Key facts
- The 9/11 attacks, carried out by al Qaeda, resulted in approximately 3,000 deaths.
- The attacks led to significant changes in U.S. national security policy and prolonged wars.
- Many children of 9/11 victims have followed their parents into public service roles.
- The World Trade Center Health Program supports over 150,000 individuals affected by 9/11-related illnesses.
- New security laws and procedures were enacted in the aftermath of the attacks.
Twenty-five years after the September 11, 2001 attacks, the profound and lasting impact of the day continues to resonate across the United States. The coordinated attacks by al Qaeda militants, which saw hijacked planes crash into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, and another downed in Pennsylvania, killed approximately 3,000 people and reshaped American national security policy, leading to protracted wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
The legacy of 9/11 extends beyond geopolitical shifts, deeply affecting the lives of individuals and families. Scott Larsen, named after his father, a firefighter killed in the World Trade Center collapse, followed in his father's footsteps and joined the New York City Fire Department, seeking an assignment to the same firehouse. He is one of 58 children of FDNY firefighters who died on 9/11 to join the department.
Dr. Michael Crane, who served as medical director for Con Edison during the recovery efforts at Ground Zero, continues to oversee the World Trade Center Health Program. This government-funded program provides healthcare for 9/11-related illnesses to over 150,000 responders and survivors. As of June 30, approximately 85,000 health condition certifications have been issued, with about half related to toxic dust exposure and 30% for cancer. More than 9,000 responders tracked by the program have died since 9/11.
Michael Tuohey, a former airline customer service agent, reflects on his role in checking in two of the 9/11 hijackers for their flights. Despite a gut feeling, he did not act on it due to pre-9/11 profiling laws. His experience highlights the pre-attack intelligence failures and the subsequent revamping of airport security procedures and the creation of the Department of Homeland Security.