2011 Patriot Day

On September 11, 2001, 19 militants associated with the extremist group al-Qaeda hijacked four jet airliners and carried out suicide attacks against targets in the United States.

Background Information

• Two planes were flown into

the towers of the World Trade Center in New York City.

• A third plane hit the Pentagon just outside Washington, D.C.

• A fourth plane crashed in a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

• Often referred to as 9/11, the attacks resulted in extensive death and destruction.

•Over 3,000 people were killed during the attacks on September 11, 2001, including more than 400 police officers and firefighters.

• The attacks triggered major U.S. initiatives to combat world-wide terrorism.

In memory of those who died in the

September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks,

each September 11th is designated as

*Patriot Day.* This year marks the tenth

anniversary of the tragic events which changed all

our lives in both subtle and dramatic ways.