Yes
I do.
No
I don’t.
Twenty-five years after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, President Donald Trump says that tragic day permanently changed the United States.
For millions of Americans old enough to remember September 11, the images remain unforgettable. Hijacked passenger aircraft struck the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, while United Airlines Flight 93 crashed in Pennsylvania after passengers and crew members fought back against the hijackers.
Nearly 3,000 people were killed.
In his proclamation marking the 25th anniversary, Trump said September 11 changed the country forever and emphasized the importance of passing the memory and lessons of that day to younger generations.
The attacks unquestionably led to sweeping changes in American life and government policy. Airport security was transformed, the Department of Homeland Security was established, military operations were launched overseas, and national attention increasingly focused on terrorism and homeland security.
September 11 also produced extraordinary examples of courage.
Firefighters, police officers, emergency personnel, ordinary citizens, and members of the military became symbols of sacrifice and service. Many first responders rushed toward danger while thousands of Americans later volunteered to serve their country in the Armed Forces.
At the same time, Americans continue debating the long-term consequences of the policies adopted after the attacks, including overseas military interventions, government surveillance, national security powers, and the balance between security and individual liberty.
A quarter-century later, an entire generation has grown up without personally remembering that September morning. For those who witnessed it, however, September 11 remains one of the defining events of modern American history.