September 11, 2001, remains a date etched in global memory. On this day, a series of coordinated terrorist attacks by al-Qaeda against the United States resulted in the loss of thousands of lives and profoundly altered the course of history. To understand the gravity of the events, it’s crucial to examine the timeline and answer the key question: What Time Did 9/11 Happen?
The Morning of September 11, 2001: A Sequence of Devastating Events
The attacks unfolded rapidly on the morning of September 11th. Four commercial airplanes were hijacked by 19 al-Qaeda terrorists. These planes were transformed into weapons, aimed at iconic American landmarks. Here’s a breakdown of the key moments and their timings, all given in Eastern Time (ET), to understand when 9/11 happened:
- 7:59 AM ET: American Airlines Flight 11, a Boeing 767, departs from Boston Logan International Airport, bound for Los Angeles. This was the first plane to be hijacked and used in the attacks.
- 8:14 AM ET: United Airlines Flight 175, also a Boeing 767, departs from Boston, en route to Los Angeles. This was the second plane to strike the World Trade Center.
- 8:42 AM ET: United Airlines Flight 93, a Boeing 757, departs from Newark International Airport in New Jersey, headed for San Francisco. This plane ultimately crashed in Pennsylvania after passenger resistance.
- 8:46 AM ET: The North Tower Impact – This is when the 9/11 attacks began to unfold publicly. American Airlines Flight 11 crashes into the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City, striking between the 93rd and 99th floors. The time was 8:46:40 AM ET.
Alt text: The North Tower of the World Trade Center ablaze after being struck by Flight 11 at 8:46 AM ET on September 11, 2001.
- 9:03 AM ET: The South Tower Strike – Seventeen minutes after the first impact, the second tower is hit. United Airlines Flight 175 crashes into the South Tower of the World Trade Center, impacting between the 77th and 85th floors. The precise time of impact was 9:03:11 AM ET. This second strike, happening live on television, confirmed to the world that this was not an accident, but a deliberate attack.
- 9:37 AM ET: The Pentagon Attack – The attacks extended beyond New York. American Airlines Flight 77, a Boeing 757, crashes into the western side of the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, just outside Washington D.C. The time of impact was 9:37:46 AM ET.
- 10:03 AM ET: Flight 93 Crash – Passengers fight back. United Airlines Flight 93, believed to be heading for the U.S. Capitol Building, crashes in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania at 10:03:11 AM ET. The heroic actions of passengers and crew prevented the hijackers from reaching their intended target.
- 9:59 AM ET: South Tower Collapse – Less than an hour after being hit, the structural integrity fails. The South Tower of the World Trade Center collapses at 9:59:04 AM ET, 56 minutes after being struck by Flight 175.
- 10:28 AM ET: North Tower Collapse – The second tower to fall. The North Tower of the World Trade Center collapses at 10:28:17 AM ET, 1 hour and 41 minutes after being struck by Flight 11.
People fleeing the collapsing World Trade Center South Tower on 9/11
Alt text: New Yorkers running from the immense dust cloud as the South Tower of the World Trade Center collapsed at 9:59 AM ET on September 11, 2001.
The Devastating Consequences of the 9/11 Attacks
The 9/11 attacks resulted in a staggering loss of life. In total, 2,977 people were killed in New York City, Washington, D.C., and Pennsylvania, not including the 19 hijackers.
- All 246 passengers and crew on the four flights perished.
- At the World Trade Center, 2,606 people died, the vast majority in the Twin Towers.
- 125 people were killed at the Pentagon.
The victims came from 77 different countries, highlighting the global impact of the tragedy. New York City also mourned the loss of 441 first responders who bravely rushed to the scene. Beyond the immediate casualties, thousands more suffered injuries or later developed illnesses related to the toxic aftermath of the attacks.
Alt text: The Ground Zero ruins of the World Trade Center, showing the devastation in the days following the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Al-Qaeda and the Mastermind Behind the Attacks
The attacks were meticulously planned and executed by al-Qaeda, an Islamist extremist network founded by Osama bin Laden. Al-Qaeda aimed to strike at the heart of American power due to their grievances against U.S. foreign policy in the Muslim world. Nineteen hijackers, many of whom had trained in flight schools within the United States, carried out the suicide missions. Khalid Sheikh Mohammed is considered the principal architect of the 9/11 plot.
The United States’ Response and the Legacy of 9/11
The U.S. response to 9/11 was immediate and far-reaching. President George W. Bush declared a “War on Terror,” leading to the invasion of Afghanistan in October 2001 to dismantle al-Qaeda and find Osama bin Laden. Bin Laden was eventually killed in Pakistan in 2011. The attacks also led to significant changes in global security measures, particularly in airport security. In the United States, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) was created to enhance aviation security.
The site of the World Trade Center, known as Ground Zero, became a symbol of resilience and remembrance. A memorial and museum now stand at the site, honoring the victims. The rebuilt World Trade Center complex, including One World Trade Center, stands as a testament to the city’s recovery.
The attacks of September 11th, specifically the question of “what time did 9/11 happen,” serve as a stark reminder of the day’s tragic timeline and its lasting impact on the world. It is a day of remembrance, reflection, and a call for continued vigilance against terrorism.
Osama Bin Laden
September 11 attacks
New York City
al-Qaeda
United States
