It was a day of thousands of deaths but the city rose together and united against a common enemy on September 11, 2001.
Almost two decades have passed since one of the horrific events in history occurred in the US, in which thousands lost their lives, and it still haunts the nation. On September 11, 2001, 2,996 died, including 19 hijackers. Of those, 2,606 were killed at the World Trade Centre and the surrounding area. The death and decimation are not all that came out of the havoc those terrorists created.
It was also a moment where ordinary people came together on ground zero to save their fellow men. From first responders to ordinary citizens, everyone came together to make a difference that day and the days to come.
The city of New York has not been able to forget the terrorizing incident that occurred 18 years ago when two planes crashed into the North and South towers of the World Trade Center complex in Lower Manhattan.
In less than two hours, both the towers collapsed and that killed and injured thousands.
People working in the building and emergency response teams lost their lives in the destruction too.
Even hardy firemen of New York couldn't keep their emotions from brimming over that day.
Father Mychal Fallon Judge, Franciscan friar and a chaplain to the New York City Fire Department, was officially the first victim of the attacks.
Not just humans, but many members of the K-9 units were also on ground zero helping get people out of debris. Those dogs got injured in service too.
The mass grief that ripped the country that day has lived on in the minds of people. Many children had to grow up without their parents. To think they bid them goodbye in the morning, not knowing it was the last time they'd ever see them... It's unimaginable pain.
This year, New York City will be honoring those who fell that day with the Tribute in Light.
The 18th anniversary of 9/11 is less than a week away. In preparation of our commemoration, we will be testing Tribute in Light this evening. If you are in New York City be sure to look up for a special glimpse.https://t.co/iVX02HI2jR #TributeinLight #Honor911 pic.twitter.com/0n6RGnyg77
— 9/11 Memorial & Museum (@Sept11Memorial) September 5, 2019
The city united in the face of a common enemy, and thousands cheered on the rescue workers, who worked tirelessly to save those stuck, even though they lost their own loved ones.
Rescue workers poured into the city to help the over-worked teams and the American flag was raised everywhere in defiance of what the massacre did to an entire nation, even the world.
Many rescue workers died years after the attack due to cancer, but their names will not be added to the tally of those who died on 9/11 even though their deaths were related to that. Almost 200 people have died due to illnesses caused by the attacks, according to BBC.
References:
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-43498200
https://edition.cnn.com/2013/07/27/us/september-11-anniversary-fast-facts/index.html
