You have to remember that there was no social media on the scale it is now, so the movement of information was a bit slower.
The first I heard was someone in the office where I worked said that a friend of hers in a London bank reported a plane had crashed into the World Trade Centre, where this bank had an office. At that moment in time it was thought an accident. We switched on the news but not much was known about the crash but the scenes were unbelievable. The huge plume of smoke coming out of the building was an awful sight.
As we were watching the news on a live feed, a second plane hit the other tower and it was clear this was not accident but a deliberate attack. I could not believe that someone would deliberately fly a plane into a building.
The events that followed will never leave my mind. The horror of what happened to those people in the planes, to the people in the various buildings. It was unbelievable and so terribly, terribly sad.
It might help you to look at the news coverage on YouTube. You can see hours of what was broadcast at the time and how the story unfolded.
Also, search on YouTube for the name Rick Rescorla. The documentary on him as the man who foresaw the attacks will help your research I think.
Alex,
I was in 7th grade, and 13 or 14 at the time.
I mostly remember confusion and horror as I watched the footage.
When I first heard about it, I was in the hallway going from 3rd to 4th period class (math to history), and I heard people whispering. In history, we just sat and watched the news.
There were so many conflicting stories going around my school during that first hour, no one knew what was real. After about hour 2, most of us knew what had gone on.
They school forced teachers to turned off the school TVs after about an hour, as they didn't want us to be distracted. It didn't work, though.
It wasn't until I got home and discussed it with my parents that they made me think about the political ramifications and fallout.
I heard of the first plane hitting as I was leaving my office to teach my first class of the day. I stopped to reminisce about the Army plane that hit the Empire State Building when I was six years old. As I entered the classroom building someone shouted a second plane had hit, and I said "Oh my God, it's deliberate!"
Later all classes were cancelled for the day, and as I was about to walk home I heard the first building fall from about 7 or 8 miles away. Watched the rest on TV
I am in the UK and was living at the time in a small Lincolnshire town known for Antiques called Horncastle. I was in town and was going for a walk by the river when a sudden urge made me return home and I had a strong feeling to turn on the TV. I was in time to see the second aircraft strike the building. The first aircraft was wedged in the building and I could see things (people and luggage?) falling from the aircraft. My first impression was it was a disaster movie and I was going to turn over,then the hushed tones of the BBC announcer told me it was real.
What did I think ? I am not an emotional person. I dont get upset easy. I think I quickly accepted it for what it was.It seemed it was obvious it was a terrorist attack of some kind.
I do get upset and frustrated by the too many people who try to show it was a fake. I am living proof it really did happen.
I was in work when it happened, boss had the TV on when the news reports came in. Tragic accident or so we thought until reports and footage came in of the second plane hitting. Disbelief horror sadness then I realized it was a war and was ready for any bastard to try something.
At first I couldn't believe it, I heard rumours then all internet news sites were down. I thought it was a hoax, I went to the car radio but there was just pop music etc on. When I went back to a bike forum there was a guy posting from home describing the events, then I realised it was definitely real.
When I heard both towers were down and there was a big death toll, I was just shocked and angry.
I saw it come on the tv as a news flash, when I first saw it I thought it was a feature film but soon realised that was not so. It was horrible but compelling to watch. When people were jumping to escape the fire it was really sad, but sadness soon changed to anger and I thought I hope you lot get what's coming. Sure enough Bin Laden was quite rightly executed, and good riddance to him I say.
Hope that helps.
I was at work. Everyone was gathered around the t.v. At first I was shocked, soon sadness and anger overtook me. I was then optimistic that Bush would bring justice for the victims and their families. I recall that being the last time our nation was gathered so close.
why did NORAD stand down?
who issued the order to Stand Down?
some guys, most of who are still alive, with box cutters and not enough flight training hijacked all those planes and flew them better than united states air force decorated combat fighter jet pilots with thousands and thousands of combat flight hours?
ever look up the name Tim Osman? he was a CIA asset....officially.
ever look up Ptech Inc.? what did they do?
what about operation able danger?
those two topics never got much mainstream media attention.
ever hear about our governments little thing called: "Continuity of Government"?
look that up.
USMC General Smedley D. Butler (Americas most decorated soldier EVER);
“I spent 33 years and four months in active military service and during that period I spent most of my time as a high class muscle man for Big Business, for Wall Street and the bankers. In short, I was a racketeer, a gangster for capitalism. I helped make Mexico and especially Tampico safe for American oil interests in 1914. I helped make Haiti and Cuba a decent place for the National City Bank boys to collect revenues in. I helped in the raping of half a dozen Central American republics for the benefit of Wall Street. I helped purify Nicaragua for the International Banking House of Brown Brothers in 1902-1912. I brought light to the Dominican Republic for the American sugar interests in 1916. I helped make Honduras right for the American fruit companies in 1903. In China in 1927 I helped see to it that Standard Oil went on its way unmolested. Looking back on it, I might have given Al Capone a few hints. The best he could do was to operate his racket in three districts. I operated on three continents.”
anyhow.
good luck on your paper.
p.s.-
I forgot about WTC 7!
http://www.ae911truth.org/
When this dastardly act was carried out by Muslim fanatics I was watching TV and when I saw the `plane crash into the twin towers I thought it was a cut from a film, I could not believe it was happening for real.
However when the news presenter announced that the tragedy had actually happened I realised it was real and I followed the news broadcast avidly.
I am writing an essay concerning the attacks on the World Trade Centre on the 11 September 2001. However, considering I was 5, I have little recollection of those moments.
Can you please tell me any thoughts, feelings and where you were at the time?
Was it disbelief? Horror? When did you realise it was not an accident?
Any contributions are much appreciated.
Thanks
"I am writing an essay"
Obviously not.
