PATRIOT DAY

SEPTEMBER 11 Marking the worst attack inflicted on our nation in American history

Patriot Day

• A day to remember and to celebrate • In memory of the nearly three thousand who died in the September 11, 2001 attacks • Referred by most Americans as “Nine eleven (9/11) day

Vocabulary

• Terrorist: A person who uses or favors terrorizing )to dominate or coerce, by intimidation) methods.

• Hijacked: To steal (something) in transit.

• Transatlantic: Crossing or extending across the Atlantic Ocean

Public Law

• October 25, 2001, U.S. House Joint Resolution 71 approved by a vote of 407-0 • President Bush designated September 11 each year as “Patriot Day” • Resolution signed into law on December 18, 2001 as Public Law 107-89 • Initially called National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for the Victims of the Terrorist Attacks on September 11, 2001 • A discretionary day of remembrance

Patriot Day

• On September 4, 2002, President Bush proclaimed September 11 as Patriot Day

Procedures

• President directs the flag of the United States be flown at half-staff • President asks Americans to observe a moment of silence beginning at 8:46 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time – Marking the first plane crash

Purpose

• Celebrate the compassion of people who stepped forward to help those they never met • Celebrate the generosity of millions of Americans who enrich our country with acts of service and kindness every day • Reflects a true demonstration of why our country stands against those who force evil upon us

The Attack

• Not just on the United States – But against the world – Against the innocent

Actions

• 19 terrorists hijacked 4 commercial jet airplanes • More than 3 thousand died – Representing 80 nations

The Timeline

• American Airlines Flight 11, a Boeing 767, was hijacked while on a transcontinental flight from Boston, MA, to Los Angeles, CA.

• Crashed into the north tower of WTC One in New York

Second

• United Airlines flight 175, Boeing 767, en route from Boston to Los Angeles. • Crashed into the South Tower of the 110 Story WTC Two • WTC Seven, a 47 story bldg, caught fire and collapsed

World Trade Center

• Seven buildings total • Built in 1970 and 1972 • International trade

The Pentagon

• American Airlines Flight 77, Boeing 757, hijacked en route from Washington Dulles Airport to Los Angeles crashed into the pentagon • The largest office building in the world

Western Pennsylvania

• United Airlines Flight 93, Boeing 757, hijacked en route from Newark, NJ to San Francisco, CA.

• Aircraft crashed in Somerset, PA • 37 Passengers (including 4 hijackers), 5 flight attendants, 2 pilots • After an hour of flight, course changed to proceed to Washington, DC (presumed intended target was the White or the Capitol Bldg • Passengers voted to regain control of the aircraft after hearing about the other crashes • “Let’s roll”

President Bush

• Implemented a comprehensive and visionary foreign policy against the international terrorism • Put the world on notice that any nation that harbors or supports terrorism will be regarded as a hostile regime.

• First retaliatory strike was with the stroke of the pen – Seized terrorist financial assets and disrupt their fundraising pipelines

“Force Protection Delta”

• Highest level of alert • FAA shut down all air traffic in the country • Any plane in the air was ordered to land at the nearest airport • All transatlantic flights were rerouted to airports in Canada • The first time in history the FAA ordered a nationwide “groundstop”

War Against Terrorism

• A different kind of war against a different kind of enemy

Coalition Forces

• President Bush and Sec of State Colin Powell built a worldwide coalition for the war against terrorism

Homeland Security

• October 8, 2001, Tom Ridge, 1 st director • Mission: develop and coordinate the implementation of a comprehensive national strategy to secure the US from terrorist threats or attacks. • Coordinates the executive branch/s efforts to detect, prepare for, prevent, protect against, respond to, and recover from terrorist attacks

“Operation Enduring Freedom”

• Began 7 October 2001 • Destroyed al-Queda’s grip on Afghanistan by driving the Taliban from power.

• Destroyed many terrorists training camps • Anyone who supports, sponsors, or does business with terrorists, will not do business with US

Terrorism

• Terrorism threatens every society. As the world takes action against it, we should address the conditions that permit the growth of such hatred and depravity. We confront violence, bigotry, and hatred even more resolutely. The United Nations’ work must continue as we address the ills of conflict, ignorance, poverty, and disease.