Remembering 9/11: Share Your Stories

It’s been 14 years since an ordinary Tuesday morning became anything but as coordinated terrorist attacks took place in three separate locations across the country.

The horror began to unfold at 8:45 a.m., Sept. 11, 2001, when a hijacked American Airlines Boeing 767, filled with 20,000 gallons of jet fuel, smashed into the World Trade City’s north tower. Any thoughts that the crash was a mere accident were erased 18 minutes later when a second plane, a United Airlines Boeing 767 crashed into the south tower.

As the eyes of America and the world were on New York City, a third plane crashed into the west side of the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., at 9:45 a.m., making it painfully clear to the nation that an attack was well under way.

As the events in New York and Washington unfolded, a fourth plane, United Flight 93, was hijacked in the air. Passengers onboard that plane retaliated, ultimately bringing it down for a crash landing in a western Pennsylvania field.

All told, 2,977 people were killed in the attacks, including more than 400 firefighters and police officers.

On this 14th anniversary of the tragedies that occurred on Sept. 11, 2001, we want to hear from you Tampa Bay.

What do you remember most about that day? How do you think the country has changed since? Share your thoughts and remembrances by commenting below. You can also share photos of observances you attend, as well.

Photo Credit: Members of the Sarasota Police Department during last year’s memorial ceremony to honor the heroes of 9/11. Photo from the Sarasota Police Department Facebook page.