Twenty-five years after the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, the world marks a somber anniversary of one of the deadliest acts of violence in recent history. Nearly 3,000 people lost their lives that day in a coordinated series of attacks carried out by the Islamist extremist group al-Qaeda, dramatically reshaping global policies and initiating a prolonged international campaign against terrorism.

The events unfolded on the morning of September 11, 2001, beginning at 8:46 a.m. Eastern Time, when a hijacked commercial airliner crashed into the North Tower of New York City’s World Trade Center. Initially, the cause was uncertain, but less than 20 minutes later, a second plane struck the South Tower, confirming the attacks as deliberate acts of terror. Shortly after 9:30 a.m., a third hijacked plane hit the Pentagon near Washington, D.C. Meanwhile, a fourth plane, United Airlines Flight 93, crashed into a field in Pennsylvania following a passenger uprising against the hijackers, preventing it from reaching its intended target.

The death toll from the attacks stands at 2,977, which includes nearly 2,400 individuals working in the Twin Towers, all passengers and crew aboard the four aircraft, and 343 firefighters. The figure was later adjusted to include a first responder who died from health complications caused by exposure to toxic dust and fumes at the World Trade Center site.

In response, then-President George W. Bush delivered a nationally televised address nine days after the attacks, declaring a “global war on terror,” a broad campaign aimed at eradicating terrorist groups worldwide. This initiative led to the U.S. and allied military interventions in Afghanistan beginning on October 7, 2001, targeting al-Qaeda training bases as well as Taliban forces accused of sheltering terrorists.

Two years later, the United States and United Kingdom initiated a war in Iraq, which resulted in the overthrow of Saddam Hussein’s regime and continued U.S. military involvement until 2011. Additionally, the U.S. established a detention facility at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to hold terrorism suspects, including Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, who was captured in 2003 and has confessed to organizing the 9/11 attacks. His trial, along with those of other alleged conspirators, has faced repeated delays and is now scheduled for 2028 amid ongoing legal discussions about plea agreements and sentencing.

Commemorations for the 25th anniversary are planned in the United States, including a service at the 9/11 Memorial at Ground Zero in New York. However, President Donald Trump reportedly plans to attend a separate ceremony at the Pentagon, citing restrictions on speeches at the New York event. These ceremonies reflect ongoing efforts to honor the victims and reflect on the profound impact the attacks had on U.S. and global security policy.