London Daily

Focus on the big picture.
Wednesday, Jun 17, 2026

Impact and Aftermath of 9/11 Attacks on the US and the World

On September 11, 2001, 19 terrorists hijacked four planes, leading to devastating attacks on the World Trade Centre and the Pentagon, killing 3,000 people. The US responded with invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, causing significant military and civilian casualties. The attacks led to lasting changes in US security and the creation of the Department of Homeland Security.
On September 11, 2001, 19 terrorists, mostly Saudis, hijacked four planes.

At 5:45 am in Portland Airport, Maine, Mohammed Atta and Abdul Aziz al-Omari boarded American Airlines Flight 11 to Boston, which took off at 7:59 am.

United Airlines Flight 175 took off at 8:15 am from Boston for Los Angeles with 51 passengers, nine crew members, and five hijackers.

Minutes later, American Airlines Flight 77 departed Dulles Airport outside Washington DC for Los Angeles.

United Flight 93 took off from Newark, New Jersey, for San Francisco at 8:42 am.

At 8:46 am, Flight 11 crashed into the World Trade Centre's North Tower, followed by Flight 175 crashing into the South Tower at 9:03 am.

President George Bush learned about the attacks at 9:05 am.

At 9:37 am, Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon, killing all passengers and 125 personnel.

Flight 93 crashed in Pennsylvania, failing to hit its intended target.

In total, 3,000 lives were lost. The attacks prompted President Bush to invade Afghanistan to dismantle Al Qaeda and hunt Osama Bin Laden.

The US expanded its war on terror to Iraq in 2003, resulting in the fall of Saddam Hussein.

Over 4,700 U.S. and allied troop deaths and 100,000 Iraqi civilian deaths resulted from this invasion.

The US established Guantanamo Bay in 2002 to detain terrorism suspects.

President Biden has pledged to close it, but it remains operational.

A memorial now stands at Ground Zero to honor the victims.

The attacks led to significant changes in the US government, including the creation of the Department of Homeland Security.

New legislation, such as the Patriot Act, increased security and surveillance.

The Watson Institute reports 940,000 deaths and 38 million displaced due to post-9/11 wars.

In 2022, Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri was killed by a US drone strike in Kabul.

Despite a 2020 agreement, experts believe the Taliban still maintain ties with Al-Qaeda.
Newsletter

Related Articles

0:00
0:00
Close
Health Authorities Warn of Rising Cases of Seasonal Respiratory Illnesses
BAE Systems and Rolls-Royce Advance Multi-Nation Fighter Aircraft Programme
National Archives Publish Declassified Documents on Cold War Energy Security Planning
British Retail Spending Rises Despite Continuing Cost-of-Living Pressures
Wales Launches Social Housing Pilot to Address Affordability Pressures
British Energy Companies Commit £5 Billion to Geothermal and Hydrogen Projects
Northern Ireland Debates Cross-Border Healthcare Partnership With the Republic of Ireland
UK Establishes National Artificial Intelligence Safety Centre With Leading Universities
UK Reports Decline in Small Boat Crossings After Expanding Intelligence Cooperation With France
Scottish Parliament Launches Inquiry Into Delays to Renewable Energy Projects
National Crime Agency Dismantles Alleged Multi-Million-Pound Money Laundering Network in London
Transport Strikes Disrupt Rail and Bus Services Across Northern England
United Kingdom and European Union Open New Security Dialogue on Defense and Border Cooperation
Bank of England Holds Interest Rates at 5% as Services Inflation Remains Elevated
UK Government Unveils Major National Health Service Reform Focused on Decentralization and Performance Funding
Government Advances New Airport Slot Rules to Ease Airline Operating Constraints
BBC Opens Flagship Science-Fiction Franchise to Competitive Production Bids
Chancellor Meets City Leaders Amid Concerns Over Gilt Market Liquidity
Rathbones Shares Fall Seventeen Percent After Regulatory Review Reveals Compliance Failings
United Kingdom Joins Group of Seven Initiative Using Artificial Intelligence and Quantum Computing for Cancer Research
Parliament Debates Doubling Tax Allowance for Pensioners After Major Public Petition
Measles Cases Exceed Seven Hundred in London and the West Midlands
British Military Leadership Faces Parliamentary Scrutiny After Defence Secretary's Sudden Resignation
House of Lords Begins Debate on Steel Industry Nationalisation Legislation
Parliament Advances Bill to Abolish NHS England and Create Single Patient Records
Parliament Fast-Tracks National Security Bill to Expand Powers Against Foreign Threats
United Kingdom and European Union Set July Summit to Deepen Post-Brexit Cooperation
United Kingdom Imposes Seventy New Sanctions on Russia and Expands Support for Ukraine's Nuclear Sector
United Kingdom Announces Social Media Ban for Children Under Sixteen
0British Government Investigates Reports of Russian Warship Firing Warning Shots Near Isle of Wight
UK Supreme Court Revises Legal Definition of Deprivation of Liberty
King’s Birthday Honours Recognise Contributions Across Science, Culture and Public Service
UK Ministry of Defence Reports Interdiction of Russian Shadow Fleet Vessel
UK and US Launch Joint Regulatory Programme for Medicines and Healthcare Products
Solicitor General Refers Murder Sentence to Court of Appeal Under Unduly Lenient Scheme
UK Launches £1.6 Million Mobile Museum Initiative to Expand Cultural Access
Judicial Pay Structure Undergoes Government Review Following Senior Recommendations
Government Confirms Nearly 180 New Youth Hubs Across the United Kingdom
UK Government Expands Careers Support Through Partnership with LinkedIn
Digital News Report Highlights Growing Global Concern Over AI and Information Overload
UK Chancellor Reaffirms Fiscal Discipline and Borrowing Reduction Strategy
UK Government Invests £219 Million in Sustainable Aviation Fuel Development
Rolls-Royce Small Modular Reactors Secures Major Swedish Export Contract
Government Confirms Locations for Nearly 180 Youth Hubs Across Great Britain
UK Government Partners with LinkedIn to Expand Employment Support Services
Reuters Institute Report Flags Rising Public Anxiety Over News and Information Overload
UK Government Commits £219 Million to Expand Sustainable Aviation Fuel Industry
Chancellor Convenes Market Engagement Group to Assess UK Economic Outlook and Productivity Risks
Rolls-Royce Wins Multibillion-Pound Swedish Contract for Small Modular Nuclear Reactors
Government to Ban Social Media Access for Under-Sixteens Across the United Kingdom
×