Oral+History

On September 11th, 2001, four suicide attacks took place in New York City and Washington D.C. Members from the Islamist group al-Qaeda, lead by Osama bin Laden, took over four passenger flights and tried to drive them into famous and important places, such as the twin towers of the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and another place in D.C. A total of almost 3,000 people lost their lives in the greatest terrorist attack known to America. media type="youtube" key="tVo9JorURws" height="315" width="420" align="center"

At 8:46 a.m., hijackers on and American Airlines flight flew into the first building, the World Trade Center's North Tower. At 9:03 a.m., more hijackers flew another American Airlines flight into the South Tower. Both of the buildings had collapsed within two hours. These attacks are the most recognized of the attacks. One hijacked plane purposefully crashed near Shanksville, Pennsylvania because the passengers had fought back to the hijackers. After crew and passengers realized that other planes had been crashed into buildings, the passengers tried to regain control of the airplane, but instead, the terrorists intentionally crashed it before the passengers could fully regain control. . media type="youtube" key="J0Qu6eyyr4c" height="315" width="420" align="center"

Some passengers onboard the planes were able to make __phone__ calls and they provided details of the hijackers. Mace, tear gas, and/or pepper spray were used by the hijackers to blind or disorient the passengers and crew members. Reports show that crew members and passengers had been stabbed or killed by the hijackers. The terrorists had come prepared and bought multi-function hand tools and knives and blades; some of them even had fake bombs to trick the passengers into thinking that they were armed and dangerous. media type="youtube" key="bEzMVmotI7E" height="315" width="420" align="center"

QUESTIONS: 1. Can you describe where you were when you heard about the 9/11 incident? When did you hear about the attacks and how?

2. What was your immediate response to the attack? Did you fear another attack, one maybe near yourself?

3. What was the coverage of the media like during the attacks? How did the __news__ deal with the mass hysteria of the general public?

4. How was everyday life affected by the incident?

5. Did America immediately change airport security and other securities? Were there any immediate reactions from the government?

6. How long were you personally in shock?

7. What impact does 9/11 have on today? How do you feel about increased TSA security and the Ground Zero event?

Mr. Georgeson's Answers 1. Can you describe where you were when you heard about the 9/11 incident? When did you hear about the attacks and how?

I was here, at school. At about 8:00, prior to the start of school, someone mentioned that a plane had hit the twin towers in NYC. Of course, the last thing I thought of was that it was intentional. Terror was not a first thought at that time for me. But, as the morning went on, we heard more and more about it. I had a student whose parent worked in NYC and they of course were very concerned. There were others who had the same worry about a parent, relative, friend.

2. What was your immediate response to the attack? Did you fear another attack, one maybe near yourself?

My first response was not thinking it could be that well planned out. Three planes all with the same mission seemed unlikely. But, coincidence was not mathematically possible. So, I knew after hearing reports as to the extent of the attacks, that it was deliberate. I did not fear another attack. I had confidence in the government to take care of the threat. And, all planes were grounded.

3. What was the coverage of the media like during the attacks? How did the news deal with the mass hysteria of the general public?

Constant and wall to wall. Some reporters were emotional. Some programs began as a result of the attack (ON-POINT, a public radio show, for one.) They repeated a lot and played graphic pictures over and over again, especially when the towers came down.

4. How was everyday life affected by the incident?

Truthfully, not much. I think people stopped going out much and we were encouraged to continue normal life patterns as to not do so would give a larger victory to the terrorists. They would win if we got scared and stopped living our lives.

5. Did America immediately change airport security and other securities? Were there any immediate reactions from the government?

I did not fly for a while after that. I think there were immediate measures taken but I was not aware of them personally. The government, verbally, was on the attack. They said things like “we will find you and kill you (the terrorists) and I am not sure of the quote but the president stood on Ground 0 and made a statement about how we would avenge our losses. 6. How long were you personally in shock?

I think it took about a week to get over the disbelief that this could happen. But, I am still in shock that anyone or group would intentionally kill one person, let alone thousands. I am basically non-violent, so this type of violence shocks me always. It is really still happening today, maybe on a smaller scale. The threat has not been taken away.

7. What impact does 9/11 have on today? How do you feel about increased TSA security and the Ground Zero event?

I really don’t mind well thought out security. Some of what is being done does not seem like it would matter too much in protecting us from this type of attack. I also think we have become lax and allowed holes in our security. We talk big but don’t always want to spend money to make it good. The biggest impact to me is that a segment of the population is being singled out as being responsible for the attacks. In WWII, Japanese Americans, even though they were Americans, were spotted out because of being Japanese, our enemy. Jews get singled out, and now, even in America, Muslims get singled out. Right after 9/11, Muslims lived in fear even though they had nothing to do with it. The only other thing to me is that we tend to forget. It is long ago (not that long) and therefore we move on to new things. Not that we should dwell on that event forever, but there were lessons that were learned, or should have been learned, from it. Right after the attack, it seemed America came together. Congressmen stood together. But, how together are we now? Not much. I thought the event of 9/11 could have helped us grow into something better. I think sometimes it has produced distrust and division among us as citizens as well as the people who are elected to lead us. We are now a country divided and won’t solve any problems until we UNITE. (My opinion.)

Interview with Mr. Keily media type="youtube" key="n7KXOKnqf2o" height="315" width="560"

Reflection Reading and listening to Mr. Georgeson and Mr. Keily's interviews gave us greater depth in our knowledge. The information we retrieved from them is what you couldn't have found on the internet, they were first person narratives of their story during the attack. From both interviews we heard a similar thing, they were in shock for a while and couldn't over the fact that Americans were attacked on American soil.

Many things were learned from this incident. Airport security increased dramatically, and public hysteria grew in large cities. Both interviewees expressed their sympathy for all the Muslims that were hit hard and blamed for this tragedy. Mr. Georgeson believed that the right after the incident, America came together and stood united and now that is not the case. The speech that he also recorded about the parent of a victim of 911, reminded us all the victims of this tragedy and how it has changed their lives forever.