At 8: 46 AM, September 11, 2011, the worst act of terrorism began to become known to the public as American Airlines Flight 11 crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York. Maybe it was just a horrible accident. Accidents happen all the time. Maybe the pilot had a heart attack or became disoriented. It is at this moment, 8:46 AM, that the worst attack of the country since Pearl Harbor unfolds, at least into the eyes of the public ( at 8:19, the flight attendants had begun to notify the ground of a hijacking). The country would never be the same again.
Some of the remembered parts of that dark day are accounts of perfect strangers helping each other survive. People of all backgrounds, creeds, color, religion, and all other "differences" find commonality in the fact that they are humans in an area under attack. As the towers collapsed and people ran to escape the toxic cloud, strangers helped each other into buildings, under cars; anywhere away from danger. Acts of selflessness shine in the dark of fear and terror.
The kindness doesn't end here though. People all around the world send cards of love and encouragement. Survivors speak out and are met with support and encouragement from all around the globe. Millions race to help by donating blood to help the victims of the attacks. For a second, we are one nation united.
One can hardly write a post about the attacks without mentioning the unfaltering bravery of the Firefighting and EMT services of the area. They risk their lives to run into the very place where people are fleeing.
In the days after the incident, legislation is passed, such as the PATRIOT Act, to combat terrorism. President George W. Bush takes the time to address the crews working at the tower rubble.
President Bush promises that the world can hear them and that justice will prevail.
Here is a quick timeline of events that have happened since the attacks.
2001- Operation Enduring Freedom commences in October with the invasion of Afghanistan. Patriot Act passed.
2002- Guantanamo Bay is opened.
2003- Iraqi War begins. Saddam Hussein is captured. Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, one of the Al-Qaeda leaders, is arrested and placed in Guantanamo. 
2006- Saddam Hussein is executed by hanging.
2009- Fort Hood Shooting.
2011- Osama Bin Laden's compound is raided and Bin Laden is killed. U.S. Forces withdraw from Iraq.
This is a very brief glance at US during the War on Terror and is by no means complete.
We must also acknowledge that the late millennial generation and younger children have grown up in an era of fear. Much like our parents and grandparents during the Cold War, we worry about the next "big thing". We aren't worrying about "the bomb" we are worrying about "the show" or "the briefcase" or "the airplane".
A common question comes out of tragic historical events
"Where were you when _______________"
Kennedy was shot? The Towers fell? The Challenger exploded? Sandy Hook happened? Columbine Happened? I could go on forever people.
In these dark times it is important to remember this quote from President Barack Obama:
