Today marks the 19th anniversary of the September 11th (commonly referred to as “9/11”) terrorist attacks carried out by al-Qaeda against the United States. Our hearts continue to be with those who sacrificed so much on the day of those attacks. We hope that as we continue to observe this day, we also remember the importance of asking questions and learning our shared history. This attack has not only remained the single deadliest terrorist attack in history, but also fundamentally changed the world in myriad ways.
For the past decade, eNotes has been fielding student questions about this attack and its lasting ramifications for society: from inquiries about how a small organization like al-Qaeda could bypass American security to how post-9/11 congressional legislation has fundamentally changed the rights of Americans. The following list represents several of the most popular and commonly asked questions:
- How did al-Qaeda obtain the power to carry out such a devastating attack on the US?
- Did al-Qaeda achieve its goals in the September 11th attacks?
- How were the September 11th terrorist attacks unique when compared to other terrorist attacks?
- Why did many people feel connected to the 9/11 attacks even though they were not directly affected?
- What has been the effect of the 9/11 attacks on American relations with other countries?
- How has the United States responded to terrorism after September 11, 2001?
- How did the 9/11 attacks change world outlooks in the 21st century?
Still have questions about the 9/11 attacks? Ask one of our experts to learn more.