About 9/11
On Sept. 11, 2001 four coordinated terrorist attacks were carried out by Al Qaeda, an Islamist extremist group based in Afghanistan. These attacks involved the hijacking of four commercial airliners. Two airliners were crashed into the towers of the World Trade Center, killing more than 2,700 men, women and children. The massive Towers were heavily damaged, ultimately resulting in their collapse. A third airliner struck the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia killing 184 people, and after passengers fought the attackers on the fourth airliner, Flight 93 crashed into an empty field in Pennsylvania killing all 40 on board.
At the time, General Tommy Franks was a Four-Star General; he had been serving as the Commander-in-Chief of the United States Central Command for just over one year. On Sept. 12, 2001 General Franks started planning and preparing for military operations in Afghanistan under the direction of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and President George W. Bush. General Franks and his team created a plan for the mission in Afghanistan to destroy Al Qaeda and remove the Taliban, utilizing coalition forces to conduct an unconventional war with special operations, air and ground forces in a manner never seen before. General Franks was heavily involved in strategic operations, but also in forming a coalition of 65 nations to fight the war on terror.
On Sept. 11, 2001 four coordinated terrorist attacks were carried out by Al Qaeda, an Islamist extremist group based in Afghanistan. These attacks involved the hijacking of four commercial airliners. Two airliners were crashed into the towers of the World Trade Center, killing more than 2,700 men, women and children. The massive Towers were heavily damaged, ultimately resulting in their collapse. A third airliner struck the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia killing 184 people, and after passengers fought the attackers on the fourth airliner, Flight 93 crashed into an empty field in Pennsylvania killing all 40 on board.
At the time, General Tommy Franks was a Four-Star General; he had been serving as the Commander-in-Chief of the United States Central Command for just over one year. On Sept. 12, 2001 General Franks started planning and preparing for military operations in Afghanistan under the direction of Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld and President George W. Bush. General Franks and his team created a plan for the mission in Afghanistan to destroy Al Qaeda and remove the Taliban, utilizing coalition forces to conduct an unconventional war with special operations, air and ground forces in a manner never seen before. General Franks was heavily involved in strategic operations, but also in forming a coalition of 65 nations to fight the war on terror.
About the Exhibit
Reflecting upon the Museum’s mission of “Leadership. Patriotism. Service.,” this exhibit brings an educational opportunity to all Americans with a view of the world before and after Sept. 11, 2001. The “9/11: Never Forget” exhibit features a 14-foot-long, 3,000-lb. steel I-beam from the World Trade Center, one of the few remaining pieces to be released from The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The interior I-beam was part of the flooring system of the World Trade Center and was damaged by the crushing force of the collapse. Flanking the steel I-beam in the exhibit are numerous multi-media displays, interactives, video, images and collections placing visitors in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001. It started as a normal day and quickly turned into a scene of destruction and despair. Walking through the exhibit, visitors travel a chronological timeline, starting at 8:30 a.m. They first see the World Trade Center before the attack and information about the building and its historical significance. Next, a New York City firefighter’s suit symbolizes the time just after the attack and the heroic rescue efforts offered by so many. Areas are also dedicated to the Pentagon and Flight 93 and our nation’s response featuring President Bush’s address, vowing that America, its friends and allies would “stand together to win the war against terrorism.” |
A transition to the Afghanistan and Iraqi exhibits in the Museum is highlighted by suits and other articles of clothing worn and donated by key leaders following Sept. 11, 2001, including the neck tie Andrew Card was wearing the morning of 9/11 when he famously whispered in President Bush’s ear, “America is under attack.”
In addition, other items are from President George W. Bush, Vice President Dick Cheney, Secretary of State Colin Powell, National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld, Senior Presidential Advisor Karl Rove and White House Chief of Staff Andy Card. Following this are exhibits featuring two strategically unprecedented campaigns, Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Videos throughout the exhibit feature stories from an array of viewpoints, highlighting feelings of loss, compassion, reckoning and recovery. These stories remind us of the deep impact of the events of Sept. 11, 2001. Visitors will see memorials honoring the nearly 3,000 men, women and children from 93 nations who perished through name listings and collection pieces, a reminder that we are all impacted when anyone is lost through a senseless act of terrorism. Learn more about the I-beam’s journey to Oklahoma. |