The Aftermath of 9/11
Tribute of Light Memorial in New York City. Photo Credit: AP Photo in Newsday Article
America After 9/11
Americans across the country shared the same heartbreak for weeks after the September 11th attacks. Thousands of New Yorkers had watched the World Trade Center collapse with their own eyes while millions of Americans watched the tragedy on live television. People trapped on the top floors of the World Trade Center jumped to their death instead of facing the raging fires engulfing the Twin Towers. Lower Manhattan was filled with smoke, debris, and rubble. In his speech on September 11, President Bush said, “The pictures of airplanes flying into buildings, fires burning, huge structures collapsing, have filled us with disbelief, terrible sadness, and a quiet, unyielding anger. These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our nation into chaos and retreat. But they have failed; our country is strong.”
President George W. Bush, his administration, and Congress were quick to respond to the attacks by passing legislation to begin the Global War on Terror. On 9/11, Bush said to Americans, “we stand together to win the war against terrorism.” While America was drowning in pain and fear, President Bush stepped up to be the leader that Americans so badly needed.
9/11 cleared out New York for weeks. Streets, restaurants, and stores were empty. Sports games, concerts, and events were all canceled. Finally, the New York Yankees broke the silence to host the Arizona Diamondbacks for the 2001 World Series. Following tradition, President Bush walked onto the field to throw the first pitch of Game 3 with the sound of fans chanting “USA, USA!” echoing through Manhattan. However, this pitch was different from any other presidents’ in the past. This pitch was a symbol of strength, unity, and healing for the country. This was an inspiring moment that brought our country together in the midst of such a tragic time.
War on Terror
“The attack took place on American soil, but it was an attack on the heart and soul of the civilized world. And the world has come together to fight a new and different war, the first, and we hope the only one, of the 21st century. A war against all those who seek to export terror, and a war against those governments that support or shelter them.” – President George W. Bush, October 2001
From September 11 and on, the top priority of President Bush and his administration was protecting America from future terrorist attacks. Bush immediately began the manhunt for Osama bin Laden. The bounty reached $25 million for any information leading to the killing or capture of the Al Qaeda leader. Congress quickly passed legislation declaring war between the U.S. and any terrorist organization.
An excerpt from Joint Resolution 62 - Introduced in the House; September 13, 2001.
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SECTION 1. DECLARATION OF WAR.
Pursuant to Article 1, section 8 of the United States Constitution, the Congress hereby declares that a state of war exists between the United States and--
(1) any entity that committed the acts of international terrorism against the United States on September 11 , 2001, or commits acts of international terrorism against the United States thereafter; and
(2) any country or entity that has provided or provides support or protection for any entity described in paragraph (1).
The President is hereby authorized and directed to employ the entire naval and military forces of the United States and the resources of the United States Government to carry on war against such entities and countries, and the Congress hereby pledges all the resources of the United States Government in order to bring the conflict to a successful termination.
Bin Laden's "Letter to America"
Osama bin Laden's "Letter to America'' was found in his hidden compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan during the U.S. soldiers raid on May 2, 2011. Bin Laden explains to his target audience of Americans why Al Qaeda attacked New York and the Pentagon, frequently citing U.S. foreign policy that the terrorist organization disagreed with. There was no date indicated on the letter so it is unknown when it was written.
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An excerpt from “Letter to America”
“The American people are the ones who choose their government by way of their own free will; a choice which stems from their agreement to its policies. Thus the American people have chosen, consented to, and affirmed their support for the Israeli oppression of the Palestinians, the occupation and usurpation of their land, and its continuous killing, torture, punishment and expulsion of the Palestinians. The American people have the ability and choice to refuse the policies of their Government and even to change it if they want.
The American people are the ones who pay the taxes which fund the planes that bomb us in Afghanistan, the tanks that strike and destroy our homes in Palestine, the armies which occupy our lands in the Arabian Gulf, and the fleets which ensure the blockade of Iraq. These tax dollars are given to Israel for it to continue to attack us and penetrate our lands. So the American people are the ones who fund the attacks against us, and they are the ones who oversee the expenditure of these monies in the way they wish, through their elected candidates.”
The U.S. War and Involvement in Afghanistan
The United States responded to Al Qaeda’s attacks by invading Afghanistan to wipe out the Taliban and Al Qaeda. Leaders of Al Qaeda could not have underestimated the United States’ response to their attacks more. Bin Laden was expecting the U.S. to withdraw their troops from the Middle East or send missile attacks, similar to their response after the 1998 bombings of American embassies in Africa. Al Qaeda merely prepared for the U.S.’s backlash by clearing out their training camps.
Less than a month after 9/11, U.S. military troops dropped the first bombs in Afghanistan, beginning the war. The first phase of the war, Operation Enduring Freedom, lasted two months and mainly consisted of airstrikes on the Taliban and Al Qaeda forces in Afghanistan. From 2002 to 2008, the U.S. military focused on taking out the Taliban military and rebuilding Afghan communities. The third phase of the war consisted of a counterinsurgency to eradicate any remaining Al Qaeda and Taliban terrorists. The U.S. worked to protect Afghans from terrorism as well as continue to build up their country. The Story Map below provides an explanation and timeline of the U.S. War in Afghanistan.