On September 11, 2001, 19 militants associated with the extremist group al-Qaeda hijacked four jet airliners and carried out suicide attacks against targets in the United States.

Two planes were flown into the towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. A third plane hit the Pentagon just outside Washington, D.C. A fourth plane crashed in a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania. Often referred to as 9/11, the attacks resulted in extensive death and destruction.

Over 3,000 people were killed during the attacks on September 11, 2001, including more than 400 police officers and firefighters. The attacks triggered major U.S. initiatives to combat world-wide terrorism.

In memory of those who died in the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks, each September 11th is designated as * Patriot Day.* This year marks the tenth anniversary of the tragic events which changed all our lives in both subtle and dramatic ways.