Timeline of Terrorism Julie L. Period 6 World History H

What is terrorism? The illegal use or threatened use of weapon of mass destruction or any other violence by a person or an organized group against people or property with the intention of intimidating or coercing societies or governments, often for religious or political reasons.

September 5, 1872: Munich Massacre In Munich, Germany in 1972, Eight Palestinian terrorists from the group called Black September, killed two members of the Israeli Olympic team and then took nine others hostage. This horrifying event ended by a gunfight that left five of the terrorists and all of the nine hostages dead. After a failed rescue attempt by West German authorities, nine of the hostages die along with five of the hostage-takers. Motive: The Black September’s wanted 200 Arab prisoners released and also wanted a safe passage while leaving from Germany.

: Lebanon Thirty US and other Western hostages were kidnapped in Lebanon by a terrorist group called Hezbollah. David Dodge, the president of the American University in Beirut, was kidnapped while he was on his way home from work. He was released, but he was kidnapped again. His second kidnapping was when he was killed. His murder was called the most terrifying abduction, torture, and killing of an United States citizen. The terrorists videotaped his torture and murder. Motive: Terrorists in Lebanon capture hostages either to threaten others and or to show what the dominant opinion should be considered based on their governments.

April 18, 1983: Truck Bombing of U.S. Embassy On April 18, 1983 in Beirut Lebanon a large car filled with explosives is driven into the U.S. Embassy compound in Beirut. When it explodes it kills 63 people. Including the terrorist and 17 Americans. A group of terrorists called the Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility. Motive: The terrorist attack motive was to protest of the U.S. military presence in Lebanon.

February 26, 1993: WTC Bombing A group of Muslim terrorists, including Ramzi Yousef were arrested after a van filled with explosives and driven into the World Trade Center's underground parking garage. Six people were killed and more than 1,000 are injured in this terrorist attack. The attack was meant to have one tower explode and to have the first tower knock out the second one during it. Motive: Acting upon the disapproval of America troops in Arabia. This was a “practice run” for September 9, 2001.

September 9, 2001: WTC Bombing Al Qaeda Terrorists hijack 4 domestic flights from Boston airport. Two of these planes crashed into the World Trade Center causing them to collapse. The third flight crashes into the Pentagon, and the last one crashed in Pennsylvania. Motive: Osama bin Laden wanted to express anger about the existed American troops in Arabia.

December 22, 2001: Shoe Bomber On December 22, 2001, Richard Reid, a british citizen, attempted to use a weapon of mass destruction. Ried had explosives hidden within his shoes while on a Northwest Airline Flight. Ried was caught by crew and passengers while trying to light his shoes. Before Ried could light it up, passengers and crew tied him down to his seat and using a tranquilizer. All passengers landed in Boston safely. Reid was arrested and pleaded guilty in October 2002, serving a life sentence. Motive: Reid did not recognize the U.S. legal system and was a disciple of Al Qaeda leader, Osama bin Laden.

September 3, 2004: Beslan Massacre In Beslan, Russia on September 3, 2004 Chenchen terrorists invaded a school, resulting in killing 383 people, 172 of them were children. The Terrorists covered the entire school with grenades, explosives, wired explosives, and much more. Within the 3 day hostage, Terrorists were using children as shields from snipers and tortured others. Several rescue workers and soldiers were killed trying to rescue the children. The massacre ended with several killed including the terrorists. Motive: Wanted recognition of the Independence of Chechnya.

June 4, 2008: Christopher Paul On June 4, 2008 in Ohio, Christopher Paul an Al Qaeda member of the terrorist group was arrested for planning to use weapon of mass destruction on the American citizens. Paul was considered guilty due to his recorded actions captured by the FBI. Motive: Al Qaeda did not agree on having American troops in Arabia.

June 22, 2009: Underwear Bomber With plastic explosives sewn into his undergarments, Umar Farouk Abdulmutallab, the "Underwear Bomber," tried to blow up Northwest Airlines flight 253, as it was close to Detroit, Michigan, from Amsterdam. After smelling a foul odor and saw smoke from him trying to ignite the bomb, passengers and crew jumped on the suspect and extinguished the flame. Abdulmutallab was arrested afterwards. Umar Farouk AbdulmutallabAbdulmutallab Motive: Abdulmutallab was connected to the terrorist group called Al Qaeda. Motives included political disagreements.Abdulmutallab

September 11, 2012:Benghazi Attack On September 11, 2013, in Benghazi, Libya, Ambassador Christopher Stevens and 5 other Americans were killed in a blazing fire set by a linked terrorist group similar to Al Qaeda. During the night, Stevens and Sean Smith were a safe room in a building. The attackers shot gunfire and grenades towards the buildings. The attackers were then able to set the building on fire, where 4 other Americans, Smith, and Stevens were killed. Attackers Motive: The vengeance of the killing of Abu Yahya al- Libiin Pakistan three months prior to this.

April 15, 2013: Boston Marathon Bombing In Boston, Massachusetts on April 15, two bombs exploded near the finish line of the Boston Marathon killing 3 people and injured over 180 others. Dzhokar Tsarnaev and his older brother Tamerlan Tsarnaev were identified as the main suspects. The two brothers were also suspected of the shooting of a police officer in Cambridge. The Tsarnevs were believed to be involved in Russian extremist groups. Tamerlan Tsarnaev was killed after a shootout with the police. Dzhokar Tsarnaev was captured in Watertown, Massachusetts. Dzhokar was pleaded not guilty. Motive: Was influenced by Islamic extremist groups.

Reflection Through the Terrorism Unit, I have learned that terrorism does not have only one meaning. From the definition that I gave given you, “ The illegal use or threatened use of weapon of mass destruction or any other violence by a person or an organized group against people or property with the intention of intimidating or coercing societies or governments, often for religious or political reasons,” I have learned that there are over a million ways to describe it. I also learned that terrorism is not only specifically spread from only towards the Middle East countries, but also all around the world. From suicide bombs, shootings, hijacks, kidnapping and much more, terrorism can happen at anywhere, any time, and to any one. Through the unit I learned numerous of terrorist events all around the world that I have never heard from before. I have come to a realization that I must be more aware of this serious situation that is occurring around the world.

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