TRƯỜNG ĐẠI HỌC THƯƠNG MẠI

KHOA MARKETING

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SUBJECT : ENGLISH 3

TOPIC
IMPORTANT HISTORICAL EVENTS AND FIGURES

Group : 5
Lecturer : Mrs. Trần Anh Thư
Class : 231_ENTH1611_07

Ha Noi, 2023
 CONTENTS
CHAPTER I - INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................3
CHAPTER II - BACKGROUND........................................................................................................4
2.1 Overview of the Twin Towers (World Trade Center).................................................................4
2.2 Al-Qaeda and Osama bin Laden...................................................................................................4
2.2.1 Al-Qaeda.....................................................................................................................................4
2.2.2 Osama bin Laden........................................................................................................................4
2.2.2.1 Bin Laden’s Extremist Roots...............................................................................................4
2.2.2.2 The Attacks of 9/11..............................................................................................................5
CHAPTER III - TIMELINE OF EVENTS.........................................................................................6
3.1 Morning of September 11, 2001.....................................................................................................6
3.1.1 American Airlines Flight 11.......................................................................................................6
3.1.2 United Airlines Flight 175..........................................................................................................6
3.2. Response and confusion..................................................................................................................7
3.2.1 Initial emergency response.........................................................................................................7
3.2.2 Evacuation of the Twin Towers..................................................................................................7
3.2.3 Communication breakdowns......................................................................................................8
CHAPTER IV - CASUALTIES AND DAMAGE..............................................................................9
4.1 Human toll........................................................................................................................................9
4.1.1 Number of lives lost....................................................................................................................9
4.1.2 Injuries and long-term health effects..........................................................................................9
4.2 Economic impact..............................................................................................................................9
4.2.1 Destruction of the Twin Towers.................................................................................................9
4.2.2 Damage to surrounding buildings.............................................................................................10
4.2.3 Impact on the financial sector...................................................................................................10
CHAPTER V - COMMEMORATION AND REMEMBRANCE.................................................11
5.1 Annual observance of 9/11...........................................................................................................11
5.2 Building of memorials at Ground Zero......................................................................................12
CHAPTER VI - INVESTIGATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF PERPETRATORS.............13
6.1 Identification of the hijackers.......................................................................................................13
6.2 Tracing the origins of the plot......................................................................................................13
CHAPTER VII - CONCLUSION......................................................................................................14
SOURCES.............................................................................................................................................15

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 GROUP MEMBERS

Mùi Hạ Linh ( Leader ) 21D120117 Chapter IV

Lê Khánh Linh 21D120021 Chapter II ( 2.2.2 )

Phạm Thị Trà My 21D120517 Chapter III ( 3.2 )

Hoàng Thị Tuyết Linh 21D120222 Chapter VI

Bùi Hoài Linh 21D120256 Chapter I + II ( 2.1 ) + VII

Nguyễn Khánh Linh 21D220123 Chapter III ( 3.1 )

CHAPTER I - INTRODUCTION

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 On September 11, 2001, 2,977 people were killed in the deadliest terrorist attacks in
American history.

The moment shocked the nation. Two planes, hijacked by Islamic jihadists vowing
death to all Americans, plowed into both towers at the World Trade Center in New
York. Another plane was flown into the Pentagon in Washington, DC. A fourth plane,
presumably headed for the White House or the U.S. Capitol, was heroically diverted
by passengers and ended up crashing in an empty field in Pennsylvania. After reports
of the first plane hitting the North Tower, millions watched the second plane hit the
South Tower on live television.

It was a terrifying, startling, and humbling event for the country. The 9/11 attacks
were the deadliest on American soil since the shock attack at Pearl Harbor 60 years
before, and the sense of outrage was reminiscent of that moment. The attacks in New
York occurred in the country’s busiest city on a busy workday. The staggered nature
of the attacks meant that news footage captured almost everything, ensuring that
millions of Americans saw the events precisely as they unfolded.

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 CHAPTER II - BACKGROUND

2.1 Overview of the Twin Towers (World Trade Center)

The Twin Towers were the centerpieces of the World Trade Center complex. At 110
stories each, 1 WTC (North Tower) and 2 WTC (South Tower) provided nearly 10
million square feet of office space for about 35,000 people and 430 companies. They
were the tallest buildings in New York City, and for a brief period upon their
completion, they were the tallest buildings in the world. They attracted roughly 70,000
tourists and commuters every day.

2.2 Al-Qaeda and Osama bin Laden

2.2.1 Al-Qaeda
Al-Qaeda, Arabic al-Qāʿidah (“the Base”), is a broad-based militant Islamist
organization founded by Osama bin Laden in the late 1980s.

Al-Qaeda began as a logistical network to support Muslims fighting against the

Soviet Union during the Afghan War; members were recruited throughout the Islamic
world. When the Soviets withdrew from Afghanistan in 1989, the organization
dispersed but continued to oppose what its leaders considered corrupt Islamic regimes
and foreign (i.e., U.S.) presence in Islamic lands. Based in Sudan for a period in the
early 1990s, the group eventually reestablished its headquarters in Afghanistan (c.
1996) under the patronage of the Taliban militia.

2.2.2 Osama bin Laden

Osama bin Laden—also known as Usama bin Laden—was a violent terrorist and
mass murderer who used bombings and bloodshed to advance his extremist goals.
After founding the terrorist organization al Qaeda, he engineered a series of attacks
in multiple countries that killed thousands of men, women, and children, often
ordinary c citizens just going about their daily lives.

2.2.2.1 Bin Laden’s Extremist Roots.

Born in 1957 in Saudi Arabia, bin Laden was the son of a wealthy Saudi businessman.
Following the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan in late 1979, bin Laden began
providing financial and logistical support to the Islamic fighters battling the Soviets.

In 1988, after Soviet forces were defeated and withdrew from Afghanistan, bin Laden
founded an organization called al Qaeda, or “the Base,” to continue the cause of jihad
(holy war) through violence and aggression.

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 During this time, bin Laden was becoming increasingly hostile to the United States.
In particular, he opposed the U.S. military presence in Saudi Arabia and Somalia and
sought to drive our nation’s personnel out of these areas by force.

After centering his operations in Sudan in the early 1990s, bin Laden began
formulating plans to attack the West with an evolving, deadly new brand of jihad.

Bin Laden and other members of al Qaeda also began issuing fatwas—rulings on
Islamic law—indicating that attacks on the U.S. and its citizens were both proper and
necessary. Bin Laden later openly declared war on the United States.

2.2.2.2 The Attacks of 9/11

During the attacks of 9/11, bin Laden and al Qaeda plotted to attack America in a
more direct and deadly way.

On October 10, 2001, Osama bin Laden was added to the newly-launched Most
Wanted Terrorists List. The U.S. and other nations joined military operations in
Afghanistan to find him and other al Qaeda terrorists, but bin Laden managed to elude
capture.

In August 2010, U.S. intelligence agencies developed information that Osama bin
Laden was likely living in a compound in northern Pakistan. On May 2, 2011, under
orders from President Obama, a special operations unit raided the compound and
killed bin Laden.

In announcing the successful operation, President Obama said, “Bin Laden was not a
Muslim leader; he was a mass murderer of Muslims. Indeed, al Qaeda has slaughtered
scores of Muslims in many countries, including our own. So his demise should be
welcomed by all who believe in peace and dignity.”

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 CHAPTER III - TIMELINE OF EVENTS

3.1 Morning of September 11, 2001

3.1.1 American Airlines Flight 11

Early on the morning of September 11, 2001, 19 hijackers took control of four
commercial airliners (two Boeing 757s and two Boeing 767s) en route to California
(three to LAX in Los Angeles, and one aircraft to SFO in San Francisco) after taking
off from Logan International Airport in Boston (Massachusetts)
The four flights include :
American Airlines Flight 11
United Airlines Flight 175
American Airlines Flight 77
United Airlines Flight 93

3.1.1.1 Departure and hijacking

7:59 AM – Flight 11 takes off from Boston, headed for Los Angeles, California.
There are 76 passengers, 11 crew members, and 5 hijackers on board.
8:19 AM – A flight attendant on Flight 11, Betty Ann Ong, alerts ground personnel
that a hijacking is underway and that the cockpit is unreachable.
8:37 AM – After hearing the broadcast from Atta on Flight 11, Boston air traffic
control alerts the US Air Force’s Northeast Defense Sector, who then mobilize the Air
National Guard to follow the plane.

3.1.1.2 Crash into the North Tower

8:46 AM – Flight 11 crashes into the World Trade Center’s North Tower. All
passengers aboard are instantly killed, and employees of the WTC are trapped above
the 91st floor.
10:28 AM – The North Tower of the World Trade Center collapses.

3.1.2 . United Airlines Flight 175

3.1.2.1. Departure and hijacking
8:15 AM – United Airlines Flight 175 takes off from Boston, also headed for Los
Angeles. There are 51 passengers, 9 crew members, and 5 hijackers on board.

3.1.2.2 Crash into the South Tower

9:03 AM – Flight 175 crashes into the WTC’s South Tower. All passengers aboard
are killed instantly and so are an unknown number of people in the tower.

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3.2. Response and confusion

3.2.1. Initial emergency response

Immediately following the collapse of the Twin Towers on September 11, 2001, an
initial emergency response was launched to provide immediate assistance and support.
Here are some key elements of the initial emergency response to the World Trade
Center (WTC) attacks:
3.2.1.1 Command and control.
Incident command systems were established to enabling effective communication,
resource allocation, and decision-making. They used trained dogs, sonar equipment,
and specialized tools to locate and extricate survivors.

3.2.1.2 Search and rescue operations

Specialized search and rescue teams, including urban search and rescue (USAR)
teams, were deployed to search for survivors in the debris.

3.2.1.3 Medical treatment and triage

Medical personnel set up triage areas to quickly evaluate and prioritize medical care
for the injured, providing immediate treatment on-site and coordinating transportation
to hospitals based on the severity of injuries.

3.2.1.4 Establishing a perimeter and securing the area

Law enforcement agencies, including the police and National Guard, secured the
affected area to ensure public safety, control access, and prevent unauthorized entry.

3.2.1.5 Support services

Other support services, such as mental health counseling, family assistance centers,
and logistical support, were provided to help affected individuals, families, and
responders cope with the aftermath of the attacks.

3.2.2 Evacuation of the Twin Towers

Emergency personnel, including firefighters, police, and emergency medical teams,

worked quickly to evacuate survivors from the buildings and provide urgent medical
care. They prioritized the safe removal of people from the collapsing towers, utilizing
available resources and expertise to rescue individuals trapped in the rubble.

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 Roughly 99% of people on floors below the impacts managed to evacuate
successfully. For those who didn't, the factors linked to their deaths included delaying
their evacuation, performing emergency response duties, or being unable to leave their
particular floor because of damage or debris. Had the buildings been fully occupied,
the consequences would undoubtedly have been even worse.

3.2.3 Communication breakdowns

After the Twin Towers collapsed on September 11, 2001, there were several
communication breakdowns that hampered the emergency response and coordination
efforts.
3.2.3.1 Loss of communication infrastructure.
The collapse of the towers caused significant damage to communication
infrastructure, including cell towers, landlines, and radio communication systems,
leading to disrupted or limited communication channels.

3.2.3.2 Unavailability of communication channels

With the increased volume of emergency calls, the telephone lines quickly became
overwhelmed, making it difficult for individuals to reach emergency services or for
emergency responders to coordinate their efforts effectively.

3.2.3.3 Lack of Coordination and Information sharing.

Due to limited communication capabilities, there were challenges in coordinating
response efforts between different agencies, such as fire departments, police, and
medical teams. This led to delays in sharing critical information and hindered the
overall emergency response.

3.2.3.4. Difficulty in communicating with victims and survivors.

The collapse of the Twin Towers made it challenging for individuals trapped or
injured to communicate with rescue teams outside. The noisy and chaotic
environment, along with impaired communication systems, posed significant
challenges in locating and rescuing survivors.

The collapses resulted in the loss of thousands of lives, including those aboard the
hijacked planes and those inside the buildings. They also caused extensive damage to
surrounding structures. It created a massive cloud of dust and debris that covered
Lower Manhattan and led to long-term health issues for many responders and
residents. The events of September 11, 2001, led to significant changes in national
security, foreign policies, and counterterrorism efforts worldwide.

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 CHAPTER IV - CASUALTIES AND DAMAGE

4.1 Human toll

4.1.1 Number of lives lost

In New York City, the attack on the World Trade Center's North Tower single-
handedly made 9/11 the deadliest act of terrorism in world history. Our World in Data
described it as the deadliest terrorist act in human history. Taken together, the four
crashes caused the deaths of 2,996 people (including the hijackers). The death toll
included 265 on the four planes (from which there were no survivors); 2,606 in the
World Trade Center and in the surrounding area; and 125 at The Pentagon. Most who
died were civilians; the rest included 343 firefighters, 72 law enforcement officers, 55
military personnel, and 19 terrorists. After New York, New Jersey lost the most state
citizens. More than 90 countries lost citizens in the attacks.

4.1.2 Injuries and long-term health effects

In 2007, the New York City medical examiner's office began adding people who
died from illnesses caused by exposure to dust from the site to the official death toll.
The first victim was a woman, a civil rights attorney, who died of chronic lung disease
in February 2002. In September 2009, the office added a man who died in October
2008. and in 2011, a male accountant died in December 2010.
As of 2013, the Health Authority concluded that 1,140 people who worked, lived, or
studied in Lower Manhattan at the time of the attack had been diagnosed with cancer
as a result of "toxic exposure at Ground Zero". It is known that more than 1,400
rescue workers present at the scene in the days and months after the attack were killed.
At least 11 pregnant women suffered miscarriages after that attack.

4.2 Economic impact

4.2.1 Destruction of the Twin Towers

The terrorists could not destroy the United States militarily, so they set their sights
on symbolic targets instead. The Twin Towers, as the centerpieces of the World Trade
Center, symbolized globalization and America’s economic power and prosperity. The
fires from the impacts were intensified by the planes’ burning jet fuel. They weakened
the steel support trusses, which attached each of the floors to the buildings’ exterior
walls. Along with the initial damage to the buildings’ structural columns, this
ultimately caused both towers to collapse. The five other buildings in the WTC
complex were also destroyed because of damage sustained when the Twin Towers
fell.

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 4.2.2 Damage to surrounding buildings
Other neighboring buildings (including 90 West Street and the Verizon Building)
suffered major damage but have been restored. World Financial Center buildings, One
Liberty Plaza, the Millenium Hilton, and 90 Church Street had moderate damage and
have since been restored. Communications equipment on top of the North Tower was
also destroyed, with only WCBS-TV maintaining a backup transmitter on the Empire
State Building, but media stations were quickly able to reroute the signals and resume
their broadcasts.

4.2.3 Impact on the financial sector

The attacks had a significant economic impact on the United States and world
markets. The stock exchanges did not open on September 11 and remained closed
until September 17. Reopening, the Dow Jones Industrial Average (DJIA) fell 684
points, or 7.1%, to 8921, a record-setting one-day point decline. By the end of the
week, the DJIA had fallen 1,369.7 points (14.3%), at the time its largest one-week
point drop in history. In 2001 dollars, U.S. stocks lost $1.4 trillion in valuation for the
week.
In New York City, about 430,000 job-months and $2.8 billion in wages were lost in
the first three months after the attacks. The economic effects were mainly on the
economy's export sectors. The city's GDP was estimated to have declined by $27.3
billion for the last three months of 2001 and all of 2002.

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 CHAPTER V - COMMEMORATION AND REMEMBRANCE

5.1 Annual observance of 9/11

In response to these tragic events, President George W. Bush declared September
11th as Patriot Day in 2002. The purpose of this day is to honor and remember the
victims and heroes of 9/11, including the brave first responders who risked their lives
to save others.

Every year, on Patriot Day, Americans come together to pay tribute to those who lost
their lives, express gratitude to the first responders and volunteers who helped during
the aftermath, and reflect on the importance of unity and resilience in times of crisis.

Patriot Day is an essential day of remembrance and reflection for the nation,
reminding everyone of the importance of standing together and supporting one
another during difficult times.

Here are some ways Patriot Day is observed:

Moment of Silence: Many people observe a moment of silence at 8:46 AM (Eastern

Time), the time when the first plane crashed into the World Trade Center's North
Tower. This is a time to think about those who lost their lives and show solidarity with
their families and loved ones.

Flag Display: People display the American flag at half-mast, which means it's
lowered halfway down the flagpole as a sign of mourning and respect for the victims.

Memorial Services: Across the country, there are various memorial services held to
remember the victims and honor the heroes who responded to the attacks. These
services often involve speeches, prayers, and music.

Acts of Kindness: Some people use Patriot Day as an opportunity to perform acts of
kindness and help others. It's a way to show unity and support for fellow Americans.

Learning and Education: In schools, teachers might take some time to talk about the
significance of Patriot Day and the events that took place on September 11th. It's an
opportunity to educate students about the importance of unity and resilience during
difficult times.

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 Volunteer Work: Some communities organize volunteer activities, such as helping
local first responders or participating in charity events. It's a way to give back to the
community and support those who protect and serve.

5.2 Building of memorials at Ground Zero

Over the past two decades, many buildings to commemorate the victims of the
September 11, 2001, terrorist attack have been built across the United States, with the
message: Americans will never forget that painful moment. 9/11 Memorial in New
York is one of them.
The National September 11 Memorial (also known as the 9/11 Memorial) is a
memorial in New York City commemorating the September 11 attacks of 2001. The
memorial is located at the World Trade Center site, the former location of the Twin
Towers that were destroyed during the September 11 attacks (now called Ground
Zero). It is operated by a non-profit institution whose mission is to raise funds for,
program, and operate the memorial at the World Trade Center site. The memorial was
inaugurated on September 11, 2011, exactly 10 years after the terrorist attack, and it
opened to the public the following day.

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 CHAPTER VI - INVESTIGATION AND IDENTIFICATION OF
PERPETRATORS

6.1 Identification of the hijackers

Within minutes of the attacks, the Federal Bureau of Investigation opened the largest
FBI investigation in United States history, Operation PENTTBOM. The suspects were
identified within 72 hours because few made any attempt to disguise their names on
flight and credit card records. They were also among the few non-US citizens and
nearly the only passengers with Arabic names on their flights, enabling the FBI to
identify them using such details as dates of birth, known or possible residences, visa
status, and specific identification of the suspected pilots. On September 14, three days
after the attacks, the FBI announced the names of 19 hijackers, and on September 27,
they released photos of the hijackers, along with information about their possible
nationalities and aliases. In the end, the FBI reported that there were 19 hijackers in
all.

6.2 Tracing the origins of the plot

The origins of the plot were traced back to Al-Qaeda, a terrorist organization led by
Osama bin Laden. Al- Qaeda held a radical ideology that aimed to establish a global
Islamic caliphate and combat what they perceived as Western influence and
oppression in Muslim-majority countries. The United States, being a prominent
Western power, was seen as a primary target. The investigations revealed that the
planning and coordination for the attacks took place over several years, involving
multiple individuals and locations. The plot was found to have been organized and
executed by a network of individuals with connections to Al-Qaeda, both within the
United States and abroad.

The attacks on the Twin Towers were intended to strike at the heart of American
power and symbolize a significant blow to the nation. The conspirators aimed to
create fear, chaos, and disrupt the country's political, economic, and social stability.
However, the motivations and actions of terrorist organizations are complex and
multifaceted. Factors such as political grievances, religious extremism, and a desire
for notoriety can contribute to their decision to carry out such acts of violence.

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 It is important to note that the investigations into the September 11 attacks were
complex and ongoing for an extended period of time. The information provided here
represents the general understanding based on available evidence and official reports.

CHAPTER VII - CONCLUSION

The enduring impact of the events of 9/11 serves as a somber reminder of the
profound lessons learned and the ongoing challenges in counterterrorism. It
underscores the critical importance of international cooperation, intelligence sharing,
and proactive security measures in an interconnected world. The legacy of September
11, 2001, reminds us of the resilience of nations and individuals in the face of
adversity and the need for a steadfast commitment to safeguarding global peace and
security. It compels us to honor the memory of the lives lost by working together to
prevent future acts of terror and by championing the values of freedom, tolerance, and
unity in the face of hatred and extremism.

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 SOURCES

1. The Associated Press. (2023). 9/11 memorial events mark 22 years since the
attacks and remember those who died. CBS News.
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/9-11-memorial-events-22-years-since-attack-
remember-those-who-died/

2. FOX TV Station. (2023). Patriot Day: Watch Sept. 11 live coverage from
across the country. LiveNOW from FOX.
https://www.livenowfox.com/news/patriot-day-watch-sept-11-live-coverage-
from-across-the-country

3. Twinkl. (September 18th, 2023). Patriot Day.

https://www.twinkl.com.vn/event/patriot-day-usa-2023

4. 9/11 Memorial & Museum. (September 18th, 2023). About the Memorial.
https://www.911memorial.org/visit/memorial/about-memorial

5. FBI Federal Bureau of Investigation. (2001). FBI Announces List of 19

Hijackers.
https://archives.fbi.gov/archives/news/pressrel/press-releases/fbi-announces-
list-of-19-hijackers

6. National Commission on Terrorist Attacks Upon the United States. (September

18th, 2023). The Attack Looms.
https://govinfo.library.unt.edu/911/report/911Report_Ch7.htm

7. https://www.fbi.gov/history/famous-cases/osama-bin-laden

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