ABSTRACT
On September 11, 2001, lives in the United States would be changed forever when four hijacked planes took Americans' feelings of security and invincibility away. This was confirmed with planes hitting and destroying the World Trade Center and partially damaging the Pentagon. The last hijacked plane, which departed from Newark, New Jersey, crashed in rural Somerset County, Pennsylvania. This day of infamy demonstrated America's vulnerability to terrorist attacks. These attacks brought about an unprecedented stoppage of U.S. air travel and closure of all U.S. stock exchanges. Suddenly, bomb scares and bridge and tunnel closures became regular occurrences in New York City and across the nation. Nearly 3,000 civilians lost their lives due to this act, with the brunt of the losses in New York. Although this act of terror replaced the feeling of security with fear, Americans and New Yorkers especially showed resilience by going on with their daily lives. In the face of adversity, Americans responded with courage and determination, and above all, unity. 1
