September 11, 2001, entered history as the day that changed the world forever. On a sunny autumn morning, terrorists from al-Qaeda hijacked four passenger planes. Two were flown into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York, the third struck the Pentagon, and the fourth crashed in a field near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after passengers heroically resisted.
The attacks claimed 2,976 lives — civilians, first responders, and airline staff. Thousands more were injured, many with lifelong consequences. New York was plunged into ash and chaos, while the entire world stood in stunned silence.
What shook America and the world was not only the scale of the tragedy, but also the courage of ordinary people. Firefighters, police officers, medical workers, and strangers saved one another. One of the most remarkable stories is that of Michael Hingson, a blind employee who was on the 78th floor of the North Tower. His guide dog Roselle led him and several others to safety through smoke, debris, and the thunder of collapsing structures.
What followed was the largest FBI investigation in history — Operation PENTTBOM. Hundreds of agents worked around the clock, analyzing millions of pages of documents, witness statements, surveillance footage, bank transactions, phone records, visas, and the terrorists’ travel routes. Everyone contributed — from ordinary citizens to international partners.
The attacks changed everything: the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was created, airport and border security rules were dramatically tightened, and intelligence agencies were granted expanded powers. A new era of global counterterrorism began.
At the site of the destroyed towers in New York now stand the 9/11 Memorial and Museum — symbols of remembrance and mourning. In 2014, One World Trade Center, rising 541 meters high, was opened at Ground Zero, becoming a new symbol of resilience and rebirth.
Court Battles: The Fight for Truth Continues
Twenty-four years later, the United States is still seeking justice. One of the central fronts remains the legal cases surrounding the alleged involvement of foreign individuals and states.
In August 2025, the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York refused to dismiss a lawsuit by victims’ families against Saudi Arabia. Judge George B. Daniels ruled that evidence points to possible links between two Saudi nationals — Omar al-Bayoumi and Fahad al-Thumairy — and two hijackers who arrived in the U.S. in early 2000. Plaintiffs claim al-Bayoumi helped the terrorists with housing, bank accounts, and logistics.
Recently declassified 1999 video footage has been added as key evidence. In one clip, al-Bayoumi is seen in Washington, commenting on the significance of the Capitol and other landmarks — something plaintiffs argue may indicate reconnaissance.
The judge rejected Saudi Arabia’s arguments, stating that the alleged connections do not appear “coincidental” and merit a full trial. Riyadh maintains that the claims are based on “speculation and interpretation.”
In addition, a federal appeals court overturned a plea deal with Khalid Sheikh Mohammed — the alleged mastermind of the attacks — and two accomplices. The case may now proceed to a military commission. Families of victims, who have long demanded an open and fair trial, welcomed the decision.
“This is a step toward truth, accountability, and restoring trust. We are fighting not only for our loved ones but for principles,” said Brett Eagleson, head of the 9/11 Justice movement.
Memory That Never Fades
Every year on September 11, thousands gather at the New York memorial. The names of all the victims are read aloud. Moments of silence are observed at the exact times the planes struck the towers. Rescuers, survivors, and families continue to relive that day as if it were yesterday.
Twenty-four years have passed, and the world has changed. Yet September 11 remains more than a day of tragedy — it is a lesson, a memory, and a warning. As the memorial inscription reminds us: “Never Forget.”
