On 11 September 2001, four passenger planes were hijacked in the United States by members of the terrorist organisation Al-Qaeda. Two planes crashed into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York, one hit the Pentagon near Washington D.C., and a fourth plane crashed in Pennsylvania after passengers and crew tried to regain control.

Almost 3,000 people were killed. Millions of people around the world watched the attacks live on television, and the images of the Twin Towers became some of the most shocking images of the beginning of the 21st century.

However, 9/11 was not only important because of what happened that day. It also had major political and military consequences. The United States launched the so-called “War on Terror”, invaded Afghanistan, increased security measures at airports and borders, and changed the way international terrorism was discussed and confronted.

The attacks also had a strong impact on international relations. Security became a central issue in many countries, military interventions increased, and public debate about terrorism, civil liberties and foreign policy became much more intense.

For this reason, 9/11 is often considered a turning point in recent history.

Think about these questions:

1. What do you already know about 9/11?
2. Why do you think this event is still remembered today?
3. Why can an event in one country have consequences all over the world?

Watch the video

Watch the video carefully and answer the following questions in full sentences. Do not simply copy words from the video: explain the ideas in your own words.

After watching the video

1. What happened on 11 September 2001?
2. Which moment or image in the video affected you most? Why?
3. Why did the attacks have such a strong impact around the world?
4. What consequences of 9/11 are mentioned or suggested in the video?
5. How did the attacks change the way people thought about security and terrorism?
6. What role did television and the media play that day?
7. What new information did you learn from the video?
8. What question would you ask after watching it?

Historical thinking

Explain the meaning of these concepts:

• War on Terror
• terrorism
• international security
• foreign policy
• civil liberties

Then answer:

Can governments increase security without reducing individual freedoms? Give your opinion and explain your answer.

Geography task

Locate these places on a map:

• New York
• Washington D.C.
• Pennsylvania
• Afghanistan
• Iraq

Then write one sentence explaining why each place is connected to the history of 9/11.

Final reflection

Write about 80–100 words answering this question:

Why can 9/11 be considered a turning point in recent history?

Try to include at least three of these ideas:

• international terrorism
• military intervention
• airport security
• foreign policy
• media
• civil liberties
• international relations