How Did 9/11 Occur?
The 9/11 attacks happened after 19 al-Qaeda terrorists entered the U.S, trained to fly planes, and smuggled small weapons like box cutters through airport security. On the morning of September 11, 2001, they hijacked four passenger flights, forcing their way into cockpits, killing or overpowering crew, and taking control of the aircraft. Two planes were deliberately flown into the Twin Towers of New York’s World Trade Center, one hit the Pentagon, and the fourth crashed in Pennsylvania after passengers courageously resisted.
Al-Qaeda hoped that, by attacking these symbols of American power, they would promote widespread fear throughout the country and severely weaken the United States' standing in the world community, ultimately supporting their political and religious goals in the Middle East and Muslim world.