On this day, 18 years ago, our country went through a terrible tragedy that could only be explained in one word; terroism.

On Sep. 11, 2001, a series of four coordinated terrorist attacks by the Islamic terrorist group, al Qaeda, changed our country forever. They hijacked four aircrafts and carried out suicide attacks against the U.S. One plane crashed in a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, another one hit the Pentagon near Washington D.C. and the most infamous two hit the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. These attacks left almost 3,000 people dead, including the 19 hijackers.

Not only were most of the victims in their attacks innocent, but they were heroes. 9/11, the date that was designated for the phone number 9-1-1, brought many first respondents. These attacks caused more first responder deaths than any other tragedy in American history. On this day, we not only mourn for the victims that fought for their lives, but for the first respondents that fought for others.

The Twin Towers are not standing anymore, but the U.S. still is. Even though we are still affected by this tragedy, even though terrorism has meant something deeper to us since it happened, we have become stronger. Today we will hear our teachers tell their stories, play clips from the news when it was happening and listen to their vivid stories on what exactly happened on this horrid day. 9/11 will always be remembered as a day when citizens became heroes.