September 11 Memorial New York City. Photo Credit: Atlantic
Today is the 22nd anniversary of the sad events of September 11, 2001, widely known as 9/11, when terrorists attacked the Pentagon in Washington DC and the World Trade Centre in New York City.
The attacks killed almost 3,000 people and changed the course of history.
Added to the many who died when the north and south towers of the World Trade Center were hit by two passenger aircraft, there were several hundred more who met their untimely deaths at the Pentagon building and in a related plane crash near Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
As Americans gather on Monday at memorials, firehouses, city halls, and other locations across their land to mark the anniversary of the terror attacks, they will no doubt be reflecting on the horror and lessons of September 11, 2001.
Due to set-up and break-down activities in support of the annual September 11 Observance Ceremony, the National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial is momentarily restricted to visitors (with the exception of the families of the victims).
The September 11 attacks left behind more than just a legacy of grief and loss; it showed what cohesion, courage, and a steadfast resolve to never forget can do for a nation united in grief and determination.
It also serves as a sobering reminder of a day that altered the course of history, and the collective awareness of humanity.
Writing by Hadiza Abdulrahman; Editing by Adeniyi Bakare and Tony Okerafor