Sept. 11, 2001 is a historic day in America and around the world.
For many, it felt like the world stood still as they watched or heard about the collapse of the Twin Towers, then the crash into the Pentagon and, finally, the crash of United Airlines Flight 93.
The day has gone down in history as one of the most tragic days in the country, claiming the lives of nearly 3,000 people and injuring more than two times as many.
During past anniversaries, the hashtag #WhereWereYou surfaced on social media as many people recounted where they learned of the attacks.
Many of the heartbreaking messages convey how people felt. Dozens showed that the attacks happened when many social media users were young and detailed how their families reacted, shaping the gravity of the news.
#WhereWereYou I drove by the Pentagon about 8 am on my way to our call center in Fredericksburg. Heard about “small plane” hitting WTC when I got there. After grabbing a coffee, heard 2nd Tower was hit. Talked with staff and heard about Pentagon. 1/2
— Evans Witt (@EvansWitt) September 11, 2019
#WhereWereYou 2/2 knew I95 was impassible. Headed to I66 Was only car headed to DC. Suddenly solid wave of cars appeared leaving DC
— Evans Witt (@EvansWitt) September 11, 2019
I was 19 years old, working a factory job. The clock stood still, the machines stopped. The whole place was in disbelief. We gathered around the office TVs. Nobody could find words to express what we were witnessing. It was like a bad movie playing out before us. #WhereWereYou pic.twitter.com/UdpyB22Z9f
— Matt Baker (@Real_MattBaker) September 11, 2019
I was an elementary school librarian trying maintain a sense of normalcy to not frighten the students. They had no idea. #WhereWereYou
— Beth Bell (@elizabethalbell) September 11, 2019
I was sitting waiting for class to start during college. We were in the SAC at CMU watching TV... thinking it was all a joke, a dream. That’s when I realize it was a night mare and I was no long a naive kid... #NeverForget911 #Wherewereyou #wefinallystoodasone pic.twitter.com/mAYMK55Ke7
— GB MedOcc (@GBMedOcc) September 11, 2019
At work at NBC getting ready to cover Michael Jordan’s return to the NBA w/the Wizards. Assignment changed instantly. Spent next several hours getting to the Pentagon and reporting the story. #Wherewereyou
— Beverly Kirk (@BeverlyKirk) September 11, 2019
After the towers fell, we were told to go home. My new boss invited me to her house in the 'burbs. I was puzzled. She was worried (or thought I might be) b/c she knew I lived in a high-rise downtown that could be a target. I'm still so touched by her thoughtfulness.
— Janet Harris, M.P.Aff. (@ThinkUpstream) September 11, 2019
I was in 5th grade, my classmates were being withdrawn 1 by 1 & i was so confused. Once my Aunt Liz picked me up i knew something was wrong. We met my mom at the house close to 9am & witnessed the second plane hit the South Tower 💔 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WhereWereYou?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WhereWereYou</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NeverForget911?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NeverForget911</a>
I was in 5th grade, my classmates were being withdrawn 1 by 1 & i was so confused. Once my Aunt Liz picked me up i knew something was wrong. We met my mom at the house close to 9am & witnessed the second plane hit the South Tower 💔 #WhereWereYou #NeverForget911
— MANDI MOORE 💫 (@mandiimoore_) September 11, 2019
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