What’s Happening Today?

September 11-Related Observances (USA). The September 11 attacks (often referred to as 9/11) were a series of four coordinated terrorist attacks by the Islamic terrorist group al-Qaeda against the United States on the morning of Tuesday, September 11, 2001. The attacks resulted in 2,977 fatalities, over 25,000 injuries, and substantial long-term health consequences, in addition to at least $10 billion in infrastructure and property damage. 9/11 is the single deadliest terrorist attack in human history and the single deadliest incident for firefighters and law enforcement officers in the history of the United States, with 343 and 72 killed, respectively.

National Day (Catalonia). This is a day-long festival in Catalonia and one of its official national symbols celebrated annually on September 11. It commemorates the fall of Barcelona during the War of the Spanish Succession in 1714 and the subsequent loss of Catalan institutions and laws. Catalonia is currently embroiled in a secession dispute with Spain, as the region seeks Independence from the Southern European country.

What Happened Today?

1. In 2001, the September 11 attacks in the United States were carried out by terrorist group Al Qaeda. A series of 4 coordinated suicide attacks were carried out by the terrorist group on the morning of September 11. 19 militants hijacked 4 California bound aeroplanes from East Coast cities in the US and used the planes to target major American landmarks. Two planes were crashed into the two towers of the World Trade Center, which caused them to collapse within two hours of being struck. One plane was crashed into the Pentagon building while the fourth plane, thought to be bound towards Washington DC, crashed in a field in Pennsylvania after passengers tried to fight back against the hijackers. 

2. In 2007, Russia tested what they called the “Father of all Bombs”. The world’s most powerful non-nuclear bomb was a thermobaric bomb – it detonated mid-air and uses the oxygen in the air to create an explosion. The energy released by the bomb equalled 44 tons of TNT.

3. In 2012, attacks were carried out on the US Diplomatic compounds in Benghazi, Libya. About 150 Islamic militants attacked two different US diplomatic buildings in the city with gunfire, grenades, and mortars. 4 Americans including US ambassador J. Christopher Stevens died in the attack. 

Birthdays

1. 1771 – Mungo Park, Scottish surgeon and explorer. He died in 1806 aged 35.

2. 1970 – Taraji Penzi Henson, American multi-award winning actress famous for appearing in the black TV series Empire.

Sources: Wikipedia & checkiday.com

Picture credit: reuters