Na današnji dan mineva 10 let, odkar se je zgodil največji teroristični napad v zgodovini. V najbolj tragičnem terorističnem napadu, ki ga je zakrivila Al kaida, je umrlo 2 993 ljudi in več kot 8000 jih je bilo ranjenih.
Takratni predsednik ZDA George Bush, je medted v nekem vrtcu bral pravljice otrokom, ko je pristopil njegov pomočnik in mu prišepnil, da so bile ZDA napadene. Ko je v večernih urah prispel v prestolnico, pa je v svojem govoru, ki ga lahko slišite spodaj, napovedal vojno proti terorizmu.
Pravi heroji, pa so postali potniki leta 93, na katerem so se na ta tragični dan uprli ugrabiteljem. Šest članov posadke in štirideset potnikov, se je uprlo ugrabiteljem in letalo je strmoglavilo. Če se potniki, ne bi uprli, bi letalo najverjetneje trčilo v Belo hišo ali v kongres in s tem bi se število umrlih še povečalo. Takratni predsednik George Bush, je dejanje označil kot eno najpogumnejših dejanj v ameriški zgodovini.
S tem se je začelo tudi novo obdobje v ameriški zgodovini. Nedolgo zatem se je začela vojna. Ne le v Afganistanu in Iraku temveč tudi na domačih tleh. Ni bilo dolgo, ko se ZDA sprejele patriotski zakon, ki je bil sprejet z veliko večino, kljub temu pa število nasprotnikov iz leta v leto narašča. Mnogi trdijo, da je prav ta zakon nujen za boj proti teroristem, kar dokazuje tudi dejstvo, da ga je Obama podaljšal in ne ukinil. Prav tako pa so na drugi strani ljudje, ki trdijo da omejuje svobodo in dovoli prisluškovanje nedolžnim ljudem. A vendar je bil to šele začetek boja na domačih tleh. Sumljivi so postali vsi muslimani, prav tako so bili osovraženi in to ne le v Ameriki, temveč tudi v Evropi in drugod po svetu. Ni bilo več muslimana, ki bi se počutil varno, saj so jih sovražili vsi. Sosedje, šefi, predvsem pa so bili bolj sumljivi, kot ostali državljani, kar so dokazovale tudi veliko bolj podrobne letališke kontrole, ki so jih bili deležni.
Kronologija dogodkov:
08.46: Letalo trči v severni stolp WTC; očividci sprva menijo, da gre za nesrečo.
09.03: Drugo letalo trči v južni stolp WTC.
09.05: Takratnega ameriškega predsednika Georgea Busha med obiskom osnovne šole v Sarasoti na Floridi seznanijo z dogajanjem. Vodja kabineta Andrew Card mu zašepeta: "Napad na Ameriko."
09.30: Bush pred kamerami pove, da gre za "nacionalno tragedijo" in "očitno" teroristični napad.
09.37: Tretje letalo trči v Pentagon. Del ameriškega obrambnega ministrstva je uničen. Sledi evakuacija Pentagona, Bele hiše, ostalih ministrstev in kongresa
09.55: Bush z letom odpotuje s Floride proti Washingtonu, a letalo spremeni smer in pristane v letalski bazi Barksdale v zvezni državi Louisiana, nato odpotuje v Nebrasko, kasneje pa v Washington
09.59: Zruši se južni stolp WTC
10.03: Četrto letalo strmoglavi na polju južno od Pittsburgha po spopadu v pilotski kabini. V letalu so se potniki postavili po robu ugrabiteljem, ki so očitno želeli letalo preusmeriti proti Beli hiši ali ameriškemu kongresu
10.28: Zruši se severni stolp WTC
12.16: Pristojne oblasti sporočijo, da je zaprt zračni prostor nad ZDA, dovoljenje za letenje imajo samo vojaška in reševalna zračna plovila
13.04: Bush v kratkem vnaprej posnetem televizijskem nagovoru zagotovi, da so v ZDA sprejeli vse potrebne varnostne ukrepe.
13.27: V Washingtonu razglasijo izredne razmere.
20.30: Bush v televizijskem nagovoru napove, da bodo storilce preganjali brez usmiljenja. "Ne bomo razlikovali med tistimi, ki so izvedli te napade, in tistimi, ki so jim nudili zatočišče."
Govor predsednika Busha. Spodaj si lahko pogledate tipkano verzijo.
Good evening.
Today, our fellow citizens, our way of life, our very freedom came under attack in a series of deliberate and deadly terrorist acts. The victims were in airplanes or in their offices: secretaries, business men and women, military and federal workers, moms and dads, friends and neighbors. Thousands of lives were suddenly ended by evil, despicable acts of terror. The pictures of airplanes flying into buildings, fires burning, huge -- huge structures collapsing have filled us with disbelief, terrible sadness, and a quiet, unyielding anger. These acts of mass murder were intended to frighten our nation into chaos and retreat. But they have failed. Our country is strong.
A great people has been moved to defend a great nation. Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve. America was targeted for attack because we're the brightest beacon for freedom and opportunity in the world. And no one will keep that light from shining. Today, our nation saw evil -- the very worst of human nature -- and we responded with the best of America. With the daring of our rescue workers, with the caring for strangers and neighbors who came to give blood and help in any way they could.
Immediately following the first attack, I implemented our government's emergency response plans. Our military is powerful, and it's prepared. Our emergency teams are working in New York City and Washington D.C. to help with local rescue efforts. Our first priority is to get help to those who have been injured, and to take every precaution to protect our citizens at home and around the world from further attacks. The functions of our government continue without interruption. Federal agencies in Washington which had to be evacuated today are reopening for essential personnel tonight and will be open for business tomorrow. Our financial institutions remain strong, and the American economy will be open for business as well.
The search is underway for those who were behind these evil acts. I have directed the full resources of our intelligence and law enforcement communities to find those responsible and to bring them to justice. We will make no distinction between the terrorists who committed these acts and those who harbor them.
I appreciate so very much the members of Congress who have joined me in strongly condemning these attacks. And on behalf of the American people, I thank the many world leaders who have called to offer their condolences and assistance. America and our friends and allies join with all those who want peace and security in the world, and we stand together to win the war against terrorism.
Tonight, I ask for your prayers for all those who grieve, for the children whose worlds have been shattered, for all whose sense of safety and security has been threatened. And I pray they will be comforted by a Power greater than any of us, spoken through the ages in Psalm 23:
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil for you are with me.
This is a day when all Americans from every walk of life unite in our resolve for justice and peace. America has stood down enemies before, and we will do so this time. None of us will ever forget this day, yet we go forward to defend freedom and all that is good and just in our world.
Thank you. Good night. And God bless America.
