Twelve years ago, tragedy struck the United States in the form of four hijacked airplanes. The attack destroyed the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, as well as the families of the lives lost.  Although the loss of the Twin Towers was extremely detrimental to our country, nothing compares to the emotional trauma that entered the hearts of families all across America.

On the morning of September 11, 2001 at approximately 8:45a.m., the American Airlines Flight 11, hijacked by Mohammed Atta, crashed into the North Tower of the World Trade Center, immediately killing hundreds upon impact. Just mere minutes after the initial crash, a second plane, the United Airlines Flight 175, crashed into the South Tower of the World Trade Center. A third plane, headed for Washington D.C., crashed into the Pentagon at 9:37a.m, killing 184 civilians, as well as the hijackers. In total, 2,996 innocent lives were lost in the appalling acts of the Al-Qaeda terrorists.

Even today, over a decade later, those killed in the horrific 9/11 terrorist attack are still remembered, and their memory lives on.

People all across the United States take time out of their busy schedules on September 11 to honor those who past in the terrible event, whether it be through a memorial, a prayer, or even a brief moment of acknowledgement and reflection.

“I always take two moments of silence at the time both planes hit the buildings,” sophomore Christina Miranda said.

Students at Palmetto can all experience a moment of silence during the daily announcements for those who died in the immediate attack as well as those who died whilst sacrificing their life to save the lives of others.

Local memorials shall be held and are open to the public.  Miami Dade College’s North Campus is planning to host a memorial at 9a.m. that is free to anyone who wishes to attend.  MDC has recently received two metal beams that once belonged to the World Trade Center, a donation from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The two beams shall permanently reside at the college’s North Campus, a static honorary symbol of the deceased and a constant reminder that their memory shall be eternal.

Although time may pass, the tragedy of 9/11 along with the deceased shall have a permanent place in the heart of America.

“Personally, my students are too young to remember. But to be honest with you, 9/11 made me more patriotic,” said Ms. Peggy Falagan, AP Art History teacher. “I wasn’t going to allow what happened to interrupt my life, so today I didn’t allow it to interrupt my day, and I said a private prayer for those who were lost.”