September 11 can bring up many questions for students. Explore answers to common questions about what happened, the people affected, and how the Wisconsin 9/11 Memorial & Education Center helps keep their stories and the lessons of that day alive.
On September 11, 2001, 19 terrorists from al-Qaeda hijacked four commercial airplanes. Two were flown into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, one struck the Pentagon in Virginia, and a fourth, Flight 93, crashed in Pennsylvania after passengers and crew fought back. The attacks killed 2,977 innocent people.
The Twin Towers were the two tallest buildings in the World Trade Center complex in New York City. They each stood 110 stories tall and were home to offices for hundreds of companies. Both towers were struck by hijacked airplanes and collapsed as a result of the damage and fires caused by the attacks.
Although the attacks occurred hundreds of miles away, their impact was felt in communities across Wisconsin. Eighteen people with Wisconsin connections were killed on 9/11, and their stories help demonstrate how a national tragedy can have a lasting impact close to home.
The Memorial’s roots are connected to Andrea Haberman, a Kewaskum High School graduate who was killed in the North Tower of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Her story inspired a community effort to create a lasting place in Kewaskum to remember Andrea, honor the other Wisconsinites who lost their lives, and ensure future generations understand the events and impact of 9/11.