25 Years After 9/11: US Security Reassessed by Congress

On September 11, 2001, four hijacked planes were used in coordinated terrorist attacks, resulting in 2,977 deaths. The attacks began at 8:46 am when American Airlines Flight 11 hit the North Tower of the World Trade Center, followed by United Airlines Flight 175 striking the South Tower.

By 9:37 am, American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the Pentagon, and United Airlines Flight 93 crashed in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after passengers attempted to regain control. The US House Committee on Homeland Security has reviewed the events 25 years later, noting the attacks revealed significant weaknesses in aviation security and emergency response systems.

The planning for the attacks began in 1999, with Osama bin Laden meeting conspirators in Afghanistan. The hijackers obtained US visas and conducted surveillance in 2001, but law enforcement did not detect terrorism-related activities.

On the day of the attacks, security screenings failed to prevent the hijackers from boarding the flights.