The 9/11 attacks were a pivotal moment in modern history, resulting in unprecedented loss of life and a profound impact on global politics. On September 11, 2001, a series of coordinated terrorist attacks shook the world, leaving behind a trail of devastation and grief.
1. Forewarning from the Philippines
In 1995, Philippine authorities uncovered a plot to blow up 12 planes over the Pacific, which was a precursor to the 9/11 attacks. This plot, known as Operation Bojinka, was hatched by Ramzi Yousef and Khalid Sheikh Mohammed, who would later become key figures in the 9/11 attacks.
2. Emergency Response Code
The emergency response code used on 9/11, "Condition Yellow," was not the highest level of alert. The highest level, "Condition Red," was not declared until the second plane hit the South Tower, indicating a significant delay in response to the unfolding crisis.
3. Mysterious Collapse of Building 7
The collapse of Building 7, which was not hit by a plane, remains a mystery. The 47-story building collapsed at 5:20 pm on 9/11, with officials citing damage and fires as the cause. However, many experts and conspiracy theorists have questioned the official explanation.
4. Black Boxes Never Found
Despite extensive searches, the black boxes from the four hijacked planes were never found. The black boxes, which record flight data and cockpit conversations, could have provided crucial information about the hijackings and the events leading up to the crashes.
5. Predictions from a Novel
A novel written in 1991, "The Alpha Incident," predicted a scenario similar to the 9/11 attacks, including a plane crashing into the World Trade Center.
The novel's author, Max Collins, has said that he was inspired by his own experiences and fears about terrorism.
6. Air Defense Exercises
On the morning of 9/11, the US military was conducting air defense exercises, which may have contributed to the confusion and delays in responding to the hijackings. These exercises, known as Vigilant Guardian, involved scenarios similar to the actual attacks.
7. SEC Warning of Possible Insider Trading
The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued a warning about possible insider trading related to the 9/11 attacks. The warning was based on unusual trading activity in the days leading up to the attacks, including a significant increase in put options for American Airlines and United Airlines.
8. NORAD's Failure to Respond
NORAD, the North American Aerospace Defense Command, failed to respond quickly to the hijackings, despite having the capability to do so. The delay in response has been attributed to a lack of coordination and communication between different agencies.
9. The Heroism of Flight 93 Passengers
The passengers of Flight 93, who fought back against the hijackers, are credited with preventing a more catastrophic attack. Their bravery and selflessness have become an iconic part of the 9/11 story, and their actions likely saved hundreds of lives.
10. Warnings from Foreign Intelligence
Foreign intelligence agencies, including the Israeli Mossad and the Russian FSB, warned the US about a possible al-Qaeda attack in the summer of 2001. However, these warnings were not taken seriously by US authorities, and no action was taken to prevent the attacks.
11. Odd Stock Market Activity
There were unusual stock market activities in the days leading up to the 9/11 attacks, including a sudden increase in put options for companies directly affected by the attacks. This has led some to speculate about possible insider trading or foreknowledge of the attacks.
12. Mystery of the Missing Trillions
In the years leading up to 9/11, the US Department of Defense reported that over $2 trillion was unaccounted for. This discrepancy has never been fully explained, and some have speculated that it may be related to the 9/11 attacks or other covert operations.
13. Unusual Military Exercises
The US military was conducting several unusual exercises on the morning of 9/11, including a mock hijacking scenario and a drill involving a plane crashing into a building. These exercises may have contributed to the confusion and delays in responding to the real hijackings.
14. First Responders' Health Crisis
Many first responders who worked at the World Trade Center site have developed serious health problems, including cancer and respiratory diseases. The health crisis has been linked to exposure to toxic substances at the site, and many first responders have died or become disabled as a result.
15. Mysterious Death of John O'Neill
John O'Neill, a former FBI agent who had investigated al-Qaeda, died in the South Tower on 9/11. O'Neill had resigned from the FBI just a few weeks earlier, citing frustration with the agency's handling of terrorism cases, and his death has been the subject of much speculation.
16. Prescient Warning from Bush's Advisor
Richard Clarke, a counterterrorism advisor to President Bush, warned of a possible al-Qaeda attack in the summer of 2001. Clarke's warnings were ignored, and he has since become a vocal critic of the Bush administration's handling of terrorism.
17. Inexplicable Collapse of the Twin Towers
The collapse of the Twin Towers has been the subject of much debate and speculation. Many experts have questioned the official explanation, citing the possibility of controlled demolition or other factors that may have contributed to the collapse.
18. Foreknowledge of the Attacks
Some individuals, including a group of investors who purchased put options on American Airlines, seemed to have foreknowledge of the attacks. While these claims are unsubstantiated, they have contributed to the many conspiracy theories surrounding 9/11.
19. Torture of 9/11 Suspects
The US government used torture to extract information from suspected 9/11 conspirators, including Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and Abu Zubaydah. The use of torture has been widely criticized, and many have questioned the reliability of the information obtained through these means.
20. Long-Lasting Impact on Civil Liberties
The 9/11 attacks led to a significant erosion of civil liberties in the US, including the passage of the Patriot Act and the establishment of the Department of Homeland Security.
These measures have been criticized for infringing on individual rights and freedoms, and their impact is still felt today.
21. Unusual Aircraft Parts Found
Unusual aircraft parts, including a pièce of an aircraft's landing gear, were found several blocks away from the World Trade Center site. The origin and purpose of these parts are still unknown, and they have been the subject of much speculation.
22. Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) Delayed Response
The FAA was criticized for its delayed response to the hijackings, with some officials taking up to 18 minutes to notify NORAD of the hijackings. This delay contributed to the overall confusion and ineffectiveness of the response to the attacks.
23. The "Dulles Hijackers" Video
A security video from Washington Dulles International Airport shows two of the hijackers, Nawaf al-Hazmi and Khalid al-Mihdhar, passing through security checkpoints without being detected. The video has raised questions about the effectiveness of airport security measures at the time.
24. Bush's Early Knowledge of the Attacks
President Bush was informed of the first plane hitting the World Trade Center while he was at an elementary school in Florida. However, he remained at the school for several minutes, reading a story to the children, before being whisked away to a secure location.
25. Collapse of the World Trade Center's Core
The core of the World Trade Center, which was designed to be incredibly strong, collapsed along with the rest of the building. This has led some to question the official explanation for the collapse, citing the possibility of internal damage or other factors.
26. Firefighter's Radio Transmissions
Radio transmissions from firefighters at the World Trade Center site reveal a sense of confusion and chaos, with some firefighters reporting that they were unable to reach the upper floors of the building due to intense heat and smoke.
27. Secret Service's Foreknowledge
The Secret Service, which is responsible for protecting the President and other high-ranking officials, had foreknowledge of a possible terrorist attack. However, this information was not shared with other agencies, and the Secret Service's actions on 9/11 have been the subject of much speculation.
28. Israeli Intelligence Warned of Large-Scale Attack
Israeli intelligence officials warned the US of a possible large-scale terrorist attack in the summer of 2001. However, these warnings were not taken seriously, and no action was taken to prevent the attacks.
29. Suspicious Trading on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange
There were unusual trading activities on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange in the days leading up to 9/11, including a significant increase in put options for gold and other commodities. This has led some to speculate about possible insider trading or foreknowledge of the attacks.
30. The 9/11 Commission's Limited Investigation
The 9/11 Commission, which was established to investigate the attacks, was limited in its scope and authority. The commission's investigation was hindered by a lack of cooperation from government agencies, and many questions about the attacks remain unanswered to this day.
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Anne Kostick has been Editor-in-Chief since September 2007. Previously, Anne was a principal at Foxpath IND, a publishing, consulting and editorial services company specializing in the transition to and from traditional content publishing and online content management, development and publishing. Her clients included trade book publishers, technology and financial services Web sites, and arts and cultural institutions. Previously, she worked as Licensing and Product Development Director, Senior Acquisitions Editor and Director of Electronic Publishing for Workman Publishing, and as Senior Acquisitions Editor for Harry N. Abrams/Stewart, Tabori & Chang. In the online world she worked as Director of Content Development for Vitaminshoppe.com. Anne has a B.A. in Greek and Latin, with a minor in Theater, from Beloit College. She is the author of several books for children, as well as a definitive collection of jokes.