It was a week after Labor Day, the traditional end of the summer travel and vacation season, and the beginning of American football season, school and thoughts of autumn. On September 11, 2001, there was a horrible tragedy that happened in New York, 19 militants were associated with the Islamic extremist group al-Qaeda hijacked four airliners and carried out suicide attacks against targets in the United States the twin towers, and also in the Pentagon. This disaster started about eight forty-five A.M. this started on a clear Tuesday morning. The FAA shutdown all aircraft takeoffs nationwide across town. Two of the planes were flown into the towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, a third plane hit the Pentagon just outside Washington, D.C., and the fourth plane crashed in a field in Pennsylvania. Often referred to as 9/11, the attacks resulted in extensive death and destruction, triggering major U.S. initiatives to combat terrorism and defining the presidency of George W. Bush. Over 3,000 people were killed during the attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C., including more than 400 police officers and firefighters. This insult left a burning hole near the 80th floor of the 110-story skyscraper, instantly killing hundreds of people and trapping hundreds more in higher floors. The planes were scheduled to leave within twelve minutes of each other. Aboard each plane were terrorists who were part of a coordinated attack plan. The attackers were Islamic terrorists from Saudi Arabia and several other Arab nations. The day was as routine as any in New York, New York and Washington, D.C. Before ordinary passenger jets became fiery menaces, people in the World Trade Center and Pentagon were working at personal computers, typing letters or reading e-mail, speaking on the phone or processing paperwork. None of the civilians seemed to know what was to happen.