Almost three decades ago, George Bush’s letter regarding the 9/11 terror attack was read to the American people, letting them know what happened. To their shock, four planes were hijacked by the terrorist group, al-Qaeda and struck the World Trade Center among other targets. After this attack, the US made a drastic shift to its foreign policy and diplomacy along with its internal security.
Leadup to George Bush’s Letter
Before the 9/11 attacks, al-Qaeda has steadily gained influence across the world under the leadership of Osama Bin Laden. This group had a deeply militaristic view of Islam and rejected the Western World which they viewed as decedent and corrupt which would end up destroying the Muslim world.
As a result, the group launched a series of terrorist attacks across the world, including the US or US embassies. Many of these attacks took place before 9/11 and one even took place in the Twin Towers but was done through a car bomb. These would lead to the deaths of hundreds across the world, but their greatest attack was yet to happen.
On September 11, 2001, al-Qaeda infiltrated and captured four airplanes as part of their attack. The first pair struck both towers of the World Trade Center, hitting them dead-on and sending the towers crashing down. A third plane hit the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia. The last of these aircraft, United Airlines Flight 93, was intended to hit Washington D., but the passengers tried to take control of the plane after learning what happened to the other planes. This caused it to crash in a field in Pennsylvania.
In total, the attacks killed over 3,000 people and resulted in devastation and shock across the country. This left the US reeling in horror as al-Qaeda targeted symbols of America’s financial, military, and political power. This is where George Bush’s letter came in.
The American people were left confused after these attacks, trying to figure out what just happened. To help the people process what happened, George Bush’s letter was read aloud in a speech to explain what happened and to spur the American people into action.
Here are the contents of George Bush’s letter.
“On the morning of September the 11th, enemies of freedom committed an act of war against our country. Americans have known wars, but for the past 136 years, they have been wars on foreign soil, except for one Sunday in 1941. Americans have known the casualties of war, but not at the center of a great city on a peaceful morning.”
-George W Bush, Former US President.
This is far from the first time a speech led to a monumental moment in US history. Centuries ago Abraham Lincoln gave his own address, talking about slavery.
Much more recently, Martin Luther King Jr gave his speech for his fight for black equality.
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