Muntej Sahni

English II

English Research Paper

3/16/16
McGee/Romano

9/11 is not something we Americans forget. The September 11 attacks changed

our nation and people forever, while some lost family members or friends, and others
lost all hope. Every year on the 11th day of September, we are reminded of the tragic
loss of thousands of people and commemorate those who risked their lives in order to
rescue frightened citizens. On September 11, 2001, terrorists from the group al-Qaeda
crashed two American Airline airplanes into the Twin Towers, killing thousands of
people. It was the worst terrorist attack in American history and it showed us that we are
not always protected and that we could be attacked by anyone at anytime. It also
revealed that if we were to be attacked again, we can only depend on each other and
not on other nations to help us. One song that demonstrates the sad event and explains
the true horror of that day is Boeing 737 by The Low Anthem. The lyrics of the song
emphasize what was seen and how it felt to be a part of one of the most tragic days in
history.
On September 11, 2001, nineteen young, Middle Eastern men bluffed past
security at different airports with weapons at hand. These men from a terrorist group, alQaeda, hijacked 4 planes in Boston, Newark, and Dulles airport. They took control of
the planes and flew them toward 4 national landmarks. The hijackers were determined
to fly these planes into the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and possibly the U.S.
Capitol or the White House. Later, at around 8:46 a.m., the first plane crashed into the
North Tower of the World Trade Center and subsequently, the second plane crashed
into the South Tower. The third plane crashed into the Pentagon, which is the military's
headquarters, while the fourth plane was intended to hit the White House but crash

landed in an empty field in Pennsylvania with the help of passengers on board subduing
the hijackers (The World Trade Center). After the planes hit the towers, many
firefighters and other rescue workers became heroes after demonstrating their
patriotism and nobility towards their country. As thousands of people were struggling to
get out, they went into the buildings, risking their own lives. They were not afraid to help
those in need. Many of them survived, though not all did. Moreover, as frightened
citizens searched for their loved ones in the rubble, it was revealed that the death toll
was around 3,000. After the event, it was uncovered that the head of these attacks was
Osama bin Laden. As a consequence of Bin Laden's actions, he was placed on the
FBI's Ten Most Wanted list of criminals (Purdy).
Although bin Laden claims he wasn't involved in the September 11 attacks,
President George W. Bush, as well as the rest of the American people, regarded the
terrorist leader to be the prime suspect. The president called for bin Laden to be turned
over by the Iraqi government, however they did not meet the United States' demands.
This resulted in the American forces "striking Afghan targets, declaring a war on
terrorism and on the countries that harbor terrorists." Moreover, years passed while
American troops still hunted for the terrorist leader. About 70,000 troops were deployed
to the Afghanistan border in March of 2004, continuing their quest for Osama bin Laden
but to no avail (Osama bin Laden). In addition, it was clear that the United States was
completely unprepared for an attack of that magnitude. Many Americans were
completely broken or afraid and were asking of the government to secure its borders
and to provide protection. In the months following the attack, as the country attempted
to pick itself back up, Congress passed the Homeland Security Act in an effort to to pick

up the pieces. The intent of HSA was to begin the effort of defending the nation from
any further terrorist attacks. Another thing created for the safety of the country was the
USA Patriot Act. This allowed the government to gather information and surveillance the
daily activities of American citizens. Private conversations would no longer be
considered private. Library records, college applications, ethnic origin data, and even a
persons favorite color could all be considered by surveillance personnel and analyzed
for risk possibilities. Its responsibility was for deterring any further attacks on American
soil (Jensen and Campbell).
The impact of 9/11 was reverberated in 2011, after Osama bin Laden was killed
after a careful operation by the Central Intelligence Agency was carried out by US Navy
SEALs or SEAL Team Six. The quest to bring bin Laden to justice was never put to rest.
Even a decade later, the Obama administration gathered enough information and
intelligence in order to successfully carry out a raid that took less than 40 minutes to
execute. Osama bin Laden's death was greatly symbolic event. After President Obama
announced to the world of his death, it brought a sense of closure to those affected by
bin Laden's terror. Many Americans had been waiting nearly a decade to hear the news
that the leader of al Qaeda was brought to justice for the tragic events of September 11.
As confirmation of bin Laden's death spread across the country, emotional celebrations
began taking place and many Americans felt victory and relief (Osama bin Laden).
The song Boeing 737 by The Low Anthem, represents the tragic killings of
thousands of innocent people in the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. The
song uses imagery, metaphors and allusions to show the fear that ran through the
victims and the feeling of safety that they yearned for. The Low Anthem wrote, I was in

the air when the towers came down/In a bar on the 84th floor. The fact that the speaker
was on the 84th floor provides a sense of imagery because one of the planes hit the
84th floor in one of the towers. This makes the reader experience the feeling of
impending doom. The Low Anthem also uses a metaphor when they explain, As the
prophets entered boldly into the bar/On the Boeing 737. The prophets are actually the
passengers that were aboard the plane that hit the tower. The speaker is comparing the
the dead passengers to prophets because their message is one of imminent death. In
addition, Boeing 737 alludes to the model of the planes that were hijacked that day. In
Boeing 737, The Low Anthem expresses the sensation to witness one of the most
devastating days in American history.
September 11, 2001, will be remembered as one of the most horrible and
unbelievable days ever experienced in the United States and Boeing 737 distinctly
makes you feel a part of it. The Low Anthem uses multiple allusions as well as imagery
and metaphors to make you experience fear and terror. Ultimately, the events of this
day certainly affect every American, and likely affect every person in the world in some
way. Our fellow citizens, our way of life, and our very freedom came under attack in a
series of deadly terrorist acts. The victims were in airplanes or in their offices as
secretaries, businessmen and women, or military and federal workers. Thousands of
lives were suddenly ended by despicable acts of terror, however this event brought a
sense of unity that guided our country and made us proud to be Americans.