(KNSI) – The Stearns History Museum is asking area residents to share their memories on the 20th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks. Stearns History Museum Head Archivist Steve Penick says it’s the first time the museum has asked people to look back and share an event that touched everyone.
“We have a little bit more of a reflective thought on essentially an international event and how that affects local people.”
Penick explained what kind of writings they want from area people.
“We’re getting feedback from people to see how has life been impacted? Do you know anybody that signed up to join the armed forces and what is happening for you today? Do you still feel after 20 years the world is a different place? Airline travel for example, how that has changed.”
The museum also wants to know what people remember about that time. The museum is asking people to go to the museum’s website and submit their stories. The museum will also accept any artifacts from the day, such as memos from work or other messages sent at the time.
On September 11th, 2001, 19 militants associated with the Islamic extremist group al Qaeda hijacked four airplanes and carried out suicide attacks. The first two planes hit the World Trade Center in New York City. The third was flown into the Pentagon just outside Washington D.C. A fourth crashed into a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania, after the passengers fought back against the hijackers. Almost 3,000 people were killed.
The attacks led to the invasion of Afghanistan after the Taliban government refused to hand over the leader of al Qaeda, who was operating out of the country. Earlier this week, the United States left Afghanistan as the Taliban retook control of the Central Asian nation. The withdrawal from Afghanistan ended the longest war in U.S. history.
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