The world was forever changed 14 years ago today, when the 9/11 terrorist attacks in New York, Washington, D.C. and Pennsylvania killed 2,977 people.
As Pearl Harbor and John F. Kennedy’s assassination were for older generations, 9/11 became an era-defining moment—so much so that every year, on the anniversary of the attacks, people flash back to what they were doing when they found out the towers fell.
This year in particular, Twitter is assisting with the process of healing and remembrance. The virtual counseling service shared stories of hope, about children born on 9/11 and Twin Towers rescue dogs.
Thousands of people also shared personal anecdotes using #WhereWereYou. Many tweeters (including this reporter, who was in third grade on 9/11) were in school when they first heard about the attacks:
#WhereWereYou It was like week 2 of second grade. We had a small little tv in our class. There was a eerie silence for maybe 15 minutes.
— Glokage ⚡️🔥💥 (@Bvnco) September 11, 2015
I was in Mrs. Morrison's 4th grade class. We would have just finished the Pledge of Allegiance when the second Tower was hit #WhereWereYou
— Dan Hagan (@DaanHag12) September 11, 2015
9th grade travel tourism class, went to locker cause i was bored, saw my mom in hallway waiting for me to get me, had no clue #WhereWereYou
— Cassy (@Cass_Laufeyson) September 11, 2015
https://twitter.com/APompliano/status/642339928085401600
Still others were adults, preparing for a seemingly normal workday, when the news broke:
I was in midtown when my boss called from NJ to say Tower 1 was hit – I thought she was kidding – until Tower 2 was hit – #WhereWereYou
— Cornelius Moore (He/His/Him) (@CMooreHere) September 11, 2015
Putting in rundown for FSN's Totally #NASCAR. Steve Byrnes called. "Something's happening in New York" #WhereWereYou pic.twitter.com/Iq0lBJoqxM
— Ryan McGee (@ESPNMcGee) September 11, 2015
In my car listening to @HowardStern. 4 those who think he's mean, #HowardStern stayed on the air all day comforting us fans, #WhereWereYou
— Judith Cole (@AuntCole22) September 11, 2015
https://twitter.com/toddwhaines/status/642345918008692738
Today, for once, social media was a place for positive healing instead of heated division, as the Twitter community ensured that the world will never forget 9/11/01.
