By Arch. Dr. D.K. Gitau

On the morning of September 11, 2001, the world stood still. What began as an ordinary Tuesday turned into one of the darkest chapters of our collective history. At 8:46 a.m., American Airlines Flight 11 struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center, shattering not only steel and glass, but also the illusion of safety that millions had carried. Seventeen minutes later, United Airlines Flight 175 struck the South Tower, and in that fiery moment, the world knew it was under attack.

Within hours, both towers had collapsed in clouds of ash, debris, and human anguish. Nearly 3,000 innocent lives were lost—men and women of every faith, race, and nationality. In Washington, the Pentagon was struck by another hijacked plane, while courageous passengers aboard United Flight 93 gave their lives to prevent yet another catastrophe, forcing their plane down in a Pennsylvania field.

The images from that day, people fleeing through smoke-filled streets, firefighters running into burning towers, families searching for loved ones, remain etched in memory. Yet 9/11 is not only a story of terror and destruction. It is also a story of courage, sacrifice, and unity. Strangers helped strangers, first responders charged forward knowing they might not return, and the world mourned as one.

Today, more than two decades later, the wounds remain, but so does the resolve. Every anniversary is not just a remembrance of tragedy, but a call to preserve peace, defend freedom, and honor the resilience of the human spirit. For those who lost loved ones, the grief never ends. For the world, the lesson remains clear: we must never allow hatred and violence to triumph over humanity.

Indeed, September 11, 2001, is the day we shall never forget.