History- 9/11

September 11th 2001. The plan to destroy symbols of American power began when 19 Al Qaeda terrorists hijack 4 planes that were flying above the US. American Airlines Flight 11 was crashed into the north tower of the World Trade Centre, United Airlines Flight 175 was crashed into the south tower, American Airlines Flight 77 crashed into the US military headquarters in Washington D.C, the fourth plane crashed into a field near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In total, 2,996 people died, 200 fell or jumped, 247 died on planes and 55 were killed in Pentagon. This tragic event had major impacts in other countries, as well as New Zealand. These long and short term social, economic, political and military consequences changed New Zealand as a country. Its impacts can be still seen today.
It all started during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War over Palestine. In the end, the Israelis won the control over Palestine, displacing hundreds of thousands of Arabs. This soon led to the 6 Day War. Israel had a hugely successful military campaign against the Arab nations. The war was a military disaster for the Arabs but it was also a massive blow to the Arabs morale. Here were four of the strongest Arab nations systematically defeated by just one nation.
In 1980, Afghan Rebels, Mujahideens, launch a gorilla campaign against the occupying Soviet Army. By Spring 1986, Operation Cyclone enabled America to successfully provide Mujahideens with weapon and finance. By spring 1987, Osama Bin Laden, the son of a billionaire, joined the fight, which soon led to the withdrawal of the Soviet Army; immediately turning Bin Laden into a hero. Bin Laden soon forms a radical Islamic group called Al Qaeda, also known as ‘The Base’. This group consisted of men who fought alongside Bin Laden whose main goal was to spread their extreme Islamic beliefs throughout the Muslim world and to fight the jihad, ‘Holy War’, against infidels such as western civilization.
The ultimate humiliation of Bin Laden took place