Missouri Higher Education Civics Achievement Practice Exam

The major event that occurred on September 11, 2001, was the terrorist attacks on the United States. On that day, a coordinated effort by the extremist group al-Qaeda resulted in the hijacking of four commercial airplanes. Two of these planes were flown into the World Trade Center in New York City, leading to the collapse of the Twin Towers. A third plane attacked the Pentagon, while the fourth plane, United Airlines Flight 93, was headed for a target in Washington, D.C., but passengers intervened, and it crashed in Pennsylvania. This tragic event profoundly affected national security policies, led to a global response against terrorism, and marked a significant turning point in U.S. history, reshaping foreign policy and domestic security concerns. Given its historical significance and long-lasting impact, this option accurately captures the essence of what transpired on that fateful day.