– American Airlines Flight 77 (Washington, D.C. to Los Angeles) takes off. Five hijackers are on board.

– President George W. Bush, visiting an elementary school in Florida, is informed of the second crash. He remains seated for several minutes, reading “The Pet Goat” with students.

Below is a clear timeline of the key events (all times are Eastern Daylight Time). 7:59 AM – American Airlines Flight 11 (Boston to Los Angeles) takes off with 92 people aboard. Five hijackers are on board.

The 9/11 Timeline: A Minute-by-Minute Account of the Attacks That Changed the World

– News cameras capture a gaping hole in the North Tower. Most initially believe it is a tragic accident.

– UA 93 crashes near Shanksville, Pennsylvania , after passengers and crew—learning of the earlier attacks via phone calls—storm the cockpit. The intended target is believed to be either the White House or the U.S. Capitol. All 44 on board are killed.

– The White House and U.S. Capitol are evacuated. The Collapses & The Passengers Who Fought Back 9:59 AM – The South Tower collapses just 56 minutes after being hit. Over 800 civilians and first responders are killed instantly.

– President Bush, now aboard Air Force One, announces from Barksdale Air Force Base that U.S. military is on high alert worldwide.

– Five stories of the Pentagon collapse due to fire and damage. Aftermath & Immediate Response 12:16 PM – All commercial air traffic in the U.S. is successfully grounded. Over 4,500 flights are diverted or canceled.

– For the first time in history, the FAA grounds all civilian aircraft over the continental U.S. All incoming international flights are diverted to Canada.

– AA 77 crashes into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, killing all 64 aboard and 125 military and civilian personnel inside.

– The North Tower collapses after burning for 102 minutes. Debris and dust clouds engulf Lower Manhattan.

We remember those lost, those who survived, and those who rushed to help.

– President Bush addresses the nation from the school, calling the events an “apparent terrorist attack.”

– Hijacker Mohammed Atta (on AA 11) mistakenly transmits a message to air traffic control: “We have some planes. Just stay quiet, and you’ll be OK. We are returning to the airport.”