The First Twin Tower Collapse- Remembering the Moment When History Changed on September 11, 2001
When did the first twin tower fall? This question remains etched in the minds of millions around the world. The tragic event unfolded on September 11, 2001, when two of the tallest buildings in the United States, the North and South Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, were destroyed in a series of coordinated terrorist attacks.
The first twin tower to fall was the North Tower, also known as Tower 1 or WTC 1. The collapse of this iconic structure marked the beginning of a day that would forever change the course of history. At 8:46 a.m. Eastern Time, American Airlines Flight 11, hijacked by terrorists, crashed into the North Tower, causing massive structural damage and sparking a fierce fire.
The impact of the plane’s collision with the building was so powerful that it caused the floors below the impact site to collapse. The intense heat from the fire then weakened the steel support beams, leading to the eventual collapse of the entire tower. The North Tower fell at 10:28 a.m., taking approximately 56 minutes from the moment of impact to the ground.
The collapse of the North Tower was a catastrophic event, resulting in the deaths of 2,753 people, including 343 firefighters and 237 police officers. The loss of life and property was unprecedented, and the emotional impact on the nation and the world was profound.
The second twin tower, the South Tower, or Tower 2 or WTC 2, also succumbed to the devastating attacks. Just 102 minutes after the first plane hit the North Tower, United Airlines Flight 175, another hijacked plane, struck the South Tower. The impact was similar to that of the North Tower, with the plane piercing through multiple floors and causing widespread destruction.
The South Tower fell at 9:59 a.m., just 37 minutes after being struck. The collapse of the South Tower resulted in the deaths of 2,977 people, including the 246 passengers and crew on the two planes, 2,606 people in the buildings, and 125 people who were in or around the vicinity of the towers.
The attacks on the World Trade Center and the subsequent collapse of the twin towers were a tragic reminder of the power of terrorism and the fragility of human life. The event sparked a global response, leading to the United States’ invasion of Afghanistan and the subsequent war on terror. The memory of the first twin tower falling continues to serve as a solemn reminder of the sacrifices made on that fateful day and the resilience of the human spirit.
