The area near Shanksville, Pennsylvania, is important in the context of 9/11 because it is the crash site of United Airlines Flight 93, one of the four planes hijacked during the September 11 terrorist attacks in 2001. Passengers and crew aboard Flight 93 bravely resisted the hijackers, leading to the plane crashing in a field near Shanksville rather than reaching its intended target in Washington, D.C., which is believed to have been either the U.S. Capitol or the White House. This act of courage prevented further destruction and loss of life. The site now hosts the Flight 93 National Memorial, honoring the bravery and sacrifice of those on board.
Key Points About Shanksville and Flight 93
- United Airlines Flight 93 crashed about 1.75 miles north of Shanksville in Somerset County, Pennsylvania.
- The passengers, after learning about the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon via airphone calls, decided to fight the hijackers.
- The crash caused a large explosion and devastation in a rural field, leaving a crater and burning nearby trees.
- All 40 civilians and four hijackers aboard died in the crash.
- The Flight 93 National Memorial near the crash site commemorates the passengers and crew, with permanent memorial structures including a visitors' center and a wall with victims' names.
- The crash site is considered "Sacred Ground" and is protected, with restricted access to family members of those who died.
- The heroic actions of passengers and crew are widely regarded as an inspiring representation of American courage during the attacks.
Community and Response
- The small town of Shanksville became known for its immediate emergency response and ongoing remembrance activities.
- Local firefighters and volunteers played a critical role at the crash scene and in the aftermath.
- The Pennsylvania National Guard was quickly involved in the broader response to the 9/11 attacks.
This significance makes Shanksville a notable historical site related to the 9/11 terrorist attacks due to the life-saving impact of the passengers' resistance and the memorial established to honor their sacrifice.
