Firefighters brave the thick smoke as they search for survivors through the rubble and debris of the World Trade Centers in New York City in the area known as Ground Zero, after the 9/11 terrorists attacks

On September 11, 2001, two of the planes were flown into the towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, a third plane hit the Pentagon just outside Washington, D.C., and the fourth plane crashed in a field in Pennsylvania. Often referred to as 9/11, the attacks resulted in extensive death and destruction, triggering major U.S. initiatives to combat terrorism and defining the presidency of George W. Bush. Over 3,000 people were killed during the attacks in New York City and Washington, D.C., including more than 400 police officers and firefighters