September 11th, 2001 is the day that changed America forever. No one will ever forget the 2,977 lives lost on that day. They won’t forget where they were and what they were doing on September 11th, 22 years ago.

Every year time passes and as a nation, we always remember the lives lost and how that day changed the course of our country.

After September 11th, Americans came together and stood with one another. Our nation was united as one. Citizens supported one another, prayed for the victims, sang the Star Spangled Banner, and chanted “USA” at events and sporting events.

A very touching moment occurred at game 3 of the 2001 World Series between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the New York Yankees. President George W. Bush threw out a ceremonial first pitch strike to a crowd of cheers of “USA-USA-USA!”

Since then so much has changed. The Department of Homeland Security was created, airport security changed, the Patriot Act was passed into law, and so much more. Then nearly ten years later, Osama Bin Laden was declared dead in an Address to the Nation by Former President Barack Obama.

About a month after the attack, the United States launched Operation Enduring Freedom on October 7th, 2001. Along with British forces, they targeted the Taliban and Al-Qaeda training camps.

The War in Afghanistan continued for 20 years until President Joe Biden removed American forces on September 11, 2021. The War in Afghanistan was finally over but the Taliban quickly regained control of Afghanistan.

While war was raging in Afghanistan, Congress passed new laws and created the Department of Homeland Security.

The Office of Homeland Security was founded on October 8, 2001. Former Pennsylvania Governor Tom Ridge was the first director to lead the office.

In November of 2002, Congress voted to make the office a cabinet-level department.

While the office was created, more changes to airport security were being made to protect citizens. This led to the creation of the Transportation Security Administration now commonly known as TSA. The TSA was signed into law by Former President George W. Bush on November 19th, 2001.

Many things changed in airport security due to the attacks. According to an article by NPR, there are many differences in security, including longer wait times in security before boarding an aircraft. Individuals must walk through a full body scanner, and take laptops and other electronics out of their carry-on bags to go through a 3D-imaging-X-ray machine.

Before 9/11 boarding an aircraft was a lot easier than it is now.

After the attacks, The Patriot Act became a law. The act gave the federal government more surveillance over citizens when it comes to electronic communications, including phone calls and wiretapping to investigate terrorism.

The act didn’t stop with just more surveillance over phone calls. Federal Agents are authorized to seek permission from a Federal Court to investigate banking and business records to support in investigation efforts of terrorism. As well as banking, business, and communications, the law also gives stricter punishments for those who harbor terrorism and other terror-related crimes.

Over the years, laws have changed, agencies have been created, and airport security is more strict than before. The most notable change was bringing Osama Bin Laden to justice.

On May 2, 2011, Navy Seals conducted a mission to kill Bin Laden – the Mastermind behind 9/11.

Bin Laden was in a compound in Abbottabad, Pakistan when Seal Team Six raided the compound and killed him.

Many hard drives and personal journals were found in the compound which gave the United States more insight into Al-Qaeda and Bin Laden’s role in the terrorist organization.

When the news was heard, crowds of people broke out in joy in cities across the nation and in front of the White House.

President Obama spoke to the nation the night Bin Laden was brought to justice saying, “Today’s achievement is a testament to the greatness of our country and the determination of the American People. The cause of securing our country is not complete, but tonight, we are once again reminded that America can do whatever we set our mind to.”

While Bin Laden has been brought to justice, the United States will always be fighting a war against terrorism with other terrorist organizations around the world.

As the 22nd anniversary of the September 11 attacks arrives, Americans across our nation will never forget the victims and sacrifice of the firefighters, policemen, military personnel, and the heroes of Flight 93 for running into danger and protecting the United States of America.