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How the Twin Towers Fell

By Jackie Craven, About.com

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September 11 Photo Timeline: Collapse of the World Trade Center Towers

New York City Skyline before the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack

World Trade Center Twin Towers and the New York City Skyline before the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack

Photo © Markus Seidel / iStockPhoto
Built in the 1970s, World Trade Center Twin Towers in New York City were designed to withstand normal fires and hurricane-force winds. According to some reports, engineers believed that even the impact of a Boeing 707 would not bring down the towers.

But no engineer could have prepared for the destruction caused on September 11, 2001 when terrorists hijacked two passenger jets, each much larger than a Boeing 707, and slammed them into the World Trade Center Towers.

Next: The North Tower is Hit >

September 11, 2001:
Destruction, Reconstruction, and Monuments

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