34 20 2325 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. I witnessed History on Semptember 11th because it was the day our country changed because of the Terrorist attacks. It scary how it takes a crisis to make our country come together. After this you reliaze how petty things are pretty stupid when it comes down to it. You should just spend more time with your friends and family. It horrible that family's and our country lost so many people. I don't understand why this terrorists want to kill themselves just to kill something important to us. As my mom would say I guess they are just phanics. I wish September 11th never happened but as the saying states everything happens for a reason.I think this could also be a hard learning expiernce for everyone. I think it has made us alot stronger in the end. We should just to continue to move foward in our lives but also not to forget what happened. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah3189.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-11 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 204.108.200.1 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. I witnessed it on T.V. since I was in school. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Yes, it has changed my view on the country. i am more patriotic than i was before. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? The people dieing, planes crashing, the towers crumbling, the ordeal with the pentagon, and the plane were the people rebelled. But most of all "LETS ROLL". NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? Yes I did. Yes my feelings changed. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah3179.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-11 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 64.83.143.13 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. I woke up around 730 am on September 11, 2001. I felt this weird sense of anxiety, my husband had left for work already and I got a little nervous that I hadnt said goodbye to him. so I just got out of bed and started my day ignoring the anxious feelings. I turned on the tv for the kids to watch PBS and went about my morning. I guess it was around 9 I decided to put on Regis on channel 7 (NY) and saw the first WTC smoldering. I was aghast. I immediately called my husband who works in Manhattan. I didnt know how far away he was, but I knew he could see it from his window. I said "This poor pilot crashed his plane into the WTC! OMG i cant believe this, how terrible he must have felt when it crashed!" my husband took the cell to the roof outside his building and stayed on the line with me. I was watching footage of it at the same time. We talked about it and thought it was a freak accident how terrible. Then, as he was watching from the top of his building and as I was watching from tv at home, the second plane collided with the second WTC tower. My television went out, but a brief second before, I had seen a small plane near the burning tower, but I thought it was just another aircraft going past it, not realizing it had deliberately crashed into the WTC. I heard my husband go "Oh my GOD! OH MY GOD! DID YOU SEE THAT?" and i was like no my tv is out the cable just went out. He said "No, Barbara, thats not the cable. Another plane just crashed in to the second tower. This is deliberate, Barbara. This is terrorism." a new term to me, I said "someone is trying to start a war?" He said yes and he would be on the next train home and i was to call LIRR and see if the trains are running on time. So we hung up, I was numb. Then i called LIRR and no answer. So i tried calling my husband back and I got no answer. I started to cry a little, but not fully realizing anything yet, I was still composed. Then the neighbor kid came over and told me that planes are missing all over USA and one crashed in Washington into the Pentagon. I freaked and started to cry and shake, now fully realizing that someone had started a war on American soil. no one does that, I thought, and someone had. Someone tried to kill the president. They are going to kill us all, we are under attack and we are unprepared. Planes are going to crash into everything. I panicked and even more so that I hadn't heard from my husband. I couldnt take care of my children, i had to put PBS on for them, I couldnt watch tv anymore. I called my neighbor home to sit with me, I was a mess. Finally after a few hours of not knowing whether or not my husband was alive or where he had gone since they evacuated everyone. i thought the empire state building was next, and he was right in the shadow of the empire state building. Finally I thought, gee I should email him, he might still be in the office. So i did, and good thinking. But he was leaving since he had the same thinking, that the empire state building was next. he said not to worry he was leaving and i should email him in two hours, he was going to a friends house in manhattan to be safe since he couldnt get home because the trains were not running. I was scared and we talked on instant messenger for a while before he left. He said he was leaving and not to be scared. I told him may God and Goddess walk with him when he walks through the hard times. neither of us said goodbye as he logged off. we didnt want to say goodbye because we knew there would be no goodbye, he was coming home. I lit two candles I had set aside for the Sun and Moon, one blue with a blue stone embedded in it that Ben had made, and one yellow with a yellow stone...twin candles that we used only once, and they happened to be pillar candles. I placed them tearfully on the stove and lit them in honor of the families and victims. They did not stop burning until 11 pm. Hours went by and I couldnt find him. I was a crying heaving mess. I was emailing and emailing and I couldnt get a hold of him. Finally around 630 he called me saying he was getting a train home and to pick him up at 730. I almost jumped for joy but started to cry for all those lost souls and how dare I be happy, someone out there doesnt have a wife, husband, daughter, brother, unlce, aunt, son, grandmother grandfather......how could i be happy? And I wasnt, but I thanked God that he was alright. I picked up my husband and he cried and cried into my arms. I doubled over and felt like someone had stabbed me with a knife, those poor people. Later on, I learned children and pregnant women were killed too, something I hadnt thought of, and I couldnt stop doubling over every single hour. The next 24 hours i couldnt stop that stabbing feeling and Id almost throw up. Id be alright for a little while, moping on my couch, then all of a sudden id bawl loudly and double over. You would have thought I lost someone. But the whole world lost people, and I think that is what I was feeling. I was feeling the pain of the families, and that was a tremendous feeling, something that i couldnt stop and i almost couldnt live through. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Yes, my life has changed. I slowed down a little and made more time for family and helping others. It touched me that we all pulled together and didnt create more chaos from chaos....I vowed to always help anyone at anytime, everywhere if i could. I am a nurse, i was a nurse at this time and felt such guilt that I couldnt be down there helping. I send food and clothes and whatever i could instead. I am definetly a more giving person, although i was caring and giving back then, i will never look through the same innocent eyes again. There is a part of life that was somehow erased forever that day in 2001. I cannot go back to before that day, i will never know the innocent happiness i felt before that day, from now on, i now know the suffering and know, we are never truly safe. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think the generosity, compassion, caring, helpfulness, unselfishness of new yorkers should be remembered forever. How we pulled together in this immense time of need and how wonderful we gave unselfishly to strangers. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? Oh yes i did! My feelings havent changed for the flag, i still fly it with pride. i put bumper stickers on and made ribbons for my neighbors and myself in red white and blue. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah6384.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2003-12-19 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 24.47.5.181 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. Forgive this journal entry as I am in shock. The clinical state. On the PATH train there was a mysterious announcement: "look out the window." I did. The World Trade center looked like an old cigarette ad.... smoke streaming from the two towers. I thought of the 1930 plane crash at the empire state building. Was it one plane or two? An accident or an attack? They had us get out a stop earlier then I usually do. Basically we were not allowed close to the Hudson river. Across the river, maybe a tenth of a mile, the towers were burning. I carry field glasses to watch the falcon's on my office building. I took them out and began to watch. Several floors of the north tower were burning intensely already. The south tower was clearly missing a large portion in its middle. Debris began to fall. With the field glasses I realized the debris was people jumping from the north tower. Maybe the 90th floor. One afer another they cartwheeled out. More and more smoke billowed out. Fires around the towers base was evident. I watched. Reports came in of the other attacks.... refugees shuttled across the river by ferries started telling about what it was like in the buildings when the planes hit. People saw the second plane coming and no one believed it was going to hit, but it did. A blast billowed out from the base of the south tower. I was jostled and the south tower was obscured. A huge cloud rolled from the base of the towers. I regained my position and the south tower was gone. Just not there. I watched the north tower still pretty much believing the other tower was simply obscured. The fires burned more intensely. The radio tower on top of the building seemed to list...but didn't fall. And then that tower imploded. The woman beside me with her dog grabbed me an wept. Another dog passed by and the dogs fought. I stood and tried to accept that the skyline was now flat where the towers had been. I pulled the dogs fighting apart and mentally thanked them for their perspective. I glanced at my building. There on it's facade was the falcon I call Gray perched quietly. Jersey City just closed down. No trains. No busses to anywhere useful. Hours of aimless wandering later I took the only buss running - to Secacus. I sat for 7 hours at a Home Depot. My wife was stuck on the highway at the Meadowlands Sports arena. A van appeared to be full of explosives and they'd closed Route 3 with her on it. I started walking toward her but cops stopped me. I ended up in a the restaurant of a hotel on the highway with a mixture of other refugees. A kid from Alabama who'd been to the WTC yesterday for training. An EMS worker up from central New Jersey who was telling anyone that would listen that 26 of the men from his unit were now missing (500 firemen too he guessed, "The radios just kept clicking. You see you thumb the talk button when you are trapped."). A neighbor of mine that worked in the building across from WTC that had abandoned his SUV at the roof top parking lot when they were engulfed by the rolling cloud debris. The highway reopened....16 hours later I arrived home (my neighbor in the back seat in worse shock then myself). Still trying to get over the realization that there is no more WTC. My son will never see the view from the top. Trying to deal with the picture in my mind of the human beings cartwheeling from the 90th floor...one...two..three...four five.... Other random thoughts: My brother and sister who works in the WTC area took a long time to locate...both are alive. The bar tender at the resturant was too cool feeding me for free and hooking my neighbor up with me...I knew the guys house but never met him before. I called the hotel later and told them about the bar tender's kindness. The EMS guy said they'd stopped a van with chemical weapons at Patterson plank road (a mile away). The Alabama kid had digital pictures of the WTC from the day before. He was supposed to be there today. My two closest NYPD friends are MIA....but not their beat so probably just at the site. Aftermath: My NYPD friends turned up. They worked insane shifts for a long time but all ok. The truck full of explosives on the highway was real, but legitimate commercial transport. Jersey City became the loading dock for the search/rescue efforts and I worked a fair bit loading boats and feeding workers. Never found out if the EMS huys story was true, but from my NYPD friends it was implied there were things that people were not being told. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. My life has changed in small ways, my commute is still greatly affected and I still consistantly face a lot more security. But mostly I've changed inside. The hole in the skyline still brings on a rush of sadness. I can't shake the feeling that everything is the victim of its most negative aspects. All chains are only as strong as their weakest link. That angry destructive people are far more influential then the gentler majority. I am far more suspicious of broad beliefs that rally people like religion and patriotism. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? That a lot of good people died. That people rallied together to try and work things out afterwards. My days working loading the boats and feeding the workers showed me the better parts of the human spirit. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? I did fly a flag in solidarity with those that died and those trying to help. I've come to strongly resent blind nationalism. The wife of a fireman who died said, when asked if she wanted to see those responsible dead, "I know the last thing my husband would have wanted is for his lifelong efforts to save people to lead to people being killed." Those are'nt her exact words but close. I don't want people hurting me and I don't want to hurt other people. When I see an American flag now I wince because usually it is flying in the spirit of nationalism. I don't give a hoot about any particular country/political body, I want to live right and others to be given the same chance. Patriotism is supposed to be about those beliefs but often leads to one system of beliefs feeling it has the right/duty to subdue another "wrong" system. There has to be another way. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah464.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-08-28 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 63.122.164.130 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. I was sitting In Math class and our TV didnt work but we watched CNN in health class for the whole hour. Everyone was very concerned. The students didnt realize the large impact the this was. They didnt know how large the WTC was and teh impact that Sept 11 would have for years to come. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Yes, we are always reminded each and every day. Through media, signs TV, etc. Everyone wears red white and blue adn everyone shows there pride to be American. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? All of tragic loss of life. People should be reminded of this during our times of war. This will keep us strong and remind us what we are fighting for. If we forget the real reason we're fighting, we wont be strong and stick together. We must be reminded and keep us persisting in the fight against terrorism. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? No but I did see all of the flags that everyone had. It was sad in a way. why did it take such a tragic loss of life to make our country proud? Why must we endure the biggest attack on America just to make us wave American flags and sing about being a "Proud American?" Shouldn't we be proud of our country with all of its people? We go and lose 4000 of them and suddenly we're proud. Nobody cared about patriotism then, Everyone just complaine abut Uncle Sam. "Oh the government gets too much money," "Oh this and oh that." then a tragedy happens, the largest tragedy in our history adn suddenly we're proud, we love america. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah3426.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-11 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 64.8.162.66 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. What I've witnessed is that when some T.V. show are supposed to come on, thay show news instead. This is a way to keep parents and others updated on the issue. My mother has been more protective of herself when driving, taking planes or anything. As a matter of fact, my mom took a plane to Illinois for work and I told her to call me at home when she got to the airport,when she got on the plane, and when she got to Illinois. When she was coming home I told her to do the same to do the same thing. Well, my mom said the plane had door checkers for your clothes and in your personal belongings.My mom was very over protective of leaving me at home by myself, so she called me everyday in Illinois. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. September 11th was a day of pain for many families. Loved ones and friends were lost. Workers and people for the communities were lost. Many people get the feeling that god takes people away for hatred, but he doesn't. He takes them away because its their time to come home. Many peoples' lives have changed and so did mine a littl but not much. Now my mom watches more news than she did before and is trying to be updated with everything.On television we watch the reports on the terroist attack and we seem to be closing in on Osama if he's even alive. All my friends and I have been overprotected by our parents about being out by ourselves because anything could happen. I can see the way of some families have had their emotions touched. so they know they are truly blessed to have another day on this earth. Why?, Because they might have not woken up this morning. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? What we should remember are the honest people who were on the Twin Towers and the reason why this problem started. Thousands of honest people had their lives stolen. We should remember to wave the flag proudly. The landmark of Ground Zero still remains and is in the process of rebuilting. But the first Towers will still be in America;s heart. Two things we need to remember is to bless each day on this earth because we could die anytime. We are united as one in this country and some of our people were taken from us. So there is still pain that is left inside. But we will press forward in memory of those who died. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? Yes, I flew the American Flag after September 11th. The flag should have much meaning to all people but only if they accept it in their hearts. No, my feelings have remained the same. I am supportive of my country, strong, bold, united, and I am one with the cland. My flag will always be true to me as I am to it. The flag is the symbol of who we are, and who I am. I pledge myself to my country of America. And to everyone for which it stands. I stand in one nation, under God, and Indivisible, for liberty and justice for all. If any person can't say the pledge like it really means something to them, they need to because we are one. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah2018.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-09 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 63.155.236.94 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. 9/11 NOT A CALL FOR HELP BUT THE CALL FROM OUR ANGELS FROM ABOVE. SO WE SHALL REMEMBER THAT DAY AS A 911 CALL FROM HEAVEN. I AM A YOUNG MOTHER OF FOUR LIVE IN DETROIT. I WATCHED OVER THE TELEVISION. I JUST BROKE DOWN AND CRIED. THERE ARE NO WORDS TO EXPLAIN. I JUST CALLED ON OUR LORD AND SAVORY FROM THIS DAY FORWARD KEEP YOUR ARMS TIGHTLY WRAPPED AROUND THE WORLD FILL US WITH YOUR LOVE. WE ALL HAVE TO BELEIVE AND REALIZE TOMORROWS NOT PROMISED AND EVERYTHING HAPPENS FOR A REASON. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. THERE IS NO ANSWER FOR THAT BECAUSE I WAS RAISED ANYTHING COULD HAPPEN AT ANY TIME. FROM SUDDEN OR INSTINT. I GUESS THAT WAS THE WAY MY MOTHER MADE ME STRONG IN COUPING AND DEALING WITH TRAGEDYS. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? ALWAYS AND FOREVER OUR ANGELS. THE PEOPLE WHO LOST THEIR LIFES AND THERE FAMILIES. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? I HAVE ALWAYS FLEW THE FLAG. WILL ALWAYS HAVE RESPECT FOR MY AMERICAN FLAG. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah5835.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2003-09-11 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 12.87.104.70 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. I was a sophomore in high school when I first heard the news of the terrible events. It was a little after 8:00 A.M. when a teacher walked into my class and said that we were being attacked. The first thought that went through my mine was blank. What did he mean by "attacked"? Soon after that my teacher was on the computer pulling up pictures of planes crashing into the World Trade Center. All you could see were two large clouds of smoke as the buildings began to collapse. Then there was another plane that crashed into the Pentagon and one more into a field in Pennsylvania. In all my classes we watched news coverage of the attacks. It was hard to believe that something like this could happen. Throughout the day I learned more and more about what was going on. Terrorists had taken over the planes and deliberately planned to crash them into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. The pictures and coverage of New York was very sad to watch. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. It has in some way but I can't describe how. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think everyone should remember this date for as long as they live. This date should never be forgotten. All the people that risked and lost their lives should be remembered as heros. People should know how lucky they are to be able to live in a country that is strong and free to believe and do what they want to. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? The American flag to me is a symbol of strength and freedom. The American flag is a symbol of the diversity of people we have in the United States. It's a symbol of the United States that offers new hope and beginnings to others anywhere in the world. The people that hate us are those who are against the idea of freedom and peace. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah4428.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-12 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 152.163.189.198 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. I am a Red Cross volunteer and was assigned to NYC for 6 weeks following the terrorist attacks. I remember watching Good Morning America when they announced there was a fire in the World Trade Center. At the time they did not know how it had started. I immediately called my Red Cross chapter to let them know our help may be needed in NYC as it was when the crane collapsed a few years ago and closed off Times Square. They then announced it had been a plane that had hit the tower, causing the fire and it may have been terrorist related.That made me angry! I immediately hung the flag off the front porch and started to pack for NY. The next hour or so seems surreal. I didn't want to loose sight of the television yet I felt the need to get packed and down there as soon as possible. I received a phone call regarding an employment application I had put in. I was answering questions for my potential employer when I watched the 2nd plane hit. I went numb. All I could say was "Oh MY GOD!" over and over again. The man on the other end of the phone replied "What is WRONG with you!" as if I was crazy. He had not been aware of what was happening. I explained what I had just seen but he seemed to be more interested in the interview. I got the call from our chapter to go to NY. The only problem was...how! No planes, trains or a rental car to be found. We tried desperately to get transportation for myself an other volunteers from the area. I even tried to rent a bus to take all of us at once. I had a message in to the rental agency to Hold a car if one should come in. My hands were tied. It was a long sleepless night. I got the call at 8AM..we had a car! The chapter called and had another volunteer in need of a ride so I would be meeting her on the way. The phone rang. It was the gentleman I talked to the day before. He wanted me to come in for a formal interview. He no longer thought I was crazy! I explained to him that I couldn't make it and why. He told me to give him a call when I returned. I was out the door. Once I stood at what we now call Ground Zero, the events of the past 2 days seemed a blur. Now looking back so do the 6 weeks I was there. I was glad to help and I wouldn't have wanted to be anywhere else. I'm very happy to be home with my family. One more thing,I called about the job, went in for an interview and was hired on the spot. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Following the attacks I found I have become more protective of my family, friends and co workers. I was angry about the attacks. How DARE they mess with MY Country..MY State..My People! It has given me that "Mother bear syndrome" You'll be sorry if you mess with my cubs! NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think every second and every thought , word, sight and emotion of September 11th should be remembered. What was meant by some to break our spirit, has brought us together and made us stronger as a Community, Nation and Family. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? I hung our flag shortly after hearing of the attacks. I feel the flag has become a stronger symbol for this country. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah1494.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-08 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 152.163.188.163 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. I witnessed it in my 3rd hour, History class. Thats where i fist heard about the first plane hitting. I rememebr my whole class got up adn went next door to watch it on the t.v. We all sat their in shock, because of what we were seeing. I mean we had heard about it, but we thought people were just talking. When we saw it, it when we really knew what we were seeing was for real. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think all the people that helped and voulnteered should be. With out them a lot of important stuff wouldn't have been done. All the people that died in it, around it, adn the firemen that risked thier lifes to svae others. I think jsut everything is to be remembered, because everything and everyone had a big part in this. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? I hung a big flag outside my house when it happened. I think it was the american thing to do and especially at a time like this, if you can't do any thing to help, then i think this is the lease you can do to show your support. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah2068.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-09 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 63.156.75.78 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. The way I remember 9/11 was that I was walking back from my gym class, and as I was passing all of the classes, I had seen that the televisions were on. As I walked into my class , I saw everyone in class starring up at the television screen and when I had looked up, I had seen 1 of the Twin Towers on fire. As I went to sit down in my seat, I looked back up and watched as another plane hit the other tower. At that point i watched and listneed carefully as they were informing us that this was a terrorist attack. As the buildings were on fire, I watched closely seeing people jump out of the buildings when they were stories and stories high. After a little while we watched to see that the buildings were comin to the end because they had collapsed. I couldn't believe what had happened and what I had seen. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Yes my life has been changed since that happened because all of the people that were involved in the whole crashing the planes into the Twin Towers are basically the same race of me. With this happening it gave me,my family, and anyone else that had nothing to do with it a bad name. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? What I think should be remembered for 9/11 is the people who's live were takin away, the people who sacrificed thier lives to save others, and basically everyone who had put their hand with another to help out with what happened(police,fire department,etc..). NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah1726.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-09 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 207.99.16.132 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. My experience was something that I will never forget. I was just walking down the hall in school going to the guidance office for some work. When I walked into the office I looked up at the tv and got to witness the frist plane hitting the frist tower. It was something that I'll never forget. At frist I thought that it was just a movie or somthing un real. But after relizing that many people were dying and trying to save other people that it wasn't somthing unreal but it was real. That is something really scary just because it just shows how weak we are and that it isn't hard to get things by us. I still don't understand how no one notice that this was going to happen. I just wish I never have to go threw something like that again. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah3184.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-11 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 204.108.200.1 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. When I heard about the World Trade Center being struck by airplanes, I was sitting in my AP Calculus classroom. A general air of disbelief was around my whole class. The idea that people would hijack planes and crash them into buildings were foreign to the point where it did not seem possible. We immediately went to the computer to try and find out what we could but the internet access was restricted by the school's firewall. It was not until lunch that day that we were able to find out more about what was going on. Through the televisions set up in the cafeteria, we witnessed the horror of jets crashing into buildings. The whole day was a flurry of confusion and fear. The idea that America was under attack scared me beyond belief. I went to work but promptly left to go home and take in as much news as possible. I had a hard time sleeping that night and for months after the attack, I felt an emptiness within me. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. September 11, 2001 changed my life. I now realize that my own mortality is one terrorist attack away. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think that the fact that terrorists attacked us should be remembered. These people are all over the world and they are just plain evil. No allowances should be made for such people. Remember, they were willing to sacrifice their lives to kill 3,000, what makes you think they wouldn't do it again? NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? I have flown the American flag ever since September 11th. My feeling for the flag have changed. I feel that I have a deeper understanding of what the flag stands for, freedom. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah5205.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-10-02 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 24.91.61.122 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. As the events of September 11th unfolded, I was teaching my 4th grade class. A co-worker called me out into the hallway to tell me that a plane had hit the World Trade Center Tower. At first I could not believe someone or group could do such a thing. Then it became real as rumors flew throughout our school building that there were planes all over the U.S. that could have terrorists on them as well. What was I supposed to do the rest of the day with my 24 students? Would recess be safe? How could I explain something to them that I did not understand myself? In my 28 years of life, I have never experienced anything like this before. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think we should remember all of the innocent people that died. Memorial services should be held but also a celebration of life. We cannot let those terrorists think that we will not go on living because of what they did to all of our loved ones. By living our lives, we win, not the terrorists. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? I flew my American flag before the events of September 11 as well as after. I think I became more patriotic after September 11th buying anything red,white, and blue. I am proud to be an American and I want everyone to know it! Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah1468.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-07 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 63.49.244.42 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. As we all know, on September 11, 2001, the twin towers were both struck by hijacked planes. They both fell and are now gone forever. The Pentagon was also hit, and another plane crashed in Pennsylvania. I was 14 years old and a freshmen in high school at the time. The day started out just like any other. I went to art class and then geometry. However, when I arrived in History class I would learn something that would change American forever. I walked into History and the television was already turned onto the news. I remember thinking "Why are we watching tv?" I saw that one of the twin towers was on fire. I thought, what is this about? My teacher informed us that the tower was hit by a plane. She wasn't sure of what exactly had happened. But then we saw the second plane hit. We thought, could this be a terroristic attack? No one wanted to think that, but it was reality. Everyone watched at the news told us more about what was happening. We all wanted to stay and watch but we were forced to go to our next classes, for me English. I remember in the hall ways everyone was talking about it. Students were telling other students what they heard. In English, they made us turn off the televisions. I thought about my Aunt who was currently in France. Could she have been on one of the planes? Everyone wanted to watch, but the teachers told us that we couldn't. The rest of the day was different. Kids wanted to know what was going on. I finally arrived home after a day that seemed to last forever. My parents were already sent home from work. My mom informed me on what went on, and that both of the towers had fell. Later on that night, another building fell. I wondered why someone would want to kill all of these innocent people. I couldn't, and still can't understand it. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Yes, my life has been changed. Although I have not experienced any deaths in my family, my life seems different. I recently traveled on an airplane. I had to arrive at the airport earlier than usual. I had to go through metal detectors, and if it went off I would have had to take off my shoes to they could be checked. I witnessed many people that had to take their shoes off because of the suspicion of a bomb. When I was on the airplane, I had the suspicion that maybe my plane was going to be hijacked and my life would then be over, just like all of the innocent victims on September 11. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think everyone should remember all of the firefighters and police officers that risked their lives to help other people. They are truly heros. They didn't have to, but they did. Also, the innocent victims should all be remembered. Their day started out just like any other with going to work, but they would never return. Not only the World Trade Center victims, but also those in the Pentagon. A lot of people died, and none should be forgotten. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? My feelings about the American flag has changed. Before September 11, I just thought of the flag as a thing. Now I see the significance in it. It represents our country and freedom. I respect it more, and I think a lot of other people do also. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah1940.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-09 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 207.99.16.132 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. My husband and I were driving to work. We were listening to Howard Stern and he mentioned the fact that an airplane had just hit one of the World Trade Center Towers. It sounded almost too absurd to be true. The image that flashed in my head was of a tiny plane hitting part of the building. Of course that was not the case... I called my mother from our cellular telephone and asked that she turn on the television and find out what was really going on. She returned the call with what seemed like a description out of a really horrible action film. We rushed to work and watched the collapse of the second tower on a tiny black-and-white television. It was shocking to see something like that through a tiny television. All of the employees did not want to imagine watching this through a color television or in person. Immediately,I called my friend in New York City who works a couple of blocks from the Site. Of course, I could not get through to him. Thankfully, as many others would,I was able to reach him through an e-mail. This event reminded me of the Challenger incident. I watched the shuttle explosion from the playground outside of my elementary school. I will never forget the confusion, despair, hope, and the numbness that accompanies the realities... NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. I already had a fear of flying but now the fear begins with the thought of taking a trip! I have learned to appreciate the tiny stuff and be thankful for the time that is given to us to enjoy with our family and friends. Some of my feelings towards our country's national and foreign policies are worse than prior to this Event. Trying to capitalize on this event for political or monetary profit is like hitting the Towers over and over. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? EVERYTHING. Every side, every story, every reason. EVERYTHING. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? No, I did not and do not fly an American flag. I am thankful for where I live but I do not feel that it is necessary to fly my feelings accross the front lawn. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah402.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-08-23 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 216.199.107.22 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. On the early mornig of September 11th,2002, my husband ,Anthony, got up early to go to work at Ford Motor Company in Livonia, MI. I was about 2 months pregnant with our son Michael.I had plans to go with my friend to her prenatal doctor visit, so I stayed up so I could be ready by 9:30am. I called my parents who were on they're way up north for 2 days to celebrate my dads 57th birthday which was September 12th. I wished them a safe trip and told them I loved them and to have lots of fun. Then I proceded to wake up our 9 month old daughter, Margarita, to get her fed and dressed. When we both were finally ready, I put her in her car seat so we could leave. We got as far as the back door, when the phone rang at about 8:55 am. It was my husband calling from work. He asked me if I was watching TV. I told him "No, I was just getting ready to put Margarita in the car so we could go to with RaNa to her doctors appointment" He immediately told me to turn the TV on, I asked what channel and told him it better be something important, because I didn't want to make my friend late. He replied that it didn't matter what channel,to just turn it on! So as he was speaking, the TV started coming in clear and I couln't believe what I saw! The first tower was smoking and on fire. I said "Oh my God! What happened?! Did a plane hit it?" He told me everyone was watching it at work on CNN and they think it was hijackers. I was shaking and about to cry with disbelief. As I continued to watch, I saw chaos everywhere as people were running for thier lives down the streets of New York. As I was still on the phone with my husband, the second plane crashed. I yelled "Oh my God! Another plane crashed! Tony are you watching this?!?" I stood there in our bedroom looking up at the television as people were jumping out of windows to thier deaths. It must have been so aweful for them in there, that they would even consider such a horrific act. I remember they kept showing this one paticular womans reaction to her seeing people jumping from what seemed like the top floors of the building. They repeatedly showed the second plane crashing into the Tower. It looked like the building just swallowed the airplane! I just kept thinking about all those people in the planes not knowing that they were headed straight for a Tower. And what must have gone through the minds of the innocent people who got a glimps of the airplanes headed right for them! All of a sudden, the first tower started to collapes. It was like watching a horror flick, the way people were running ,screaming and crying away from the buildings. I saw people,probably strangers to each other,grabbing others to run faster or help them up or carry them away from the huge, gray cloud of concrete and debris rolling and consuming everything and everyone in its path. Apparently the cameraman could not find shelter fast enough, and laid/fell next to a parked car. He still had the camera rolling as the cloud reached him. I saw people coming out of the debris dust cloud, and they were completely gray! Some were bleeding. They looked like moving statues! I must have stood there in front of the TV for almost an hour, when I remembered my daughter was still strapped in her carseat downstairs by the back door waiting for us to go. I turned the TV off and got us both in and immediately turned on the radio. Every station was talking about what was happening. I headed to my friends house and called my parents to find out if they knew what had happened. They had no idea, they were listening to they're music tapes in the car instead of the radio. The whole day seemed unreal, like a bad dream. After I went with my friend to the doctors, I went home, she called me to come back to her house because I forgot my daughters diaper bag. When I finally did make it home, I finally broke down and cried and cried as I held and hugged Margarita. She just looked at me like she was kind of scared and confused as to why her mommy was so sad. Then she would smile, and believe it or not, that helped me be a little stronger for her. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. After September 11th, my life did change in many ways, as a matter of fact. First off, I was scared to be at home by myself(if my husband wasn't home). If I knew Tony (my husband) was going to class and wouldn't be home until 9:30pm, I'd go with Margarita to my parents house and stay there until he called and told me he was on his way home. If I got home before him, I stayed in the car, in the driveway until he got there. I cried for what seemed like 2 weeks straight. I watched everything I could about 9/11, to the point that Tony didn't want me to watch anymore because I was getting so upset about everything I saw. He (and I) didn't want to put our unborn child under more stress because the baby feels everything you do . I felt depressed all the time. I kept thinking about how a huge war is going to break out now, and how will I protect my children! I wanted to stock up on food, water and baby supplies. The night of 9/11, we went to fill the car tank with gas, the gas stations were charging as much as $4 per gallon! It was hard for me to listen to ANY patriatic song without crying. We wore our shirts with the American flag on them and even purchased more. I really thought about how we all take our freedom for granted and don't realize how lucky we Americans are. I'm scared to fly even more than what I was before 9/11. I also felt discriminated against. I am Mexican-American with dark eyes,skin and hair and can easily pass for Aribic. There was a cashier (African-American)in the CVS by our house that waited on me days after 9/11. She told me to put my money on the counter, after I did, she took a paper towel and pushed the money to the edge of the counter where it fell into another paper towel. She put my money aside, and pushed my bag to me and tossed my change onto the counter. I moved over so the man behind me could take his turn. I then heard her say to him,"Hold on honey,before you touch anything on this counter, I want to clean it first". Then she sprayed a disinfecting cleaner on the counter and wiped it clean. As I started to walk out , I turned to see if she did that to everyone...and she didn't. She talked nice to the man, took his money in her hand,gave him his bag in his hand and gave him his change the same way. I watched her wait on 2 more people after that. She never did to them what she did to me. I wondered if she knew what it felt like to be singled out like that because of her race. I never said anything to her about it, although I wanted to and probably should have. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think we should remember that sickening feeling in our stomachs from watching people jumping from buildings and seeing the Towers collaps and remember that 9/11 was the result of pure hatred. Remember all the innocent people in the planes, on land and in the Towers, who were taken from us. Remember all the children that parished on the flights that never got a chance to live out thier lives in this great Country. Remember all the children that have lost a parent or are now orphaned. And ,too ,those parents that have lost children...no mater the age...it still hurts. Also,all the pregnant mothers at the time, who had to bring a child into this world without a daddy, and later have to figure out a way to make him live on in memory to a child who never had an opportunity to meet him. Then have to inform the child on why thier daddy can't be there to watch them grow up.Those women will have to be stong for thier children. How do you teach a child not to hate someone who purposely killed thier daddy? I hope God gives them the courage and strength to do so. Remember the women who were pregnant, only to have lost her husband, then have a miscarriage. A double loss...the other women , at least have thier newborn as a reminder of the man they loved so much. Being that I was pregnant at the time myself, I couldn't even imagine what I would have done in thier situation. Remember all the Fireman, Police and civilian that risked or loss thier life heping someone else. All the civilians that gave blood,food and money to the Redcross. All the Firefighters across the country that stood in the streets of America to collect funds in thier boots for those in New York. All the rescue dogs. Te people who donated work shoe, first aid suplies, and clothes to the recovery teams. Remember the teachers and parents who had to explian to little children why something so bad had to happen. Remember how Great this Country is,what it stands for and that you should consider yourself fortunate to be here. And finally, we should remember that we are in Gods hands and He was there with everyone when they went to join Him. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? Yes, we did fly a flag on our porch.Yes, my feelings about the American flag did change. I feel even more restect for it. I feel proud to be American and more patriatic. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah188.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-08-19 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 205.188.195.172 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. I waled into Art class with Nick Baldwin and Liqa Minter, and Mr. Hays had the tv on. When i walked in, i saw Tower one fall. i was shocked! My dad had went on a bisness trip and was coming home on september 11! all i could think about was if my dad had been on the plane that had crashed into one of the towers or the pentagone. After Mr Hayes was done explaining what had happend, i was called to the office. My mom was on the phone. She told me that my dad was not on those planes and he was fine! i was realived, but upset and still very nervous! NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. Yes my life has changed alot. September 11 made my love my family and my friends alot more! it helped me realize that my dad could have been on that plane! It made me become very gratful for everything i had! NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think that the people that died and the firefighters that died trying to save them should be remembered. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? Yes. After September 11, my parents and my sister and i went andd bought an american flag. i used to not think much about the American flag, but now i have much respect for it! I feel a warm feeling every time i see one. it helps me remember that america is fighting together! Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah3358.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-11 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 208.182.75.4 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. I had just returned home from the hospital at around 06:30. My brother Kenny had been hurt at work in an industrial accident. I was in bed when my sister Nancy called me and told me a plane had crahsed into one of the towers. I immediately turned on my t.v set and sat and watch as the second plane struck. I sat on the couch with my wife Julia watching the news as it happened. I screamed out "oh my god it's collapsing" as the first tower fell. I spent the next several days digging in the rubble of the towers in an effort to help someone find a family member that I hoped was still alive. Friends tell me I should try to forget the things I saw in those days, but I tell them that I have to remember so that no one ever forgets. We lost a friend that day, his name is Chris Dincuff. He was a good and kind man and loved by all who knew him. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah593.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-08-29 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 205.188.209.43 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. It was kind of ironic. I first witnessed the event in my US history classroom. A teacher ran in with a stack full of papers, slamed it on my teacher's desk and quickly ran out. My teacher read it aloud and thought it was a joke or drill at first. Then to see if it was real, we turned on the TV. I had no antenna atatched to it because it was only meant for movies. When it came on there was a fuzzy picture of one of the trade towers smoking. Our class got let out and i ran down to the student center and rigth s i got there i saw the other plane hit. It was a replay of the second plane. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. I live in asuburb of chicago so i go there alot on the weekends for whatever reasons. After september 11th, I didn't go for a while. And even now I will go downtown, and my stomach will get a little queesy when I look up at the Sears Tower. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? I think that the unity of our naion should be remembered. Following the tragic our country rallied together and we were all united. That bond/togetherness should be remembered. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? Yes we did. My dad actually drove 45 minutes home from work and put up our flag becasue nobody was home, and drove back. Today my school had a ceremony where we lowered our flag to half-mast. Now every time I ook at a flag I think of our nation standing together against any force that may prve to be a threat. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah3842.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-11 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 199.189.9.125