Wright State University’s Civics Center commemorated 25 years since the attacks on Sept. 11. The center ran a program that contained historical analysis, firsthand accounts and a discussion of how the attacks reshaped U.S. foreign policy and public opinion.
Dr. Mike Jacobs, a professor and deputy director of Civics at Wright State's Center for Civics, Culture and Workplace Development, started the event with a concise history of the attacks and their global context. He describes 9/11 as a moment that “left Americans with a profound sense of fear and insecurity,” adding that for many, “this was our COVID, it was pretty dramatic.”
Jacobs described the origins of AL Qaeda from the start within the Cold War era and explained how U.S. support for anti-communist groups in the 1980s intersected with Osama bin Laden’s efforts to fight against the Soviet Union.
“From bin Laden’s perspective, once a land became Muslim, it could never be anything else,” Jacobs said.
Jacobs described how the hijackers seized control of four aircrafts using box cutters and noted that the first plane struck the North Tower at 8:36 a.m. The program mentioned the U.S. decision to pursue terrorist networks abroad post-9/11 and the long-term consequences of the U.S. withdrawing from Afghanistan in 2021, which ultimately enabled the Taliban to retake control.
After Jacobs’ remarks, attendees viewed the National September 11 Memorial & Museum’s “9/11 Anniversary Digital Learning Experience.” The 30-minute film featured personal stories from survivors, first responders and children of lost loved ones. The video included audio from passengers and flight coordinators as well.
One of the stories discussed pertained to Richard Eichen. Eichen worked on floor 90 of the North Tower when the plane struck. He was thrown across the room by impact. He talked about his story, where he found coworker Lucy Gonzalez who was hesitant to leave. Eichen took both of them down the stairs together, with Gonzalez’s hands on Eichen’s shoulders. Gonzalez fainted close on the floor 25 and Eichen had to carry her the rest of the way.
Another story focused on NYPD Chief Terri Tobin. Tobin responded to the attack at the World Trade Center that morning. She saw the second plane strike the South Tower and helped evacuate civilians. When the tower collapsed, debris damaged Tobin’s helmet and left her with a large piece of glass stuck to her back. Tobin described the event as “confirm[ing] that I was doing exactly what I was meant to do.”
After the video, a short Q&A occurred. The coordinators allowed students to ask them about the geopolitical aftermath of the attacks, how terrorism evolves and how 9/11 continues to shape perspective.
The Civics Center’s commemoration highlighted the historical weight of the attacks and the personal stories of survival, loss and service that continue to define Sept. 11 across the country.
