A Timeline of the Morning of September 11, 2001

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7:40am-7:50am

On the morning of September 11, 2001, at 7:40, five men boarded American Airlines Flight 11 at Boston's Logan Airport bound for Los Angeles. At 7:50am, at Dulles International Airport, terrorists boarded flight American 77 also bound for Los Angeles.

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8:14am-8:19am

The hijacking of American Airlines Flight 11 begins at 8:14am or shortly thereafter. Five minutes later, at 8:19am, United Airlines Flight 175 takes off from Bostons Logan Airport.

8:46am-8:57am

At 8:46:40 am, the first plane, American Airlines 11 crashes into the North Tower of the World Trade Center. By 8:57am, the Fire Department of New York chiefs had instructed the Port Authority Police Department and building personnel to evacuate the South Tower as well.

9:00am-9:05am

At 9:03:11am, United Airlines Flight 175 struck the South Tower of the World Trade Center. Minutes later, at 9:05, the President was seated in a classroom at Booker Elementary School when Chief of Staff Andrew Card whispered to him: "...America is under attack.".

9:15am

By 9:15am, the number of FDNY personnel en route to or present at the scene was far greater than the commanding chiefs at the scene had requested. Many off-duty firefighters responded. Also at 9:15am (approx) President Bush left the classroom at Booker Elementary School to be briefed by staff.

9:26am-9:30am

At 9:26 am the Federal Aviation Administration grounded all domestic flights. Meanwhile, at approximately 9:30am, one of the first FDNY fatalities occures. Father Mychal Judge, NYC Fire Department Chaplain, is pulled from one of the World Trade Center towers.

9:37am-9:45am

At 9:37:46am, American Airlines Flight 77 crashes into the Pentagon, traveling at approximately 530 miles per hour. At 9:45am, according to notes made on the call, the President told the Vice President: "Sounds like we have a minor war going on here, I heard about the Pentagon. We're at war . . .."

9:58am-10:03am

At 9:58:59am, the South Tower of the World Trade Center building collapsed in ten seconds. Five minutes later, at 10:03:11am, United Airlines Flight 93 crashes in field in Shanksville, PA, after passengers take over the plane.

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