As the world seems to continually advance to new technology, the tragedy's of the past seem to be remembered and relived. One of the most remembered and tragic events that has happened in my life time is the September 11, 2001 attacks on America. The attacks will have occurred nine years ago this coming September. The pain and the memories will always live on from that day in America. It’s easy to find remembrances on Wikipedia and Facebook, even though Facebook had been created about four years after September 11th. Technology is the way people communicate now, through texting, e-mail, and Facebook chats. The information that I recovered on Wikipedia from September 11 is very fact based. On the site it describes the event as a “mass murder,” and does not include the 19 terrorists in the death toll of 2,973 victims. Wikipedia mentions each plane, where they hit and what time. The site also tells how many people used their phones aboard the plane to talk to loved ones. And it also talked about the heroic events that took place on the United Airlines Flight 93 and talked about how the passengers’ rose up against the hijackers and flew the plane into a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Facebook is where most of the information on September 11th comes from personal experience and memories of that day. Many fan pages have been created to honor the day and remember the victims. Fan pages include, “I remember where I was at 8:46 A.M September 11, 2001,” “Remember September 11,” and one of the most intriguing fan pages called, “September-11-2001.us.” The last fan page I mentioned includes comments, pictures, and quotes by people. One comment came from a man who wrote, “ The terrorists have awakened a sleeping giant; U have only rocked the boat, the tidal wave is on its way and U will be swallowed by our 13 Amendments. GOD BLESS AMERICA.” There are many other quotes just like these on the fan page from people who are angry and hurt. The fans share provoking images that they have either found or captured of the event. Many images show the burning buildings, the firefighters and symbolically, the American flag being raised up above the ruble.
Clips from David Letterman’s first television show after the attacks are shown on the page. Letterman somberly speaks about the victims and the targeted city of New York and also gives his respect and admiration for the courageous, Mayor Rudolf Giuliani. One of the most meaningful clips on this fan page is one with no sound; the Budweiser Tribute to 9-11. As the clip rolls, you see a team of beautiful horses marching silently through the pure white snow of the country to a silent city. As they emerge into the city, they come upon an empty barren spot, surrounded by big buildings. The horses bow their heads and the image fades. This tribute to the victims and the city needs no words. As long as technology is here, the world will continue to use these resources during tragedy’s and disasters.
