The 10-Year Anniversary of 9/11
September 11, 2001 will forever be etched in the minds of many as a day of loss, fear and confusion. As people watched national icons fall to pieces in real-time, many feared for the lives of loved ones and struggled to make sense of the terrible tragedy.

If your student was just a child when the attacks took place, she will now view these events through an adult filter. That day, 9/11, was a defining moment in her life up to this point, just as the Challenger disaster and JFK's assassination were for other generations.

As you prepare to honor this dark day in history, consider how you might acknowledge this important topic with your student. It's a time for raising awareness and honoring those we lost as well as those who served others.

Engaging in Thoughtful Conversation
Here are several resources that can help you and your student create a thoughtful conversation about 9/11 from a variety of angles:

A Day of Service. 9/11 is a federally-recognized Day of Service and Remembrance. To find and support a cause that matters to you and your student, head to www.911dayofservice.org.

Teachable Moments. For some personal and community ideas about creating teachable moments related to the 10th anniversary of 9/11, from creating a day of gratitude to considering others who are living with terrorism, head to www.melibeeglobal.com.

The Dogs of 9/11. A great deal of attention was placed on the dogs of 9/11. Highlight their heroic and selfless acts of kindness via the resources at: www.dogsinthenews.com.

Campus Happenings. Bismarck State College (ND) will be holding a symposium examining the effects of 9/11 on those living in the heartland. Harvard will sponsor a campus wide teach-in. Penn State Berks will feature a memorial exhibition in their art gallery, along with other events. At Florida International University, "Unity/Diversity" activities will take place, including a student film contest, an oral history project, a day of service and more.

Check out what's happening on campus and in the community, as you and your student remember this somber anniversary. While the world has moved forward since 9/11, looking back can sometimes provide illumination about important events in history.

Sources: Bismarck Tribune, 5/11/11; Penn State Live, 6/15/11; Harvard Center for Middle Eastern Studies; FIU News, 6/20/11

Find Out more on Facebook
Sept. 11, 2001 united all of America and much of the world too. Head to Facebook to view the page that has been established in honor of the 10th Anniversary of 9/11 by searching "Never Forget 9/11 — 10th Anniversary."

Five Facts About the World Trade Center on 9/11

1. The north tower, 1 WTC, stood for 102 minutes, 5 seconds after impact. The south tower, 2 WTC, collapsed about 56 minutes later.
   
2. Each floor of the Twin Towers was approximately one acre in size.
   
3. People from 83 different countries died in the attacks on the World Trade Center.
   
4. The fires at Ground Zero burned for 99 days, until Dec. 19.
   
5. 2,749 death certificates were filed relating to the WTC attacks, as of February 2005.