1. North Carolina lost lives during the 9/11 terrorist attacks: On September 11, 2001, a total of 2,977 people were killed in attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon in Washington D.C., and United Airlines Flight 93, which crashed in Pennsylvania. Among the victims were three North Carolinians: Patrick Joseph Buhse, Richard Michael Caproni, and Isaac Ho‘opi‘i.

2. North Carolinians witnessed the aftermath of the attacks: In the days and weeks following the attacks, North Carolinians witnessed the impact of the tragedy, both on the national level and at home. At Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, Marines prepared for deployment to Afghanistan as part of the U.S. military response to the attacks.

3. North Carolina played a role in the investigation of the attacks: The investigation into the 9/11 attacks involved multiple federal agencies, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). North Carolina played a role in this investigation: several of the hijackers traveled through the state on their way to the attacks, and the FBI carried out raids and made arrests in Charlotte and Raleigh in connection to the attacks.

4. North Carolinians responded with aid and support: In the aftermath of the attacks, North Carolinians responded with aid and support. Blood drives were held across the state to help victims of the attacks, and firefighters and other first responders from North Carolina traveled to New York City to assist in search and rescue efforts.

5. North Carolina's communities continue to commemorate the attacks: In the years since the attacks, North Carolina communities have organized events to honor and remember the victims of the attacks. The North Carolina 9/11 Memorial in Charlotte features a steel beam recovered from the World Trade Center and serves as a place of remembrance and reflection.