On November 3, 2014, the tallest skyscraper in the United States opened in New York City. For many Americans, the 104-story One World Trade Center is more than a skyscraper. It represents hope after one of the darkest days in our nation’s history.
The building is close to where the Twin Towers of the original World Trade Center once stood. On September 11, 2001, the towers were destroyed after terrorists flew two planes into them. (Terrorists are people who use violence to spread fear or gain power.)
Later that morning, another plane hit the Pentagon, the U.S. military headquarters near Washington, D.C. A fourth plane crashed in a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.
Nearly 3,000 people were killed that day, now known as 9/11. That includes more than 400 firefighters and other first responders. It was the deadliest attack on American soil in history. Still, the country vowed to rebuild after the tragedy.