Ten years ago this Sunday, terrorist attacks in New York and Washington DC shocked and saddened the world.
The assaults on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, and the failed fourth hijacking that brought down United 93 over Pennsylvania, not only cast a heavy cloud of sorrow and grief over North America, but the fallout would largely define both American politics and international relations in the decade that followed.
However, in the moment, what most people in North America seemed focused on was what they could to help. And the Dalhousie community was no different.
As highlighted in the September 19, 2001 edition of Dalhousie News—our printed predecessor—hundreds of students, faculty and staff jammed the McInnes Room on September 12 and 13, lining up to donate blood through Canadian Blood Services. Countless members of the Dal community were among those who billeted and hosted airline passengers who were stranded at the airport.
Among the most visible efforts to help came from the residents of Gerrard Hall. More than 60 of them volunteered for hours to help load, unload, transport and set up donated mattresses that were used to host stranded travelers at Exhibition Park. Remarked one observer, “The support from students was overwhelming.”
Everyone has their ‘Where were you?’ story of how they remember that day. What’s yours?
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