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A Brief History of Terrorist Attacks on the U.S.A.
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A Brief History of Terrorist Attacks on the U.S.A. Terrorism: "The unlawful use of — or threatened use of — force or violence against individuals or property to coerce or intimidate governments or societies, often to achieve political, religious, or ideological objectives."— U.S. Department of Defense
Ayatollah RuhollahKhomeini • The Iranian Revolution began in 1979. • The U.S. backed the Shah, who was already in power. • Khomeini urged Iranians to rise up against the West and to fight for an Islamic Republic.
Iran Hostage Crisis • November 1979 • A group of students stormed the American embassy in Tehran. • Sixty-six (66) Americans were held hostage for 444 days.
Attacks in Beirut, Lebanon • In April of 1983, a van full of explosives was driven into the U.S. Embassy, killing sixty-three (63). • In October of 1983, Marine barracks were bombed, killing 241.
Attacks Continue • In December 1983, a truck filled with explosives was driven into the U.S. embassy in Kuwait. • In September 1984, a van exploded at the U.S. embassy in Beirut. • In April 1985, a bomb exploded in a restaurant frequented by U.S. soldiers in Madrid, Spain. • In August 1985, a van exploded at the U.S. Air Force base in Rhein-Main, Germany.
Achille Laro • September 1985 • A cruise ship was hijacked off of the coast of Egypt. • An American in a wheelchair was singled out and executed.
Pan Am Flight 103 • December 21, 1988 • Pan Am Flight 103 was bombed over Lockerbie, Scotland. • 259 people were killed.
World Trade Center • February 26, 1993 • A van filled with explosives was driven into the basement and detonated. • Six (6) people were killed and over 1,000 were injured.
Attacks on Military Complexes • In November 1995, a car bomb killed seven soldiers at a U.S. military complex in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. • In June of 1996, a truck bomb killed nineteen (19) and injured over 500 when it explodes at the U.S. Air Force barracks in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.
U.S. Embassy Bombings • Terrorists coordinated attacks on the U.S. embassies in Tanzania and Kenya (Africa) on August 7, 1998. • These attacks killed 224 people. U.S. Embassy bombings in Tanzania (above) and Kenya (left)
The U.S.S. Cole • A small boat pulled along side of the ship at a refueling dock in Yemen and exploded on October 12, 2000. • Seventeen (17) U.S. Navy Sailors were killed.
9/11 • On September 11, 2001 four commercial planes were hijacked and used as bombs. • Two planes hit the World Trade Center in New York City.
9/11 • One plane hit the Pentagon. • One plane crashed in Pennsylvania. • Nearly 3000 people, mostly civilians, were killed. • Americans finally woke up to the reality of terrorism.
Bombings in Europe • Since 9/11, attacks have targeted U.S. allies. • In the summer of 2005, a train exploded in Madrid, Spain and a bus exploded in London, England.
The War on Terror • After 9/11, the U.S. invaded Afghanistan in search of Osama Bin Laden, the man behind the attack. • Bin Laden was killed by US N Navy Seals in 2011.
Known Terrorist Organizations • Islamic Jihad • Hamas • Hezbollah • Al Qaeda • These and other terrorist organizations are recruiting and training future terrorists. • Most of these terrorists are not afraid to die for their cause.