On September 11, 2001, terrorists savagely attacked the United States of America. Thousands of people lost their lives when two planes crashed into the two buildings of World Trade Center 1 and the Pentagon. This brutal act shook the world. This terrorist attack changed many aspects of people's lives around the world. It not only affected the United States but the entire world. We later learned that we had lost one of our native virgin islanders. U.S. Army Sergeant Major Maudlyn A. White, 38, born on St. Croix, died on active duty at the Pentagon. She was described as a quiet and independent person. Not only was the Virgin Islands affected by his death, but also the financial decline the islands began to experience. After 9/11, the Caribbean was dramatically impacted; security levels increased, tourism levels plummeted and people became more reluctant to travel. According to Kimberly Amadeo, a journalist, on the morning of September 11, terrorists hijacked four planes at Logan Airport in Boston. Their goal was to cripple the American economy by destroying its center of power: Wall Street, the Pentagon and the White House. The first two planes successfully hit their targets. Nearly 2,600 people died at the World Trade Center, 125 at the Pentagon and 256 on the four planes; bringing the total deaths to 3,081. This attack left US citizens and survivors traumatized, causing businesses to close; which had a huge impact on the recession. For the first time since the Great Depression, stock markets were closed. On September 17, when stocks reopened, it was learned that the Dow had promptly fallen 7.13%. However, the major economic impact of the September 11 attacks was the increased defense spending which led the United States... middle of paper... to make it more concerned about personal safety, to make it suspicious of others and helped increase their faith. Two to three in ten adults said 9/11 prompted them to create an emergency plan and forced them to travel less by air. Fewer than one in ten adults said 9/11 made them move (AARP). Works CitedCollins, John. “The devastating impact of the September 11 terrorist attacks assessed.” Caribbean Business30.19 (2002): 70. Caribbean Research. Network. September 29, 2013.Collins, John. “The outlook for airlines in the region is grim.” Caribbean Affairs 30.22 (2002):15. Research in the Caribbean. Network. September 29, 2013.Seaney, rich. “9 Ways Security Has Changed Since 9/11.” N/A. September 7, 2011. Rates Comparison.Web. November 15, 2013Rubacky, Tim. “How safe are we at sea?” N/A. September 7, 2011. Cruise Buddies. Network. November 15.2013