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The Twin Towers before September 11, 2001
On September 11, Karli Buhr will honor emergency workers in a special way. The 11-year-old from Thatcher, Arizona, will take part in a memorial stair climb. Events like this one are held across the country. They honor the people who died trying to help others on September 11, 2001.
That day is now known as 9/11. Terrorists flew two planes into the Twin Towers in New York City. (Terrorists use violence to spread fear or try to force leaders to do something.) People ran from each of the 10-story towers. But firefighters and other first responders ran into the buildings. They climbed the stairs to save people.
Terrorists also flew a plane into the Pentagon. That’s the U.S. military headquarters in Virginia. A fourth plane crashed in a field in Pennsylvania. Nearly 3,000 people were killed in the attacks. That includes more than 400 emergency workers who died when the towers fell.
During memorial stair climbs, people walk up at least 2,071 steps. That’s the number of stairs that were in each of the Twin Towers.
Karli plans to attend a climb at Eastern Arizona College. She took part last year too. Each the country. They honor the person is given a badge with the name of a first responder who died in the attacks. Last year, Karli climbed in honor of firefighter John F. Ginley. The event taught Karli about the bravery of first responders.
“It helps me learn more about that day and remember the heroes,” Karli says.