Threat in the Air Historical Marker (2024)

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Stonycreek Township nearStoystown in Somerset County, Pennsylvania — TheAmericanNortheast (Mid-Atlantic)

Photographed By Sean Flynn, April 24, 2024

1. Threat in the Air Marker

Inscription. September 11, 2001 began with a clear, bright blue sky across the northeastern United States. The seven crew members assigned to Flight 93 prepared for the morning's nonstop trip from Newark, New Jersey, to San Francisco, California. Thirty-three passengers were traveling for ordinary reasons, while four others boarded with plans to hijack the aircraft.

The terrorist organization known as al-Qaeda started to plan the attack in 1999. Despite years of careful planning, some circ*mstances remained beyond their control. While the first three hijacked planes departed on schedule, Flight 93 took off more than 25 minutes late due to heavy air traffic.

Mayday!
Only four minutes after Flight 93 took off, hijacked American Airlines Flight 11 struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center in New York City. At 9:03 am, a second hijacked plane, United Airlines Flight 175, hit the South Tower.

Forty-six minutes into the flight, at 9:28 am, the terrorists aboard Flight 93 attacked the co*ckpit. Air traffic controllers in Cleveland, Ohio, heard the captain or first officer shout, "Mayday! Get out of here!" The hijackers seized control of the aircraft and turned it southeast, headed toward Washington, DC.

At 9:37 am, a third hijacked aircraft, American Airlines Flight 77, crashed into the Pentagon

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in Arlington, Virginia. Five minutes later, the Federal Aviation Administration ordered every aircraft over the nation to land at the nearest airport. In response to this unprecedented order, 4,500 aircraft landed safely without incident.

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: 9/11 Attacks • • Disasters. A significant historical date for this entry is September 11, 2001.

Location. 40°3.038′N, 78°54.084′W. Marker is near Stoystown, Pennsylvania, in Somerset County. It is in Stonycreek Township. The marker is in the Memorial Plaza of the Flight 93 National Memorial. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Stoystown PA 15563, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. America Attacked (here, next to this marker); "In the co*ckpit. If we don't, we'll die!" (here, next to this marker); Welcome to the Memorial Plaza (a few steps from this marker); Since September 11 (a few steps from this marker); The Investigation (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Welcome to the Memorial Plaza (within shouting distance of this marker); Crash Site and Debris Field (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Overlooking History (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Stoystown.

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Photographed By Sean Flynn, April 24, 2024

2. Three markers in the Memorial Plaza

All three of the markers in this photo are post-2016 replacements of original markers, featuring revised titles, text and layouts.

this marker. The marker is one a half-dozen located in the Memorial Plaza. It was installed sometime after 2016 and replaced an older marker, which was titled "Mayday!" In addition to the new title, this newer marker has revised text and a somewhat different font.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. The original marker: Mayday!

Photographed By Sean Flynn, April 24, 2024

3. Threat in the Air Marker

The marker is one of several in Memorial Plaza; in this photo is to the right of the tree.

Threat in the Air Historical Marker (2024)

References