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Home » Charlie Clark Center for Local History » September 11 Resources

September 11 Resources

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LOCAL HISTORY ↓

EVENTS ↓

BOOKS ↓

eRESOURCES ↓

COUNTY RESOURCES

Remembering 9/11 in Arlington

Explore a selection of Arlington Public Library’s print and digital materials related to the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and the attack on the Pentagon, including documents, oral histories and photographs from the Charlie Clark Center for Local History.

Please note that some materials have not been digitized. To access items that are not available online, please schedule a research appointment.

Local history
Events
Books
eRESOURCES
County Resources

From the Blog

Delve into collected articles on the subject of September 11, 2001 and Arlington's response.

Foam Unit Arrives; Arrival of the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport's Foam Unit 331 to the Pentagon after the attack, showing the impact area prior to collapse. Photo credit Charlie Clark Center for Local History, 133-01-01-01-0002

Remembering 9/11

The events of September 11, 2001 in New York City, Shanksville and Arlington shocked the country.

Firefighters Planning Next Steps Two firefighters draw plans to work on the impact site at the Pentagon following the 9/11 attack. Photo credit Michael Defina. Charlie Clark Center for Local History, 133-0030

The Response in Arlington

For Arlington County first responders, who led the rescue and recovery efforts at the Pentagon for nearly two grueling weeks, the world after September 11, 2001, would never be the same.

Large banner that reads, “Let there Be Peace on Earth” displayed near the Pentagon following the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Photo credit Diane Kresh. Charlie Clark Center for Local History, 133-01-02-01-130

Resilience and Community

On September 11, 2001, the United States suffered a devastating terrorist attack. Yet amid tragedy, remarkable acts of courage, sacrifice and resilience emerged.

Close-up of an interview setup with a person in a yellow top holding a pen near a notebook, and a microphone on a stand in front of them.

Remembering September 11: An Oral History Collection

On the fifth anniversary of the attacks, the Charlie Clark Center for Local History conducted interviews with first responders and Arlingtonians.

child's drawing of a firefighter spraying water on the Pentagon

Remembering September 11: Cards for Firefighters

Children from around the country showed their support for Arlington’s first responders with homemade cards and encouraging words.

Oral Histories

Read transcripts from more than 40 interviews with community members and first responders.

“One thing that I will always remember… we were on the ramp from I-395 down to Washington Boulevard, and I looked over to South Joyce Street… if there was ever an image of Armageddon...

All I saw were hundreds and hundreds of people walking with nowhere to go. These were civilians, they were military… there was no one telling them where to go, just a block of humanity going down Joyce Street.”

James M. Daly, lieutenant, Arlington County Police Department
Interviewed August 2006. Read full transcript.

“You could tell who had heard the news and who had not because there were people out strolling, looking absolutely shell shocked or bereft, and there were other people who were just smiling and walking their dogs.”

Elizabeth Davis, Arlington County resident
Interviewed August 2006. Read full transcript.

“It was in some ways chaotic as all catastrophes are in the beginning.

But what I’m most proud of is the way that the people in the Arlington County Fire Department, the Arlington Police Department and our neighbors in the region that we had worked with for so many years to build this regional capability to respond really did all come together to serve these people in need in this one common goal of dealing with this catastrophic situation.”

James Schwartz, Fire Chief, Arlington County Fire Department
Interviewed July 2006. Read full transcript.

“We had lots of calls from people that wanted to just help any way that they could. We had people that donated food, supplies, whatever they possibly could.

People were just calling saying, ‘I want to do something, but I don’t know what to do.’ If all I can tell you to do is go donate blood then do that, because at least you’re doing something tangible that helps.”

Kyra Pulliam, Arlington County Police Dispatcher
Interviewed August 2006. Read full transcript.

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Photographs, Documents and More

Explore the Center for Local History’s digital RG 133 collection documenting Arlington’s response to and recovery from September 11.

View Collection

Events Marking the 25th Anniversary

Join a community panel on remembrance and renewal on Sept. 1, participate in the Arlington 9/11 Memorial 5K on Sept. 5, or hear retired ACPD Deputy Chief Stephen Holl reflect on the response to the Pentagon attack on Sept. 9.

On Sept. 11, Arlington County will also hold its 25th anniversary remembrance ceremony, with the community invited to watch online or at several Library locations.

Related Book Lists

September 11 Book List for Adults

September 11: Books for Adults

September 11 Book List for Kids

September 11: Books for Kids

Digital Resources from our eCollection

Access Video On Demand. Thumbnail for 9/11 Inside the Pentagon documentary.

Access Video on Demand

Watch documentaries, interviews and more from PBS, BBC, HBO and A&E.

ProQuest U.S. Newsstream. Washington Post front page from September 12, 2001 with headline "Terrorists hijack 4 airliners, destroy World Trade Center, hit Pentagon; hundreds dead." Image shows the smoking twin towers after the collision.

ProQuest U.S. Newsstream

Read contemporary and archival coverage from United States news sources.

Explora Research Database. Screenshot of September 11 topic overview showing related articles and topics like terrorism trials & the USA Patriot Act.

Explora

Find trustworthy research sources like articles, e-books, news and videos.

Gale in Context: Elementary Database. Screenshot of an overview of the September 11 attacks tailored to younger learners.

Gale in Context: Elementary

Introductory research resources tailored to K–5 students.

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