15 years have passed since what some may refer to as the worst-ever attack on American soil.
Since the devastating incidents that occurred on September 11, 2001, the United States of America, and many nations for that matter, recognize and acknowledge the significance of each anniversary. September 11 has become more than just a date; it’s a landmark in time that has changed people’s lives forever.
While many of our campus’s students were very young when the Twin Towers and Pentagon were breached with hijacked planes, the memories of the event have still lingered in our minds. Although these memories may be vague, and not completely formed, our generation was able to develop personal memories of the day.
A decade and a half later, newer generations have no personal memory of the day. Their opinions, beliefs and feelings toward Sept. 11 will not be formed from their own memories, but rather the way in which they are taught.
In various K-12 education systems across the nation, lesson plans regarding Sept. 11 are mainly left up to local school districts, their respective administrators and individual teachers. With that being said, there is a large grey area regarding the teaching of the attacks.
Some students may learn about the entirety of the day, including the relating political and economic environment before and after the attacks. Other students may just be given an ahistorical overview, while others may learn about the event through an even narrower lens, if even at all.
With the drastic variations in the curriculum of Sept. 11 across the nation, some may question if the memorable phrase “never forget” will survive through the following generations. As time goes on and Sept.11 becomes less of a memory and more of the nation’s history, its respective curriculum may become more uniformed and comprehensive in K-12 school systems.
Until that time comes, the complexity of Sept. 11 and the emotions and stigma surrounding the day may not even penetrate the minds of newer generations.