Ten years and three days ago, many current CHS students sat cross-legged on their elementary classroom floors listening to the news that would transform the nation for good. On Sept. 11, 2011 at 8:46 a.m., an airliner plowed into the North tower of the World Trade Center, preceding by two other terrorist attacks on the United States.

According to the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks upon the United States, more than 2,600 people died that morning at the World Trade Center, surpassing the death toll of Pearl Harbor.

A decade later, those students who are now juniors and seniors remember the day when the news that would change a nation came to them. The details of where they were, who told them and their first reactions are clear in their minds, especially because of the impact the event has had on the whole nation. However, some students do not have this recollection. They were only 4 or 5 years old after all, and 9/11 is a distant memory and the emotions associated with the event are not any clearer. When he was recently on “The Today Show”, Xavier Montjoy, who was born on 9/11, said, “In my life, it’s just not a big deal.” Despite having little memory of the actual event when it occurred, the act of terrorism that transpired on 9/11 is indeed still a big deal. Students should remember 9/11 as more than a date or event in history books and take into consideration the important consequences of that unfortunate day. Furthermore, older students who experienced 9/11 first-hand should take the time and spread awareness to younger students who might not regard it with the same passion or reverence. Just as the memories of Pearl Harbor and the excitement when Neil Armstrong first set foot on the Moon have been passed down to us, 9/11 is our generation’s burden and our responsibility. Although this day has passed and the United States commemorates the 10th anniversary of 9/11 this year, this generation needs to keep alive the value of that day.

Since 9/11 is a recent but significant event in U.S. history, students should treat the day with more reverence and consider what is behind the date and objective information in textbooks. 9/11 was not merely a part of a series of historical events that led to certain changes in this country, nor is the event just significant for what analytical value it has for historians. The loss of innocent lives, the attack on the American way of life and the changes that affect students’ lives right now are what make 9/11 prominent.

While in history class objectivity is the best way to look at such events, when it comes to remembering this tragic day, displaying emotion and opinion is important as well. For example, the generation who experienced Pearl Harbor regarded it as a complete catastrophe for the United States, but for students now it is just another section of history, just something else to memorize and regurgitate for test day. This mindset, however, is a mistake and students should stop it from happening to 9/11 as well. The day symbolizes more than just the event itself and students should make sure to remember what is behind the date.

In addition, 9/11 deserves students’ recognition because of its impact on the nation and the effects many Americans have to face today because of it. In addition to the pain and suffering caused by the loss of loved ones, the U.S. government has implemented changes due to the terrorist attacks on that day. For example, the War in Afghanistan is one controversial issue that was a result of the attacks, and a decade later, even students can feel the impact it has on society and individual lives. Airplane safety surveillance has become another hot topic after 9/11 and security has become so rigid in some areas that privacy issues are now a concern.

Although the vivid memories of 9/11 fade farther and farther away as time goes on, the outcomes of that day continue to be growing issues in society and American lives today. Ultimately, though, students need to keep in mind that they are a part of the generation who needs to keep the significance of 9/11 alive for those who are too young to remember it. It is no longer acceptable for younger students to be unaware of the importance of 9/11 and treat it as any other event. Those who vividly remember the day need to share their knowledge, and those who don’t need to be willing to learn from them. The only way preservation and remembrance of 9/11 will occur is if students keep the memory alive for generations to come.