JONESBORO, Ark. – For many students at Arkansas State University, the 9/11 terrorist attacks exist only in textbooks and classroom discussions. While they were not yet born when the events unfolded, students say the tragedy’s legacy remains significant.
Talonnie Grimes, a sophomore at A-State, shared that she first learned about 9/11 in school, watching videos that left a lasting impression. “I believe I was in elementary or middle school. I remember we watched a video about 9/11, and it talked about the effects it had on people, how the planes crashed, and just how horrible it was during that time,” Grimes said.
In 25 states, including Arkansas, education standards require or encourage students to learn about the 9/11 attacks and their impact. Arkansas’ modern U.S. history standards, last updated in 2022, call for instruction on changes and continuity in U.S. foreign policy since 2001.
Adrian Sanchez, also a sophomore, recalled how his school marked the anniversary annually. “We always watched it every year because like the planes crashed and all that. And then we always talked about the whole day. You know, it was just really important,” Sanchez said.
He emphasized the importance of remembering the lives lost, adding, “We lost many lives. You know, and just like feel for the families that lost their lives on there. And I feel like we should honor it every year.”
For senior David Karki, the events of September 11 continue to shape attitudes about national security. “This date definitely plays an important role in any American’s life,” Karki said. “And then whatever happened was like, it should not have happened. And I think like the government, and everything is doing their best to... to like protect America from having any incident like that regarding safety and everything.”
With fewer people alive who directly remember the events of September 11, 2001, students recognize that the responsibility to keep the memory alive increasingly falls to younger generations.