19 years ago Friday

Americans on Friday will mark the 19th anniversary of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks that killed almost 3,000 people in New York, Virginia and Pennsylvania. 

Nineteen men affiliated with al-Qaida carried out the four hijackings.   
 
The deadliest attack on American soil since Pearl Harbor in 1941, the events of September 11 permanently changed America's perception of security and prompted then-President George W. Bush to declare war on terrorism and invade Afghanistan. 
 
U.S.-led coalition forces knocked the Taliban from power in Afghanistan.  The war there continues, although earlier this year the U.S. and Taliban signed an agreement aimed at ending the conflict.