Archive · 11 Sep 2026
Early Online Post Captured Horror Minutes After 9/11
Soon after 9/11 began, someone wrote an online message about what they were seeing.
They said a plane had crashed into a building.
Television reports suggested the crash had happened about six minutes earlier.
The writer was about 60 blocks away from the building.
From there, the writer could see smoke above the skyline.
The message said there were not yet many complete news stories available.
Because of that, the writer linked only to CNN’s main page.
The post became an early online record of the event.
An online post described a plane crashing into a building during the September 11 attacks.
The writer said television reports indicated the crash had occurred about six minutes earlier.
The writer and others were approximately 60 blocks north of the building.
They said smoke could be seen over the skyline.
The post apologized for linking only to CNN because no full stories were yet available.
- Who
- An unnamed online writer and people approximately 60 blocks from the building.
- What
- An early online account reported that a plane had crashed into a building and that smoke was visible.
- When
- The post was written about 12 minutes after 9/11 began; the writer said television reports placed the crash about six minutes earlier.
- Where
- Approximately 60 blocks north of the building, with the smoke visible over the skyline.
- Why
- The writer was documenting the developing event and explaining why only CNN’s main page was linked.
- Event
- September 11 attacks
- Reported incident
- A plane crashed into a building
- Timing
- The post appeared 12 minutes after 9/11 began
- Reported crash timing
- Television reports said the crash occurred about six minutes earlier
- Distance from scene
- About 60 blocks north
- Visible aftermath
- Smoke over the skyline
- Linked source
- CNN’s main page