09/09/2026
Sorry for the length of this post. Please stop by the Library to view the poster display in the Children’s section.
September 11, 2001: The Day That Changed the World
There are many defining dates in our country’s history that seem to be embedded in our collective memories: the bombing of Pearl Harbor, the assassination of President Kennedy, the explosion after liftoff of the Space Shuttle Discovery, and September 11, 2001. Many radio and television programs were devoted to the “Where Were You When (fill in the blank) Happened?” format.
The Villisca Public Library will have on display September 11, 2001: The Day That Changed the World, an educational exhibition that presents the history of 9/11, its origins, and its ongoing implications through the personal stories of those who witnessed and survived the attacks. Told across 14 posters, this exhibition includes archival photographs and images of artifacts from the 9/11 Memorial & Museum’s permanent collection. It explores the consequences of terrorism on individual lives and communities at the local, national, and international levels, and encourages critical thinking about the legacies of 9/11.
Twenty-five years after the attacks, with terrorism still a threat today, the events of 9/11 and its aftermath remind us that we may never be able to prevent all the actions of people intent on harming others, but we do have control over how we respond to such events. Whether by volunteering in our local communities, serving our nation in the military, caring for the sick, or through other efforts, all of us can help build the world in which we want to live. As we witness history unfolding in our time, the ways we choose to respond—both large and small—can demonstrate the best of human nature after even the worst of days.
Originally created in observance of the 20th anniversary year of 9/11, this poster exhibition was developed by the 9/11 Memorial & Museum and has been made possible in part by the National Endowment for the Humanities: Democracy Demands Wisdom. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this exhibition do not necessarily represent those of the Nation Endowment for Humanities.
Do you remember where you were on 9/11? I do.
