Government acts to prevent future attacks On September 11, 2001, a series of organized suicide attacks, carried out by al-Qaeda, took place around 8 a.m. Earlier in the morning, the four commercial airliners, which then crashed into buildings, were hijacked by nineteen Al-Qaeda terrorists. These terrorists intentionally crashed two of these planes into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York. The third crashed into the Pentagon in Arlington, Virginia, and the fourth plane crashed in a field in Pennsylvania. The passengers of the fourth plane fought off the terrorists while trying to regain control of the plane. These attacks killed more than 3,000 people, including nineteen terrorists, and made many people realize that the United States would be changed forever. Since that day, preventing further terrorist attacks has become the number one priority in America. Over the years, American society has seen many changes occur regarding government laws that enhance security, provide greater access to private records, and protect our homeland. To keep Americans and foreigners safe when traveling from one place to another, many programs have been created, as well as many new procedures. The agency responsible for transportation systems is the Transportation Security Administration. There are about 50,000 new federal employees, including TSA agents. Their goal is to keep Americans safe when traveling by preventing criminal acts involving transportation systems like railroads, airplanes, or on bridges (Transportation). Some positive things the TSA has accomplished would become more technologically advanced, so next generation detection...... middle of paper ...... Story Reference Center. Internet. April 13, 2014 “Homeland Security”. Prevent terrorism and strengthen security. Np, and Web. May 7, 2014. Johnson, Bryan. Toptenz. 2011. Internet. April 19, 2014. Mockaitis, Tom. “September 11 Terrorist Attacks.” Advanced World Book. World Book, 2014. Web. April 14, 2014. Pierce, Alan. September 11, 2001. Edina, Minn.: ABDO Pub., 2005. Print. Seaney, Rick. “9 Ways Security Has Changed Since 9/11.” PriceCompare. Np, September 7, 2011. Web. May 8, 2014. “Enhanced Border Security and Visa Reform Act of 2002, HR 352.” Center for Immigration Studies. Np, and Web. May 8, 2014. “Transportation Security Administration.” World Book Discovery. World Book, 2014. Web April 22, 2014. Torr, James D. The Patriotic Act. Detroit, MI: Lucent Books/Thomson Gale, 2006. “Visa Security Program” print. Visa Security Program. Np, and Web. May 7 2014.