Twenty-five years after the September 11th terrorist attacks, a Trent University history professor says the anniversary remains an important opportunity to remember how dramatically the world changed.
David Sheinin, a Professor of History at Trent University, describes 9/11 as a pivotal moment; particularly because it demonstrated the devastating consequences when extremist views turn to violence against civilians.
Sheinin says the anniversary is particularly significant because of the lasting changes that followed 9/11, while also warning against losing sight of what happened.
He says one of the trends he’s noticed in recent years is a tendency to forget the events and their significance.
Sheinin says extremist violence against civilians should not be normalized, adding that both Canada and the United States have experienced such attacks.
He also points to the relationship between Canada and the United States as one of the important parts of the story surrounding 9/11.
In the aftermath of the attacks, Canada welcomed diverted flights and passengers who could no longer enter the United States. Shannon says the long-standing relationship between the two countries remains significant.
For Sheinin, the anniversary is somewhat personal, as he remembers exactly where he was when he first heard the news on September 11th, 2001.
Sheinin says that ability to remember exactly where you were is something shared by many people who lived through the day.
As the 25th anniversary arrives, he says remembering remains an important part of understanding the world that followed.
(Written by: Branden Rushton)
