In February of 2001, Guido and Jolanda Walther moved to the United States after living in Switzerland their whole lives. Just months after their big move, on Sept. 11, two planes struck the Twin Towers at the World Trade Center. Jolanda Walther was at home in Lawrenceville while her husband was away in New York City on a business trip. Guido Walther was in a meeting when he happened to glance at a TV and saw the chaos unfolding in front of him. He immediately called his wife and both became glued to the news for the next 24 hours.

When asked if the attacks on 9/11 impacted their view on America, positively or negatively, the Walthers said not at all. Not once did they regret their choice in immigrating to America. 

“They were all really scared because of what happened,” Jolanda Walther said, after being asked how their family and friends in Switzerland reacted to 9/11. “They didn’t realize what was going on.” Guido Walther chimed in and said, “Many people realized that America was vulnerable. Previously thought of as an island that was out of reach of any attacks or war.”

South of the Atlantic Ocean in a small city in Venezuela, Fabiola Galvis Castro, was at a doctor’s office when she saw the destruction of the Twin Towers on a small TV screen.

 “My perspective of the United States changed when I saw what happened because it was what no one ever expected. Normally, those attacks are common in other countries but not at all in the U.S.”

When questioned about if there was any presence of fear or hatred against Muslims in Venezuela after 9/11, Castro said,  “Yes sadly. It was comparable to how when COVID-19 hit, certain people said it was an Asian virus and blamed it on every person from Asia. At the time, anyone who even looked Middle Eastern was suspicious.” 

The Walthers had a similar response. “I think some of the fear that was created was also against Muslims and Easterners in general.” said Guido Walther. 

“I know a lot of American friends who were scared because they felt like they were vulnerable now that war was in front of them and not somewhere else.” – Guido Walther

A common difference that happened across the world was how airport security evolved post 9/11. “[In Switzerland] You had to go through security and stay in line to get checked so it became a big hassle.” stated Jolanda Walther. “Before, you could just go on a plane with little scissors and everything and after 9/11 everything was checked.”

“It was just like in America.” Guido Walther said. “All the terminals were closed off. There was no more reaching behind security. All materials and goods you could bring were checked and there were a lot of restrictions on things you couldn’t bring anymore.”

The impact that was left by the terrorism that occurred on September 11, 2001 was not only left on America but was stretched across the globe like a shadow. The importance of these events was extended far beyond politics and transcended into global society and culture with no regard to age, race, or country.

Several memorials have been created around the world in remembrance of the victims of the 9/11 attacks. These include the National September 11 Memorial Museum in New York City, the Living  Memorial Plaza in Jerusalem, the Memoria e Luce in Italy, and the September 11 Memorial Garden in London.