Irish Examiner view: Life has not been the same since 9/11

This Friday marks the 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks. Ahead of coverage of that anniversary in the 'Irish Examiner', we pause to take the long view on that watershed moment

'Even here in Ireland, at a remove of thousands of miles, the sight on TV screens of the planes hitting the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York had a visceral impact.' File picture: Jim Burke/PA

Describing events as watershed moments in history can often sound like an exaggeration, but not in the case of September 11, 2001. It is fair to say that modern life has never been quite the same since that autumn day 25 years ago.

For those who followed the sequence of events on the day, the sense of shock is easily recalled. Even here in Ireland, at a remove of thousands of miles, the sight on TV screens of the planes hitting the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York had a visceral impact. The fact that that visual impression was so strong and immediate at the time helps to revive the disbelief experienced by all.