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A look back: President George W. Bush first pitch during 2001 World Series
Nearly two months after the tragic attacks on September 11, then President George W. Bush threw out the first pitch at the 2001 World Series. The game and gesture by the president was meant to instill a sense of hope and unity after one of the biggest tragedies the U.S. had ever experienced.
It’s been 25 years since the devastating terror attacks on September 11, an event that changed how the United States – and the world – looked at safety and security.
Since the attacks, strict rules on how we travel through airports and even sporting events have been implemented to ensure a safe environment that prevents another disaster from taking place again.
RELATED: Behind the scenes: President Bush's chaotic hours after the 9/11 attacks
President Bush’s 1st pitch during 2001 World Series
FILE - Freeze-frame from video of then-President George W. Bush throwing the first pitch at the 2001 World Series nearly two months after the attacks on September 11. (WNYW)
Dig deeper:
Seven weeks after the terror attacks on September 11, President George W. Bush took to the pitcher’s mound to throw out the first pitch at the 2001 World Series between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the New York Yankees.
RELATED: 9/11 memorials in New York City, at the Pentagon, and in Pennsylvania honor the lives lost
The game took place on Oct. 30, 2001, and was the first major event since the tragedy and though the atmosphere was tense, the hope was that the game would help fans have a moment of reprieve from one of the biggest tragedies in U.S. history, according to MLB.com.
What’s more, Bush donned a bullet-proof vest at the advice of the Secret Service.
Bush delivered a strike over home plate, instilling a moment of unity mere weeks after a terror attack claimed nearly 3,000 lives.
FILE - Freeze-frame from video of then-President George W. Bush throwing the first pitch at the 2001 World Series nearly two months after the attacks on September 11. (WNYW)
September 11 attacks
The backstory:
On Sept. 11, 2001, militants associated with the extremist group al-Qaeda hijacked four commercial airliners in a coordinated suicide attack against the U.S., killing nearly 3,000 people.
Two planes were flown directly into the Twin Towers in New York City, causing both skyscrapers to collapse within hours and destroying lower Manhattan, while a third struck the Pentagon military headquarters in Arlington, Virginia.
RELATED: September 11, 2001 timeline of attacks and events
Passengers aboard the fourth hijacked aircraft, United Flight 93, fought back against the hijackers after learning of the other strikes, forcing the plane to crash into a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania before reaching its intended target.
The attacks led to significant long-term domestic and global policy changes, including the establishment of the Department of Homeland Security and the launch of the U.S. "war on terrorism."
The Source: Information for this article was taken from archival video from 2001 of President George W. Bush throwing the first pitch of the World Series nearly two months after the terror attacks of September 11. MLB.com, the 9/11 Memorial & Museum website and the Department of Homeland Security website also contributed.