✈️ This Week In History - The 9/11 Attacks

Welcome back History Nerds,

We hope you’re ready for another week of history, because this time we have another fun one for you. Have you been learning anything new from these newsletters? Let us know by sending us a response back to this email. We love reading all the responses back and even respond back to some of them personally. Thanks for sticking around with us for another week, and enjoy this edition of the LOL History Newsletter.

Did You Know? On April 3, 1911, the first modern zipper was debuted at a tradeshow in New York. It was originally called a “clasp locker” and was meant for boots, not pants. People thought it was a novelty, until fashion caught on and zippers started replacing buttons everywhere. Now they’re on everything from jeans to spacesuits, all thanks to a weird little invention nobody trusted at first.

During Your History Lesson You’ll Learn About:

• Michelangelo's David: A Statue for the Soul of Florence

• Joan of Arc Storms Paris with a Sword and a Mission

• Foundations of Learning: The Founding of Harvard College

• The Day Everything Changed: September 11, 2001

Power in Marble: Michelangelo’s David and the Politics of Art

On September 8, 1504, the city of Florence witnessed a moment of profound artistic and civic pride as Michelangelo's statue of David was unveiled to the public. Standing over 17 feet tall and carved from a single block of Carrara marble, the statue was placed in front of the Palazzo della Signoria (now Palazzo Vecchio), the seat of Florentine government. Far more than a biblical figure, Michelangelo’s David came to symbolize the spirit of the Republic of Florence—defiant, courageous, and watchful in the face of larger, more powerful enemies. The figure's intense gaze was directed toward Rome, signaling Florence's readiness to defend its freedom.

The unveiling marked a turning point in Renaissance art, as Michelangelo’s David broke away from traditional representations of the youthful shepherd boy. Instead, it portrayed a moment of tense anticipation before battle, showcasing the human form with unprecedented realism, anatomical precision, and emotional depth. Crowds gathered to marvel at the statue, and it quickly became one of the most celebrated sculptures of the Renaissance. That day in 1504 wasn't just about revealing a masterpiece; it was a declaration of Florence’s identity, resilience, and its place at the heart of a cultural revolution.

Joan of Arc Storms Paris with a Sword and a Mission

On September 8, 1429, Joan of Arc, the teenage peasant girl turned battlefield legend, marched toward Paris with one goal: kick out the Burgundians and reclaim the city for King Charles VII. She wasn’t just a face on a stained-glass window. Joan had already helped lift the siege of Orléans and get Charles crowned, and now she had her sights set on France’s crown jewel.

But Paris wasn’t exactly rolling out the welcome mat. Defended by troops loyal to the Duke of Burgundy, the city was fortified and ready. Joan led a bold assault, charging the gates with her usual fearless energy, but the mission didn’t go as planned. She took a crossbow bolt to the leg, and the French forces were eventually forced to retreat. It was one of her few defeats, but even wounded, she refused to back down.

Although the attack on Paris failed, it cemented Joan's reputation as someone who didn’t just hear voices, she acted on them. Her bravery and leadership sparked hope across France and shook the English and Burgundian alliance to the core. She wouldn’t live to see Paris fall back into French hands, but her story became legend. Not bad for a teenager who claimed to be on a mission from God.

America’s First College: The Story of Harvard’s Founding

On October 28, 1636, the Great and General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony voted to establish a college, laying the foundation for what would become Harvard College—the first institution of higher education in North America. The school was created primarily to train Puritan ministers and ensure an educated leadership in the colony, reflecting the settlers’ deep belief in the value of learning and moral instruction. Though it initially had no official name, it became known as Harvard in 1638 after John Harvard, a young minister who donated his personal library and half of his estate to the institution upon his death, securing his legacy as its first major benefactor.

The founding of Harvard on that autumn day in 1636 was a bold and visionary act, especially in a time when the American wilderness was still largely untamed and survival was uncertain. Establishing a college so early in the life of the colony reflected a long-term commitment to education, leadership, and civic responsibility. From those humble beginnings in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Harvard would grow into a global symbol of academic excellence, but its origins remain rooted in the ideals of religious devotion, intellectual rigor, and public service that shaped the early colonial world.

The Day Everything Changed: September 11, 2001

On the morning of September 11, 2001, four planes were hijacked by 19 terrorists from the group al-Qaeda. Two crashed into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, one hit the Pentagon in Washington, D.C., and the fourth went down in a Pennsylvania field after passengers fought back. Nearly 3,000 people lost their lives, and the attacks shocked the world.

While most people remember the towers falling, there’s more to the story. A lesser-known fact is that a third building (World Trade Center ) also collapsed later that day, even though it wasn't hit by a plane. Fires sparked by debris caused the building to fall hours after the initial attacks. In another first, the FAA shut down all civilian air traffic across the country, grounding over 4,000 planes and closing U.S. airspace for the first time in history.

In response, the U.S. government launched what became known as the War on Terror, beginning with military action in Afghanistan to target those responsible. New laws, intelligence agencies, and airport security measures were created in the months and years that followed. The events of that day continue to shape global politics, security, and the lives of those who remember where they were when the world stood still.

Grow Your Business by Advertising With Us!

Reach thousands of engaged history nerds who love fun, fascinating, and well-told stories from the past. If you want to get your brand in front of curious, history-loving readers, let’s chat!

Learn more about advertising with us!

See You Next Time!

We hope that you enjoyed this edition of the LOL History newsletter! See you next week!

— Evan & Derek - LOL History Co-Founders