2001THE GLOBAL WAR ON TERROR

''Certainly, being on the spot had a powerful effect on me. I knew how shocked and bewildered the Americans were, although everybody was very calm. Everybody understood that this was a game-changer.''

Afghanistan-based Al-Qaeda terrorists flew hijacked United States airliners into the twin towers of the World Trade Centre in lower Manhattan, and into the Pentagon, the US Defence Department headquarters in Washington. A fourth airliner crashed before nearing its apparent target, the White House. The death toll was 3000. Prime Minister John Howard, then in Washington, agreed to support US President George W Bush in the world’s first ‘war on terrorism’.

John Howard looks back on 9/11 — watch video

Mr Howard's speech to Parliament

Mr Howard's speech to Parliament

View the transcript of Mr Howard's speech to the Parliament on 17 September 2001 following the 9/11 attacks.

View transcript

Howard Library—September 11

Howard Library—September 11

ABC Radio Interview

ABC Radio Interview