Kent State University, September 11 Remembrance Project papers

Finding Aid

Prepared by Kevin Ferst, September 17, 2002; Last Updated: April 2021

Inclusive Dates: 2001
Extent: 1 cubic foot (1 record storage box and 1 document tube)
Physical Location: 11th floor

Historical Note: On the morning of Tuesday, September 11, 2001, a terrorist attack took place in the United States involving 4 hijacked planes, which resulted in approximately 3,000 deaths. Two airplanes struck the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City around 9:00 a.m., which caused the collapse of both buildings. In Washington, the third hijacked airplane crashed into the Pentagon at 9:43 a.m. The fourth airplane crashed in a field, at 10:10 a.m. in Somerset County, Pennsylvania.

In response to this tragedy, Kent State University placed two, 4-inch, 3 ring binders in the Risman Plaza, outside the Student Center, to provide a public place for members of the Kent State University community to write down, remember, and process their reactions to the events. Each page has the Kent State University logo on top, and below that reads: As a community, we remember... The remainder of each page contains the individual entries participants wrote down.

Scope and Content

This collection consists of the contents of the two, 4-inch 3 ring binders displayed in the Risman Plaza for members of the Kent State community to write down, remember, and process their reactions to the events of September 11, 2001. The contents of each binder was broken up into three folders each. Both binders were displayed simultaneously, so no chronological distinction should be made between the first and second binders. Some of the entries are dated and signed. Also included are a Washington D.C./USA T-shirt, with a biblical quote written on the back that was found at the Risman Plaze writing site, and the banner that hung over the notebooks during the time they were displayed in the Plaza.

Box 1
Contents

1. Remembrance Notebook Documents, Binder 1 (pt 1 of 3), 2001
2. Remembrance Notebook Documents, Binder 1 (pt 2 of 3), 2001
3. Remembrance Notebook Documents, Binder 1 (pt 3 of 3), 2001
4. Remembrance Notebook Documents, Binder 2 (pt 1 of 3), 2001
5. Remembrance Notebook Documents, Binder 2 (pt 2 of 3), 2001
6. Remembrance Notebook Documents, Binder 2 (pt 3 of 3), 2001
7. T-shirt, 2001

Box 2
Contents

1. Banner, hung over Remembrance Notebooks. As international students and scholars, we wish to express our deepest sorrow and sympathy following the tragic events of this past week. Like anybody else our words may fail to convey the depth of our grief, but our hearts are breaking along with yours. Tragedies like these affect all of us, regardless of nationality. Please allow us to share our grief with you and to help you in the coming days and weeks. [Signed] International Students and Scholars Kent State University, 2001.