A Brief History of Terrorist Attacks on the U.S.A. Terrorism: "The unlawful use of — or threatened use of — force or violence against individuals or property to coerce or intimidate governments or societies, often to achieve political, religious, or ideological objectives." — U.S. Department of Defense

Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini  The Iranian Revolution began in  The U.S. backed the Shah, who was already in power.  Khomeini urged Iranians to rise up against the West and to fight for an Islamic Republic.

Iran Hostage Crisis  November 1979  A group of students stormed the American embassy in Tehran.  Sixty-six (66) Americans were held hostage for 444 days.

Attacks in Beirut, Lebanon  In April of 1983, a van full of explosives was driven into the U.S. Embassy, U.S. Embassy, killing sixty-three killing sixty-three (63). (63).  In October of 1983, Marine 1983, Marine barracks were barracks were bombed, killing bombed, killing

Attacks Continue  In December 1983, a truck filled with explosives was driven into the U.S. embassy in Kuwait.  In September 1984, a van exploded at the U.S. embassy in Beirut.  In April 1985, a bomb exploded in a restaurant frequented by U.S. soldiers in Madrid, Spain.  In August 1985, a van exploded at the U.S. Air Force base in Rhein-Main, Germany.

Achille Laro  September 1985  A cruise ship was hijacked off of the coast of Egypt.  An American in a wheelchair in a wheelchair was singled out was singled out and executed. and executed.

Pan Am Flight 103  December 21, 1988  Pan Am Flight 103 was bombed over Lockerbie, Scotland.  259 people were killed.

World Trade Center  February 26, 1993  A van filled with explosives with explosives was driven into was driven into the basement the basement and detonated. and detonated.  Six (6) people were killed were killed and over 1,000 were injured. and over 1,000 were injured.

Attacks on Military Complexes  In November 1995, a car bomb killed seven soldiers at a U.S. military complex in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.  In June of 1996, a truck bomb killed a truck bomb killed nineteen (19) and nineteen (19) and injured over 500 when injured over 500 when it explodes at the it explodes at the U.S. Air Force U.S. Air Force barracks in barracks in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia. Dhahran, Saudi Arabia.

U.S. Embassy Bombings  Terrorists coordinated attacks on the U.S. embassies in Tanzania and Kenya (Africa) on August 7,  These attacks killed 224 people. U.S. Embassy bombings in Tanzania (above) and Kenya (left)

The U.S.S. Cole  A small boat pulled along side of the ship at a refueling dock in Yemen and exploded on October 12,  Seventeen (17) U.S. Navy U.S. Navy Sailors were Sailors were killed. killed.

9/11  On September 11, 2001 four commercial planes were hijacked and used as bombs.  Two planes hit the World Trade the World Trade Center in New Center in New York City. York City.

9/11  One plane hit the Pentagon.  One plane crashed in Pennsylvania.  Nearly 3000 people, mostly civilians, were killed.  Americans finally woke finally woke up to the reality up to the reality of terrorism. of terrorism.

Bombings in Europe  Since 9/11, attacks have targeted U.S. allies.  In the summer of 2005, a train exploded in Madrid, Spain and a bus exploded in London, England.

The War on Terror  After 9/11, the U.S. invaded Afghanistan invaded Afghanistan in search of Osama in search of Osama Bin Laden, the Bin Laden, the man behind the attack. man behind the attack.   Bin Laden was killed by US N. Navy Seals in 2011.

Known Terrorist Organizations  Islamic Jihad  Hamas  Hezbollah  Al Qaeda  These and other terrorist organizations are recruiting and training future terrorists. terrorist organizations are recruiting and training future terrorists.  Most of these terrorists are not afraid to die for their cause.