Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource "September 11: Bearing Witness to History" Stories Submitted Online Description An account of the resource Visitors to the Smithsonian National Museum of American History's, "Bearing Witness to History" online exhibition submitted these reflections beginning in 2002. NMAH Story NMAH Story: Story How did you witness history on September 11th? Share your experience. This is an email I sent to European coworkers on September 12, trying to share some of my thoughts and feelings in those dark days: Dear friends in Europe and the UK, Thank you for the expressions of support and concern that several of you have sent. Here is a day in the life of the US, September 12: We wake up hoping that yesterday was only a nightmare. We watch TV, but not as much as yesterday. People everywhere wear long, serious faces. The stores are quiet--we can hardly talk about the usual topics. The disasters are discussed wherever we gather. Airports are closed, and some family and friends are stranded. Churches hold prayer services each evening. Tears flow at all hours of the day and night. Friends and family call one another to ask, "Are you all right? Was anyone in your family flying? Do you know anyone in Manhattan? Have they found any more survivors?" Our hearts are broken. Most of us in the US don't think of ourselves as better or more special than others--we know we are blessed far beyond what we deserve. Most Americans, I'm sure, didn't believe we were invincible. Only God is invincible. When we are wounded, we bleed--like any nation, large or small. We are a young nation that happens to be very big: like a child, we rush impulsively into situations where we think we can help others and ourselves. We alienate nations and individuals through our mistakes--but also through our good acts. We are made up of nearly every race and ethnicity on the planet--yet somehow we are seen as the Ugly Americans. Who is an American, anyway? We are Arab, Jewish, black, white, Asian, European, indigenous. In my small town we are East Indian, Hmong, Maidu Indian, African-American, Caucasian, Mexican . . . Today, the US flag flew in countless places in our homeland: on cars, on houses and businesses, on bridges. One woman stood and held a flag on a hill near the Pentagon for an hour. There is angry talk of vengeance and terror in return, but there is also talk of justice and healing. We line up to give blood. We send checks to the Red Cross. We hug each other often and say, "I love you" in case there is not another opportunity to do so. NMAH Story: Life Changed Has your life changed because of September 11, 2001? If so, tell us how. I have applied to work in public service, representing the United States. NMAH Story: Remembered What do you think should be remembered about September 11th? Many, many people were heroes on September 11, 2001. We should honor the acts of goodness that followed that act. Vengeance belongs to the Lord. NMAH Story: Flag Did you fly an American flag after the events of September 11th? Have your feelings about the American flag changed as a result of September 11th? Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource nmah2795.xml 911DA Item Elements describing a September 11 Digital Archive item. Status The process status of this item. approved Consent Whether September 11 Digital Archive has permission to possess this item. full Posting Whether the contributor gave permission to post this item. yes Copyright Whether the contributor holds copyright to this item. yes Source The source of this item. born-digital Media Type The media type of this item. story Created by Author Whether the author created this item. yes Described by Author Whether the description of this item was submitted by the author. no Date Entered The date this item was entered into the archive. 2002-09-10 IP Address The IP address of the device used to submit the item. 12.246.209.95