Beyond the immediate devastation, this event led to a significant shift in life for New Yorkers—many chose to leave the city—and it became a catalyst for the U.S. incursion into the Middle East, sparking a war heavily televised by the media.

While the consequences of U.S. military actions and the 2011 capture of Osama Bin Laden, founder of Al Qaeda and mastermind behind the attack, are well known, the 9/11 tragedy also gave rise to numerous conspiracy theories. These myths, despite their lack of evidence, have persisted over time. Here are eight of the most common ones.

8 Myths and Rumors Surrounding 9/11 and the Twin Towers Attack

1. It Was an Inside Job by the U.S. Government

One of the most popular conspiracy theories is that the U.S. government, specifically then-President George W. Bush, orchestrated the attack to justify military intervention in Iraq and gain control of the region’s oil. The idea was that an attack on American soil would incite fear and rally the public to support the war effort. However, there is no credible evidence to support this theory.

2. The Towers Were Brought Down by Controlled Demolition

Some believe that explosives, rather than the plane crashes, caused the collapse of the towers. This theory hinges on the notion that the planes alone couldn’t cause such destruction in that time frame. However, extensive studies, including one from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), showed that the impact of the planes and the subsequent fires were sufficient to cause the collapse. The fire spread rapidly, weakening the steel structure and leading to the buildings’ fall.

3. The Towers’ Owner Orchestrated the Attack to Collect Insurance

Larry silverstein
Another myth suggests that Larry Silverstein, the owner of the Twin Towers, planned the attack to collect insurance money. While it is true that Silverstein filed a claim and eventually received a $2 billion settlement in 2007, this theory ignores the fact that the insurance policies were not fully in place by September 11, 2001.

4. Jet Fuel Can’t Melt Steel Beams

A common claim is that jet fuel doesn’t burn hot enough to melt steel, implying that the towers were brought down by explosives. While it’s true that jet fuel burns at temperatures lower than the melting point of steel, it was enough to weaken the steel’s structural integrity. Additionally, other materials burning in the towers contributed to the intense heat that ultimately led to the collapse.

5. The ‘Tourist Guy’ Photo

One of the most famous images circulated after the attacks showed a tourist standing on the observation deck of the Twin Towers with a plane approaching in the background. The image, however, is a hoax. Péter Guzli, the creator of the image, admitted it was digitally altered and never intended to go viral. The photo has numerous inconsistencies, including the type of plane and the direction it was flying.

6. The U.S. Military Failed to Intercept the Planes

Some argue that the U.S. military intentionally didn’t intercept the hijacked planes. However, during the hijackings, the planes’ transponders, which allow for precise tracking, were turned off or altered, making it extremely difficult for the military to track and intercept the aircraft in time.

7. The Pentagon Was Hit by a Missile

In addition to the Twin Towers, two other planes were involved in the 9/11 attacks—one targeted the Pentagon, and the other crashed in Pennsylvania. Some theorists claim that a missile, not a plane, hit the Pentagon. This theory has been debunked by the discovery of the plane’s black box and debris at the crash site.

8. Flight 93 Was Shot Down by the Military

The final hijacked plane, Flight 93, was headed for Washington, D.C., but crashed in Pennsylvania. Some believe it was shot down by the U.S. military because the crash site was small, yet debris was scattered over a wide area. However, the official investigation concluded that passengers on board attempted to retake control of the plane, leading the hijackers to crash it prematurely. Photographic evidence of the wreckage and the plane’s black box confirm this account.

While we honor the memory of those lost, it’s important to dispel the myths and conspiracy theories that continue to surround this event to pay homage and respect to the families of the nearly 3,000 people that were killed on this horrific event.