Terrorism and terrorists feel like a fairly new threat in the world. We mistakenly think of terrorism as a force that grew from the 9/11 attacks. The fact is that they existed long before the massive terrorist event in New York City. Acts of terrorism have taken place throughout our history, some as far back as the turn of the century. Though techniques have evolved and the groups have changed, some of the oldest cases are still the worst and most tragic. Here is a look at the most devastating attacks throughout history.
10. November 13, 2015 – Paris Attacks, France
On the eve of November 13th 2015, a series of well coordinated terrorist attacks occurred in the French city of Paris. The attacks killed over 120 people, another 400+ people were injured in the attacks.
9. September 16, 1920 – Wall Street, United States
This attack may not rank as one of the highest when it comes to death count, but it is important because it is the oldest record of a terrorist group bombing a carefully selected target. The bomb detonated at 12:00 pm in New York City hitting the financial powerhouse that is Wall Street. There were a total of 38 people murdered and 143 injured. It is suspected that the group the Galleanists were responsible despite the fact that the case was never fully solved.
The Italian anarchist group never came forward and claimed the attacks and no further evidence was found to convict.
8. September 8, 1974 – TWA Flight 841
The worst in-air attack if we do not include the planes involved in 9/11. TWA Flight 841 flying from Athens, Greece to New York City. A fairly usual flight that was taking off from a popular vacation destination and heading back to the populous city. Mid-way through the journey the plane disappeared only to be found in the Ionian Sea. It was originally thought that engine failure was the reason for the crash but as further research was conducted on the leftover debris, it was determined that a bomb had been detonated within the plane.
Eventually the Abu Nadil terrorist group stood to claim the attack that killed all 80 passengers on board.
7. October 23, 2002 – Debrovka Theater, Russia
This terrorist event is unique because there were so many attackers involved. An estimated 40-50 armed Chechen militants stormed the theater to take the 850 visitors hostage. The terrorists were part of an Islamist separatist group that sent demands for Russia to withdraw their forces from within Chechnya. By withdrawing the 2nd Chechen war would essentially end. The incredible siege went on for an intense 2 ½ days during which the Russians gassed the building and then sent in a raid team.
The end result was 40 dead terrorists and 130 civilian deaths due to reactions to the gas that the Russians fed into the building.
6. November 26, 2008 – Mumbai, India
The recent attacks on Paris have brought back memories of the tactics used in Mumbai in 2008. During this attack the posh Hotel Taj Mahal was taken hostage for 64 hours as a heated battle was fought between the local police forces and the terrorist group that had taken the hotel. During the 3 days there were a series of 10 attacks that happened across Mumbai.
The Taj was the central target though bomb blasts rang out from 9 other locations. At the Hotel Taj Mahal there were a total of 100 deaths, all travelers staying at the famous hotel.
5. April 19, 1995 – Oklahoma City Bombing, United States
One of the worst attacks to ever happen on American soil was the singular work of Timothy McVeigh. McVeigh rigged bombs around the Alfred P. Murrah Federal building in Oklahoma City. When the bombs detonated the buildings exploded killing more than 170 people and injuring another 680.
As part of the death toll there were 20 innocent children. Timothy McVeigh was convicted and given the death penalty. He sat in prison for 6 years until his execution date.
4. October 23, 1983 – Beirut Bombing, Lebanon
Vehicles have been used to transport bombs for centuries, the bombing in Beirut was no exception. This tragedy features two truck bombs that were sent to two separate locations that were currently being used by the United States and the French military. The bombs were detonated via suicide and successfully killed more than 299 individuals, most of which were Americans. There were an additional 60 injured culminating in the single largest death toll for the U.S. Marines since Iwo Jima.
3. August 19, 1978 – Cinema Rex Fire, Iran
On August 19th 1978 a theater house in Abadan, called the Cinema Rex, was set fire. Initially there were contrasting views about which group is to blame for the fire. The government claimed that it was Islamic militants while other anti-Shah groups claimed it was SAVAK that set the fire. SAVAK being the governmental intelligence organization. Eventually it was brought to light that the fire in fact set by Islamic militants. In total more than 470 perished in the flames.
2. August 14, 2007 – Yazidi Suicide Bombings, Iraq
Yet another example of terrorist coordination. At 7:20 in the evening there were 4 suicide bombs detonated across several towns in Iraq. The two Yazidi cities of Kahtaniya and Jazeera were hit killing more than 500 civilians and wounding 1,500. The casualties and wounded make this the single worst car bomb event in the entire period of the Iraq War.
1. September 11, 2001 – World Trade Center Buildings, United States
There is no question that the single worst attack in the world was the attack on the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. The Islamic organization al-Qaeda claimed the attach that took out nearly 3,000 individuals while injuring another 8,900. To this day there are still reported health issues from the debris in the air following the collapse of the buildings. This was a carefully orchestrated event that included 4 planes, 2 hit the towers while one of the others hit the Pentagon in Washington DC. The 3rd missed the target completely and crashed into a field.
