In 2020, there were 103 terrorist attacks in the United States. This is a significant increase from the 18 terrorist attacks that occurred in 2008.
Terrorism in the United States is seen as an act of violence with the motive to create ideological change. Terrorism in the United States is usually associated with Islamic terrorism and does not always consider ring-wing motives as terrorism. Since the September 11, 2001 attack, most terror acts committed on United States soil were perpetrated by U.S. born citizens. Additionally, since 1970, bombing/explosion type attacks were the most common type of terror attacks in the United States. 2017 saw the highest number of fatalities in terrorist attacks since 2001.
The September 11, 2001 attack was the deadliest terrorist attack in the United States. Perpetrated by terrorist group al-Qaeda, over 3,000 people died and around 6,000 people were injured. Furthermore, it caused long-term health problems for those who survived such as cancer and other respiratory diseases. The World Trade Center in New York City was destroyed and a portion of the Pentagon was severely damaged as a result of three different airplanes crashing into them. Following the attack, the United States declared the War on Terror and invaded Afghanistan. Additionally, the Homeland Security Act was introduced. It created the Department of Homeland Security, which seeks to protect civilians within and outside the borders of the United States and respond to terrorist attacks. However, nearly half of U.S. citizens said that they were only somewhat satisfied with the government’s response to 9/11.