About 700 people took part in the 9/11 stair climb at Eastern Arizona College last year.

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Climbing for Heroes

Remembering 9/11
Watch a video to learn more about this tragic day in American history.

Courtesy of family

Karli Buhr

Karli Buhr plans to honor first responders in a special way on September 11. The 11-year-old from Thatcher, Arizona, will take part in a memorial stair climb. Events like this one are held nationwide. They honor emergency workers who risked their lives to help others on September 11, 2001. 

That day, terrorists flew two planes into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. Terrified people ran from each of the 110-story skyscrapers. But firefighters, police officers, and other emergency workers ran into the towers. They climbed the stairs to try to save people.  

Meanwhile, a group of terrorists flew a third plane into the Pentagon. That’s the U.S. military headquarters in Arlington, Virginia. A fourth plane crashed in a field in Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

Nearly 3,000 people died that day, which is now known as 9/11. That includes more than 400 firefighters, police officers, and paramedics who were killed when the Twin Towers collapsed.

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The Twin Towers before they were attacked on September 11, 2001

Coming Together

During memorial stair climbs, people walk up at least 2,071 steps. That’s the number of stairs that were in each of the Twin Towers. 

Karli plans to attend a climb at Eastern Arizona College for the second year in a row. Each person gets a badge with the name and photo of a first responder who died on 9/11. Last year, Karli climbed in honor of New York City firefighter John F. Ginley.

The event taught Karli about the bravery of first responders.

“It helps me learn more about that day and remember the heroes,” Karli says.

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