Video: 'CNN: Inside the raid that killed Osama bin Laden'
(Monday, May 2, 2011, 1:00 a.m. Pakistan Standard Time; during the War on Terror) — Osama bin Laden, founder of the terrorist organization al-Qaeda and mastermind of the September 11 attacks, was killed early this morning in a firefight with United States Navy SEALs of the U.S. Naval Special Warfare Development Group (also known as DEVGRU or SEAL Team Six) in Pakistan.
In an address from in the East Room of the White House (delivered on May 1, 2011, at 11:35 p.m. EDT), President Barack Obama declared that “justice has been done” as he disclosed that American military and CIA operatives had finally cornered bin Laden, the leader of Al Qaeda, who had eluded them for nearly a decade.
Video: 'President Obama on Death of Osama bin Laden'
American officials said bin Laden resisted and was shot in the head. He was later buried at sea.
“For over two decades, bin Laden, 54, has been Al Qaeda’s leader and symbol,” the president said in a statement broadcast around the world. “The death of bin Laden marks the most significant achievement to date in our nation’s effort to defeat Al Qaeda. But his death does not mark the end of our effort. There’s no doubt that Al Qaeda will continue to pursue attacks against us. We must and we will remain vigilant at home and abroad.”
Video: '60 Minutes Presents: Killing bin Laden'
The September 11 attacks, often referred to as 9/11, were a series of four coordinated terrorist attacks by the Wahhabi terrorist group Al-Qaeda against the United States on the morning of Tuesday, September 11, 2001.
The attacks, which prompted the U.S. to initiate the War on Terror, resulted in 2,977 fatalities, over 25,000 injuries, and substantial long-term health consequences, in addition to at least $10 billion in infrastructure and property damage.
Video: 'SEAL describes killing Osama bin Laden'
It is the deadliest terrorist attack in human history and the single deadliest incident for firefighters and law enforcement officers in the history of the United States, with 343 and 72 killed, respectively.
The news of bin Laden’s demise touched off an extraordinary outpouring of emotion as crowds gathered outside the White House, in Times Square and at the ground zero site, waving American flags, cheering, shouting, laughing and chanting, “U.S.A., U.S.A.!”
In New York City, crowds sang “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Throughout downtown Washington, drivers honked horns deep into the night.
