Osama Bin Laden was born in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia in 1957 or 1958. He was the 17th of 52 children of Mohammed Bin Laden. Osama Bin Laden had a privileged and pampered upbringing. He went to school in Jidda and married young. He then joined the Islamist Muslim Brotherhood. Osama Bin Laden worshiped Islam beliefs. They shaped every decision he made and influenced his political views. In 1988 Osama Bin Laden formed al-Qaeda. Osama Bin Laden reigned terror on America for 19 years and is responsible for an unquantifiable number of American deaths. Osama Bin Laden had the biggest impact on 21st century America because he was the mastermind behind numerous acts of terror on the United States, heightened United States security, and put the United States…show more content… After the final plane turns toward Washington, some of the crew members and passengers attempt to retake control; the plane crashed near Shanksville, Pa. Almost 3,000 people die in the worst terrorist attack on U.S. soil” (“Investigating Power”). The result of this attack is just under 3,000 American deaths. In the aftermath of the attacks, Americans rallied together and a sense of unity was achieved in order to send a message. Many people were looking to support and help others in anyway they could. When President George Bush addressed the nation he said, “Terrorist attacks can shake the foundations of our biggest buildings, but they cannot touch the foundation of America. These acts shatter steel, but they cannot dent the steel of American resolve” (Bush quote). Despite America's best effort to remain united and strong, Americans across the country were…show more content… Following the attacks President Bush initiated a global war on terrorism, primarily targeting al-Qaeda and its affiliates. The United States entered Afghanistan promptly after the attacks to take out al-Qaeda and the Taliban government. This became the longest running war in United States history. The combat mission for the American military in Afghanistan ended in 2014 but the US Military remains involved as advisor to and trainers of the Afghan military. The US military also conducts counter terrorism operations in Afghanistan. "Since 9/11, millions of young U.S. soldiers have been deployed overseas, thousands have been killed, and many have returned home with debilitating physical and mental injuries”(Green). Of the 3.1 million people who entered the military from 2001-2011, just under 2 million were deployed to Iraq or Afghanistan. Between 2001-2011 more than 6,000 American troops have been killed, and roughly 44,000 wounded. Even among those who returned home safely, 18% of U.S service members suffer from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and 20% suffer from traumatic brain injury (Green). In some small measure these lingering wounds