The Day the World Came to Town: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland
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- Create Date：2021-09-13 10:53:26
- Update Date：2025-09-06
- Status：finish
- Author：Jim DeFede
- ISBN：0060559713
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Summary
"For the better part of a week， nearly every man， woman， and child in Gander and the surrounding smaller towns stopped what they were doing so they could help。 They placed their lives on hold for a group of strangers and asked for nothing in return。 They affirmed the basic goodness of man at a time when it was easy to doubt such humanity still existed。"
When thirty-eight jetliners bound for the United States were forced to land in Gander， Newfoundland， on September 11， 2001， due to the closing of United States airspace， the citizens of this small community were called upon to come to the aid of more than six thousand displaced travelers。
Roxanne and Clarke Loper were excited to be on their way home from a lengthy and exhausting trip to Kazakhstan， where they had adopted a daughter， when their plane suddenly changed course and they found themselves in Newfoundland。 Hannah and Dennis O'Rourke， who had been on vacation in Ireland， were forced to receive updates by telephone on the search for their son Kevin， who was among the firefighters missing at the World Trade Center。 George Vitale， a New York state trooper and head of the governor's security detail in New York City who was returning from a trip to Dublin， struggled to locate his sister Patty， who worked in the Twin Towers。 A family of Russian immigrants， on their way to the Seattle area to begin a new life， dealt with the uncertainty of conditions in their future home。
The people of Gander were asked to aid and care for these distraught travelers， as well as for thousands more， and their response was truly extraordinary。 Oz Fudge， the town constable， searched all over Gander for a flight-crew member so that he could give her a hug as a favor to her sister， a fellow law enforcement officer who managed to reach him by phone。 Eithne Smith， an elementary-school teacher， helped the passengers staying at her school put together letters to family members all over the world， which she then faxed。 Bonnie Harris， Vi Tucker， and Linda Humby， members of a local animal protection agency， crawled into the jets' cargo holds to feed and care for all of the animals on the flights。 Hundreds of people put their names on a list to take passengers into their homes and give them a chance to get cleaned up and relax。
The Day the World Came to Town is a positively heartwarming account of the citizens of Gander and its surrounding communities and the unexpected guests who were welcomed with exemplary kindness。
When thirty-eight jetliners bound for the United States were forced to land in Gander， Newfoundland， on September 11， 2001， due to the closing of United States airspace， the citizens of this small community were called upon to come to the aid of more than six thousand displaced travelers。
Roxanne and Clarke Loper were excited to be on their way home from a lengthy and exhausting trip to Kazakhstan， where they had adopted a daughter， when their plane suddenly changed course and they found themselves in Newfoundland。 Hannah and Dennis O'Rourke， who had been on vacation in Ireland， were forced to receive updates by telephone on the search for their son Kevin， who was among the firefighters missing at the World Trade Center。 George Vitale， a New York state trooper and head of the governor's security detail in New York City who was returning from a trip to Dublin， struggled to locate his sister Patty， who worked in the Twin Towers。 A family of Russian immigrants， on their way to the Seattle area to begin a new life， dealt with the uncertainty of conditions in their future home。
The people of Gander were asked to aid and care for these distraught travelers， as well as for thousands more， and their response was truly extraordinary。 Oz Fudge， the town constable， searched all over Gander for a flight-crew member so that he could give her a hug as a favor to her sister， a fellow law enforcement officer who managed to reach him by phone。 Eithne Smith， an elementary-school teacher， helped the passengers staying at her school put together letters to family members all over the world， which she then faxed。 Bonnie Harris， Vi Tucker， and Linda Humby， members of a local animal protection agency， crawled into the jets' cargo holds to feed and care for all of the animals on the flights。 Hundreds of people put their names on a list to take passengers into their homes and give them a chance to get cleaned up and relax。
The Day the World Came to Town is a positively heartwarming account of the citizens of Gander and its surrounding communities and the unexpected guests who were welcomed with exemplary kindness。
Reviews
Andrea
，
A beautiful， hopeful story。 Being vaguely obsessed with the musical "Come From Away"， which tells many of these stories， I'm surprised it's taken me this long to read this book。 But， perhaps， just past the twentieth anniversary， now was exactly the time。 It's good to be reminded， given all of the terrible things that have happened in the name of 9/11， that there was true humanity somewhere。 A beautiful， hopeful story。 Being vaguely obsessed with the musical "Come From Away"， which tells many of these stories， I'm surprised it's taken me this long to read this book。 But， perhaps， just past the twentieth anniversary， now was exactly the time。 It's good to be reminded， given all of the terrible things that have happened in the name of 9/11， that there was true humanity somewhere。 。。。more
Royce I。 Alden
，
WonderfulI have always been fascinated by the story if Gander。 I did not realize this episode happened over a period of four days。 I would love to see the Broadway whose
Amberinhonduras
，
An absolutely beautiful reminder of the goodness in people。 Heroes come in both huge and tiny gestures of love and selflessness。 Many tears were shed。
Crystalstrand
，
Gander on my mindHow I Spent the Twentieth AnniversaryDid not watch the replays of that horrible day。 Instead， I spent the day in Gander and I feel better for it。
Mary
，
4。5 starsI listened to this audiobook for the 20th anniversary of 9/11。 When life looks the darkest， there is still beauty to be found。 This book exemplifies that。 This was an engagingly written and uplifting book that reminds the reader of the innate goodness of humanity。 This book inspired me to want to be a better person。
Katheryn Haskell
，
This book is fantastic。 First of all， I enjoy how it explains customs from all the different people it writes about， and how different everyone is。 It does a wonderful job of highlighting how generous the Newfoundlanders had been， and how appreciative the plane people had been。 The story is written in a fashion that makes it easy to read， unlike some memoirs and recounts of historical events。 It obviously doesn't account for everyone who landed， but the diversity in who it did cover was nice。 I This book is fantastic。 First of all， I enjoy how it explains customs from all the different people it writes about， and how different everyone is。 It does a wonderful job of highlighting how generous the Newfoundlanders had been， and how appreciative the plane people had been。 The story is written in a fashion that makes it easy to read， unlike some memoirs and recounts of historical events。 It obviously doesn't account for everyone who landed， but the diversity in who it did cover was nice。 I think it's a good read， and that it's a part of history that people shouldn't forget。 This shows that there are people in the world who will give up anything to help those in crisis， and we could always use more of that。 。。。more
Becky Walsh
，
I started this book during the lead up to the 20th anniversary of the deadliest terrorist attack in human history， having previously read accounts which captured the tragedy and utter devastation of September 11， 2001。 If you’re looking for a different perspective of this time which will soothe your heart rather than break it， then this is for you。 Jim Defede’s book is a true account of when 38 jetliners landed in Gander， Newfoundland after US airspace was closed on 9/11 bringing with them over I started this book during the lead up to the 20th anniversary of the deadliest terrorist attack in human history， having previously read accounts which captured the tragedy and utter devastation of September 11， 2001。 If you’re looking for a different perspective of this time which will soothe your heart rather than break it， then this is for you。 Jim Defede’s book is a true account of when 38 jetliners landed in Gander， Newfoundland after US airspace was closed on 9/11 bringing with them over 6，000 misplaced passengers who were disoriented and in a lot of cases completely unaware of the atrocities happpening in New York， the Pentagon and Pennsylvania。 What follows is a story of small community coming together to care for the passengers and truly make them feel at home。 Friendships were made that lasted long after the last plane left the tarmac to its final destination。 The love， kindness， generosity and general humanity of the people of Gander will make your heart swell。 It’s a solid ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ or even ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️ from me。 。。。more
Hannah
，
This book is a real BOFFO！
Cheryl
，
***1/2
Jennifer
，
While I knew that the Newfoundland community of Gander had hosted passengers that were grounded on 9/11， I had no idea just how many international airlines had landed there， and how many “plane people” the island had taken in， and from so many different countries。 What an uplifting story。 Inspired me to try to be more selfless。
Cindy Bonner
，
A nice book to read on 911。 Funny， touching， thought-provoking。 It has it all。 And as soon as I finished it， I watched the Broadway musical made of it on a streaming channel。 My tribute to 911。 Recommended。
Brittany Sandy
，
I decided to read this book in honor of the 20th anniversary of the September 11th attacks。 I had a lot of mixed emotions before starting this book at the event brings back traumatic memories。 Wow though， I’m so glad I read this。 During one of the biggest tragedies of the world， such kindness and hospitality shown from the people of Gander gives me so much pride for how everyone was able to band together after the devastation。 I finished this book on September 11th and love that this was able to I decided to read this book in honor of the 20th anniversary of the September 11th attacks。 I had a lot of mixed emotions before starting this book at the event brings back traumatic memories。 Wow though， I’m so glad I read this。 During one of the biggest tragedies of the world， such kindness and hospitality shown from the people of Gander gives me so much pride for how everyone was able to band together after the devastation。 I finished this book on September 11th and love that this was able to show another side of the story。 。。。more
Ann Adams
，
It was an amazing inside look at a town that came together after the planes heading to New York on 9/11/2011 had to divert and land in Newfoundland。 Much time was spent on the plane。 After the time lingered， the town came together and took care of all the passengers。 Sheltering。 Feeding。 Clothing。 Amazing story of that horrific day in the history of America， 20 years ago today！
Laura
，
What is the last inspiring book you read that restored your faith in humanity？The Day the World Came to Town is the story of what happened to the planes that were forced to land elsewhere when the United States closed its airspace on 9/11。 Thirty-eight planes were diverted to Gander， Newfoundland which had an extra-long landing from its early days in aviation。 6，595 passengers were deposited on a town of barely 10，000 people。 The community came together to help out these passengers from all over What is the last inspiring book you read that restored your faith in humanity？The Day the World Came to Town is the story of what happened to the planes that were forced to land elsewhere when the United States closed its airspace on 9/11。 Thirty-eight planes were diverted to Gander， Newfoundland which had an extra-long landing from its early days in aviation。 6，595 passengers were deposited on a town of barely 10，000 people。 The community came together to help out these passengers from all over the world。 The Day the World came to town is the stories of individuals that were flying to the United States for various reasons。 It is also the story of the individuals in Gander and how they helped。 I was amazed at how the town was able to mobilize and help out the people including stripping their beds of sheets and beddings and bringing all of their towels。 I loved the individuals and the pictures included。 Some of the individuals including the parents of a NYC firefighter， a couple trying to fly home with their adopted daughter， a US general trying to get back to her command， etc。 I was riveted。 This was a truly human story of perseverance。 It reminded me that just like Mr。 Rogers said， you should focus on the helpers on not on those that are evil in the world。 When you get down to it， most people are good people that just want to help each other out。 I think this story applies to today more than ever。 Favorite Quotes:“We realized we are part of a global village， as my children used to say: What is happening in one part of the globe is affecting us all。”“Their willingness to help others is arguably the single most important trait that defines them as Newfoundlanders。”“They affirmed the basic goodness of man at a time when it was easy to doubt such humanity still existed。 If the terrorists had hoped their attacks would reveal the weaknesses in western society， the events in Gander proved its strength。”“We’re all Americans tonight。”“There was no hatred。 No anger。 No fear in Gander。 Only the spirit of community。 Here， everyone was equal， everyone was treated the same。 Here， the basic humanity of man wasn’t just surviving， but thriving。”“Nevertheless， given all of those human frailties， what happened in Gander is still remarkable。 And perhaps the lesson learned isn’t that these acts of kindness occurred because Gander is a magical place， but rather these people came together in a time of crisis regardless of their own personal shortcoming。 And if that’s the case， then it offers us hope that all of us have that ability within us。”Overall， The Day the World Came to Town is a truly inspiring story that will restore your faith in humanity。Book Source: Review Copy from William Morrow。 Thank-you！This post was first posted on my blog: https://lauragerold。blogspot。com/2021。。。 。。。more
Vannetta Chapman
，
This book was just the thing I needed during our observance of the 20th anniversary of 9-11。 In fact， it's what I needed simply due to the status of the world。 Sometimes you need a little pick-me-up。 Sometimes you need to see that people can be kind and gracious and giving。The Day the World Came to Town looks at a small community's response to a big event。 When International and U。S。 planes needed to land， immediately， many of them landed in this corner of Newfoundland。 And the people of Gander？ This book was just the thing I needed during our observance of the 20th anniversary of 9-11。 In fact， it's what I needed simply due to the status of the world。 Sometimes you need a little pick-me-up。 Sometimes you need to see that people can be kind and gracious and giving。The Day the World Came to Town looks at a small community's response to a big event。 When International and U。S。 planes needed to land， immediately， many of them landed in this corner of Newfoundland。 And the people of Gander？ They responded with kindness and grace and gifts。Highly recommend。 。。。more
Michele
，
Just the right book to read around the 20th anniversary of 9/11。 I appreciated the new afterword that updated on the main people profiled in the book， with reflections over 20 years。
Carey
，
On this 20th anniversary of Sept 11th I thought this would be an appropriate book to read。 I have found my totem town！ I hadn’t heard the story of Gander， Newfoundland until now and it warms the heart to know of the selflessness and caring of the people there。 It was a little hard for me to keep all of the characters straight as he jumped from narrative to narrative but the overwhelmingly message of community was felt throughout the story。 These people were just amazing and I would be very proud On this 20th anniversary of Sept 11th I thought this would be an appropriate book to read。 I have found my totem town！ I hadn’t heard the story of Gander， Newfoundland until now and it warms the heart to know of the selflessness and caring of the people there。 It was a little hard for me to keep all of the characters straight as he jumped from narrative to narrative but the overwhelmingly message of community was felt throughout the story。 These people were just amazing and I would be very proud to live in a community like that today。 。。。more
Morgan Marie
，
“Now they’d see how a tragedy more than a thousand miles away could touch their lives directly。 Not only had the world come to town， but so， too， did the world’s problems。” A moving story about a lesser-known town that was greatly impacted by the tragic events of 9/11， which is remembered on its 20 year anniversary today。 When I think of 9/11， I automatically think of New York because I am from New York and can vaguely remember being picked up early from kindergarten on that horrific day。 Howeve “Now they’d see how a tragedy more than a thousand miles away could touch their lives directly。 Not only had the world come to town， but so， too， did the world’s problems。” A moving story about a lesser-known town that was greatly impacted by the tragic events of 9/11， which is remembered on its 20 year anniversary today。 When I think of 9/11， I automatically think of New York because I am from New York and can vaguely remember being picked up early from kindergarten on that horrific day。 However， I had no knowledge at all of how “thirty-eight planes landed there on September 11， depositing 6，595 passengers and crew members in a town whose population is barely 10，000” in the town of Gander， Newfoundland in Canada。This is a story about hope， kindness， and selflessness from a community of people who had no obligation or reward for what they did。 They took strangers into their homes， they cooked for thousands of people， they paused birthday and anniversary celebrations， and they turned their small town into a place of comfort and safety for so many individuals。I definitely recommend reading this or researching more about the people of Gander， Newfoundland。 The story is truly inspiring and a great model for how to treat others。 May we never forget and always honor those who lost their lives， those who lost loved ones， and those who risked their own lives to assist others on September 11， 2001。 Synopsis:When the United States airspace was closed after the tragic events on the morning of 9/11， 38 planes headed for the US rerouted and landed in Gander， Canada。 This small， island town came together to shelter， feed， clothe， and comfort over 6，000 people。 。。。more
Joy D
，
Story of compassion， hospitality， friendship extended by the residents of Gander， Newfoundland to the crew and passengers of 38 aircraft diverted from their destinations during the 9/11 tragedy when US airspace was closed。 It is amazing the number of details that had to be addressed – just getting over six thousand extra people housed and fed was a massive task。 As time passed additional needs became evident – animals in the cargo holds， people with religious-based diets， specific medication req Story of compassion， hospitality， friendship extended by the residents of Gander， Newfoundland to the crew and passengers of 38 aircraft diverted from their destinations during the 9/11 tragedy when US airspace was closed。 It is amazing the number of details that had to be addressed – just getting over six thousand extra people housed and fed was a massive task。 As time passed additional needs became evident – animals in the cargo holds， people with religious-based diets， specific medication requirements， and communications with people from many countries。 The narrative focuses on a small number of personal circumstances。 It recounts vignettes from interviews the author conducted。 It could have used a map and a few more photos。 The writing is only passable。 I particularly enjoyed the Epilogue that provides updates。 It is nice to read about the best of human nature shining through in a crisis of major proportions。3。5 。。。more
Larry Mays
，
A superb read about how a small town accommodated several thousand people grounded in Gander Newfoundland by the September 11， 2001 terrorist attacks。 Beautiful tale of sharing， community， and connections。
Lyndsey
，
A wonderful reminder that there are good， kind people in this crazy， messed up world。
Anne Purcell
，
Been meaning to read this for years and years。 I’m genuinely glad someone decided to write about the experiences in Newfoundland and the thousands of world citizens getting dumped into an isolated no-nothing place and expected to work it out under fire conditions…and they did！ Packed full of all the little positive stories you hope to read， and nothing inflated or too bullshitty。 Only critique is， though the Plane People were disoriented with location， I think it would’ve helped to have a map of Been meaning to read this for years and years。 I’m genuinely glad someone decided to write about the experiences in Newfoundland and the thousands of world citizens getting dumped into an isolated no-nothing place and expected to work it out under fire conditions…and they did！ Packed full of all the little positive stories you hope to read， and nothing inflated or too bullshitty。 Only critique is， though the Plane People were disoriented with location， I think it would’ve helped to have a map of where all the towns were located in respect to each other and to the airport。 Just more visuals of this mammoth challenge。 。。。more
Karen
，
Never heard about this situation before reading this book。 Very uplifting！
Kabrina
，
I felt this was an appropriate book choice as we near the twenty year anniversary of the September 11th attacks。 I had heard stories of planes landing in Canada on that day but I learned so much from this book。 It’s well researched and written and it will touch your heart。 In a day of great tragedy it’s important we look for the individual stories of faith， hope and care。 There was such violence and terror on that day but so many normal people just did normal things， taking care of each other in I felt this was an appropriate book choice as we near the twenty year anniversary of the September 11th attacks。 I had heard stories of planes landing in Canada on that day but I learned so much from this book。 It’s well researched and written and it will touch your heart。 In a day of great tragedy it’s important we look for the individual stories of faith， hope and care。 There was such violence and terror on that day but so many normal people just did normal things， taking care of each other in whatever ways they could。 When we teach future generations the history of this day I hope we continue to teach them the humanity and love that was overwhelming present among the horror。 。。。more
Janine M。
，
I love this book。 It was uplifting to hear The kindness that these people extended to strangers in the shadow of the horrors of September 11。
Cailey
，
Loved this book！ True story， simple and shows there is still good in the world we live in！
Karen Engeman
，
Everyone should read this book to understand what happened to so many others affected that horrible day。 There are wonderful people in this world and sometimes that makes all the difference。
Chyanne Parker
，
3。5 : 2021
Beth
，
This book caused a few sleepless nights because I couldn’t put it down。 It was good to read about good， decent people who dropped everything to help the “plane people。” We’ve lost that humanity and it was nice to recapture it for a brief moment。
Joyce Mistina
，