On September 11, 2001, the unthinkable forever alters New York City’s skyline. In the wake of the devastating World Trade Centre attacks, for the very first time the FAA orders American airspace completely shut down. Domestic and international flights carrying nearly 1,000,000 passengers over the United States, or heading to it from overseas, either must land without delay at the nearest airport or be diverted to Canada. Half turn back while the rest, over 230 airliners carrying nearly 33,000 passengers, descend on Canadian airports spread across the country. America’s closest ally, with remarkable speed and resolve, launches Operation Yellow Ribbon.

Bring the story of Operation Yellow Ribbon into your classroom. Explore the interactive map with your students to investigate how geography shaped Canada’s response to an unexpected crisis, then use the accompanying lesson plans to dig deeper into the experiences of communities across the country. Complement the map-based activities with our videos, which explore the lasting legacy of 9/11 and Operation Yellow Ribbon through the stories of the people and places at the heart of these events.

Explore the resources below to help students understand how an extraordinary moment in history affected communities across Canada, and how Canadians responded with compassion, cooperation and generosity.

Classroom resources

Use these lesson plans to help students investigate Operation Yellow Ribbon through geography, inquiry and the experiences of Canadian communities.

Watch the stories

Hear from the people and communities connected to Operation Yellow Ribbon and explore the lasting legacy of September 11, 2001 in Canada.