September 11th, 2001 was a day for the history books. It marked a day in America’s history that few of us who lived through it are likely to forget. But, what exactly are we going to remember? What are the stories that we will tell? What will be taught to kids who were born after that fateful day? History becomes much easier to mold and shape as time passes, giving opportunity to those who would craft narratives that are one-sided or jingoistic.

Fifty years from now, when the 9/11 attacks are as distant to young children as the Civil Rights Movement is today, I hope history teachers will be telling their classes:

That 9/11 was been used to justify the invasion and occupation of Iraq. (For those of you who missed the boat, Saddam Hussein and Al Qaeda were not linked.)

That there was a third skyscraper, 47 stories tall, that collapsed on 9/11, after not being hit by any planes.

That there was an Islamic prayer center in the original World Trader Center, and Muslims who were killed in the buildings’ collapse.

And this is just the beginnings of a long list of things that have been glossed over, pushed aside, or forgotten. If you have any more to add, please do so in the comments. We are to, as so patriotically instructed, “never forget.” That means it’s our duty to make sure we remember all the facts.

Photo: Flickr / Ann Althouse