Osama bin Laden Killed: What Is Your Reaction?

In an unusual late Sunday night address to the nation, President Barack Obama announced that Osama bin Laden, the mastermind behind the Sept. 11, 2001, tragedy, is dead.

"Tonight, I can report to the American people and to the world that the United States has conducted an operation that killed Osama bin Laden, the leader of al Qaeda and a terrorist who’s responsible for the murder of thousands of innocent men, women and children," Obama said in the televised address.

Bin Laden was killed after a firefight at his compound in Pakistan Sunday, and his body was taken into U.S. custody. Obama said no Americans were injured or killed in the operation.

Nearly 3,000 people died as a result of the Sept. 11th event, which was series of coordinated attacks against the nation by al Qaeda. Terrorists hijacked four commercial passenger airplanes and intentionally crashed two of the jets into the Twin Towers of the World Trade Center in New York.

Hijackers crashed a third plane into the Pentagon, near Washington, D.C. The crew and passengers on the fourth airliner tried to regain control of plane, which ended up crashing in a field in rural Pennsylvania. 

Reaction to the news prompted celebrations on the White House lawn Sunday night, concerns of retaliation by al Qaeda supporters, and relief for some who had family members die as a result "9/11."

"Justice has been done," Obama said in a dramatic declaration at the White House.

The announcement of bin Laden's death comes nine years, seven months and 20 days after the September 11th attacks.

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