9-11 and The New York Stock Exchange

No event in American history was as dramatic as themarket would remain closed since 1933 and the Great
attacks of September 11, 2001. When the attack onDepression. During it's first day of trading after the
Pearl Harbor happened, we had live radio broadcastsattacks, the market lost over 680 points, the single
bringing updates, and the next days newspaper howbiggest one day drop in the exchanges history. While
photographs of the carnage, but with 9/11, we hadthe drop only accounted for a little over 7 percent, it
live, crystal clear television pictures beamed right intois still considered a major event. By the end of that
our living rooms. While we still take pause to think offirst week back open, the Dow Jones had lost over
that horrendous day, the world's financial markets1360 points or 14 percent of its value. It would go
took a hit like they never have before as the rippledown as the worst week in market history. The total
effect from Ground Zero was felt all around themoney losses during that time were estimated to be
world.around 1.2 trillion.
When the attacks happened, and because of howThe events of September 11 led to a dramatic
close the World Trade Centers were located to Wallincrease in security around the exchange, as many
Street, trading wasn't even started. Everyone thatfeel it could be a target in future attacks. The events
had shown up to work that day was told to stayof 9/11 will live on in the minds of everyone who
inside until it was safe. Many people inside thelived through it. For those who had shown up for a
exchange reported feeling the ground shake as theday at work on Wall Street, the event is difficult to
two towers collapsed, and the exchange became aforget. The NYSE came through it stronger and so
refuge for those fleeing the giant cloud of dust,did the nation.
smoke and debris that appeared once the towers fell.The preceding is the first in a series of articles based
The buildings that hold the New York Stockon the New York Stock Exchange. Many people ask
Exchange were not damaged during the attacks, butwhy a company that assists individuals in obtaining
a major telephone bunker than held the phoneunsecured lines of business credit would put out
system for the entire area located near the Worldartcles of this type. The simple answer to this is
Trade Center was severely damaged, hence makingbecause many clients use a portion of their lines (or
communication on the floor of the exchangethe profits their lines create) to dabble or invest in
impossible.the stock market. We feel if this is what a client will
The stock market remained closed until Septemberbe doing, we want them to be as fully prepared as
17. It would turn out to be the longest that thepossible.