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Current Netlore: 9/11 Terrorist Attacks on the U.S.
Internet hoaxes, email rumors and urban legends related to the events of September 11, 2001


The First 48 Hours
Was one airliner purposely shot down by U.S. fighters?
Were more than four airliners hijacked?
Did World Trade Center occupants get advance warning?
Was Britain also attacked on 9/11?
Is a gasoline shortage predicted?
Was WTC wreckage offered for sale on eBay?
Did CNN fake footage of celebrating Palestinians?
Did CD cover artwork resemble photos of the attacks?

4th of July Terrorist Attack on St. Louis
Anecdotal "evidence" that terrorists may be planning to attack the city of St. Louis during the July 4 holiday.

6/11 Terror Attack on a U.S. City?
Friend-of-a-friend email rumor warns of indications that a terrorist attack may take place in a large U.S. city (probably New York) on 6/11/04.

4,000 Jews Didn't Show up for Work at World Trade Center 9/11
The World Trade Center attack was an Israeli conspiracy and every Jew who worked there was warned in advance to stay home that morning.
Status: False
Sources: Tracking an Internet Hoax, Slate
             "Truth Elusive in Opposition Press," LA Times

Automakers' Contributions to 9/11 Relief
This email alleging that non-U.S. auto manufacturers did not contribute significantly to post-September 11 relief efforts is almost entirely false.

The Bin Laden/Gum Arabic Connection
Every time you buy a soft drink, this rumor says, you may be contributing funds to Osama bin Laden's terrorist campaign.

'Black Jack' Pershing vs. Muslim Terrorists
Did U.S. General 'Black Jack' Pershing rid the Philippines of Islamic extremism in 1911 by executing a group of Muslim terrorists and burying them in a grave filled with pig's blood and entrails?

'Blue Packages' in the Mail w/Deadly Virus or Poison
In the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks, the Net is rife with variants of a year-old hoax about deadly chemicals and viruses circulating by parcel post (also known as the "Klingerman Virus").

Boycott Middle Eastern Oil to Stop Terrorism
This reinvented "Gas Out" chain letter for 2002 claims that consumers can avoid lending support to terrorism by boycotting certain brands of gasoline.

Budweiser vs. Celebrating Arabs
Did a Budweiser employee in McFarland, California pull his product from the shelves of a convenience store where Arab employees were seen celebrating the September 11 attacks?

A Canadian's Tribute to America
Authentic editorial by Canadian radio commentator Gordon Sinclair, but it was written 30 years ago, not last week.

Candlelight Vigil to Be Photographed from Space
Rumor has it the U.S. government has asked all American citizens to stand outside with lit candles "tonight" so that a satellite can photograph the nationwide vigil from space.

Charlie Daniels: Open Letter to the Hollywood Bunch
Circulating by email: Acrimonious open letter to antiwar celebrities was indeed penned by prowar celebrity Charlie Daniels.

Coke, Pepsi Terrorist Warnings
In these variants of "The Grateful Terrorist," a man of "Arab descent" supposedly repays the kindness of a stranger by warning them not to drink Coke or Pepsi after a certain date.

Commemorate 9/11: Drive with Your Lights On
Participate in a one-year commemoration of the events of September 11 by driving with your lights on all day.

Commemorate 9/11: Wear Red, White and Blue
Participate in a one-year commemoration of the events of September 11 by wearing red, white and blue and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance at noon.

Does bin Laden Own Snapple?
Email rumor: Terrorist Osama bin Laden has financial ties to major corporations like Cadbury-Schweppes (makers of Snapple), General Electric and Motorola.

Dr. Pepper Leaves 'Under God' out of 9/11 Patriotic Promotion
Outdated email protest declares the Dr. Pepper/Seven Up company guilty of "anti-Christian political correctness."

Dunkin' Donuts Boycott
False rumors of Arab employees of Dunkin' Donuts "celebrating" after the September 11 attacks have raised calls for a boycott.

Face of Satan Appears in WTC Crash Photo
See it here with your own eyes!

Folded $20 Bill Depicts 9/11 Terrorist Attacks
Can images "commemorating" the World Trade Center and Pentagon attacks of last September 11 be seen on a properly folded U.S. $20 bill?

German Warship Salutes Crew of USS Winston S. Churchill
True. The crew of the GFS Lütjens flew an American flag at half-mast and brandished a sign saying "We Stand by You" to salute U.S. sailors aboard the USS Winston S. Churchill after the September 11 attacks.

The Grateful Terrorist
"Arab," "Middle Eastern" or 'Muslim-looking" man repays a small kindness by solemnly warning his benefactor of impending terrorist attack.

G.W. Bush Quote
Did he really say "I’m not going to fire a $2 million missile at a $10 empty tent and hit a camel in the butt"?

Halloween Candy: Suspicious Purchases at Costco
At least partly true and under investigation: Costco and the FBI have confirmed recent large purchases of candy in New Jersey, but the nationality of the purchaser(s) has not been divulged and their intent is unknown.
Update: New variant claims the FBI suspects a terrorist threat.

Halloween Terror Attacks on Malls 10/31
Email rumors warn that shopping malls in the U.S. may be subject to terrorist attacks on Halloween.
Parody: Don't Go to the Bathroom on Oct. 28!

Hunt the Boeing!
French Website challenges the official explanation that the Pentagon explosion of 9/11 was caused by a hijacked airliner.

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