1993 WTC Bombing Artifacts Part of Memorial Museum Exhibitions

The first attack on the World Trade Center came in the winter of 1993.

Today, 21 years ago terrorists detonated an explosive-laden van on the B2 level of the underground parking garage in the North Tower of the World Trade Center. While the terrorists’ mission to destroy the towers failed, six people were killed in the attack and hundreds were injured. At the World Trade Center, the 1993 bombing lead to an enhanced security and safety plan, which included faster evacuations of the buildings on 9/11. PIX 11 News recently highlighted 9/11 victim Douglas Karpiloff, who was a security director at the World Trade Center and the architect of a multimillion dollar security upgrade at the site in response to the 1993 bombing.

A wall fragment from the B2 parking garage level will be displayed in the 9/11 Memorial Museum, which opens in May. The soot stains on this fragment are the result of the fires that burned following the 9/11 attacks.

Also, a small piece of rose-colored granite from the memorial to the Feb. 26, 1993 bombing victims will be on display in the Museum. The memorial to the 1993 bombing was destroyed on 9/11, but this piece was recovered after the attacks. On the 21st anniversary of the 1993 World Trade Center bombing, the National September 11 Memorial & Museum remembers those who were killed in the attack: John Giovanni, Robert Kirkpatrick, Stephen Knapp, William Macko, Wilfredo Mercado and Monica Rodriguez Smith, who was pregnant at the time.

View photos from the 20th anniversary of the 1993 World Trade Center Bombing.

By Margaret Barng, 9/11 Memorial Deputy Communication Manager