Today is Sept. 11, 2003.

It’s been two years since terrorists brought down the World Trade Center. It’s been two years of losing some freedoms and winning some battles. It’s been two years of worrying about the next attack. But what have we learned?

Any logical thinker can explain the importance of studying history and learning lessons from past tragedies so that they’re not repeated in the future.

The most important lesson we learned two years ago was that America is not alone in the world. Citizens of the United States do have the security of a multi-billion dollar military, but that won’t stop the hate many have for our country.

The most important lesson we’ve been learning over the past two years is how to live in the aftermath of 9/11. Many are scared or worried about terrorism, but it’s hard to live a full life looking over our shoulders. Some Americans have already noticed the need to change their way of life and many are in the process.

The touchy stock market and a man with a bomb in his shoe definitely have impacted life after 9/11. Setting fear aside, however, I think Americans are more eager now to help others.

Maybe it was the inspiring heroism of passengers on the planes who tried to stop the terrorists or the fatal efforts of the New York City police and fire departments that inspire us to help others as they did. When they lost their lives, they left behind a legacy of stewardship for all Americans to follow in the coming years.

This has been seen in the outpouring of volunteers across the country. Lines formed at blood banks and events were organized to raise monetary donations. It’s important to keep the idea of stewardship alive in this country so that the deaths of thousands of heroes were not in vain.

Living in the aftermath without worry or fear, I have learned, can only be done by clinging to the ones I love. In the amount of time it took for the Twin Towers to fall, the lives of so many were changed forever.

Each day I have with my family and friends is one more day than the victims of 9/11 had with their loved ones, so I value those days, minutes and seconds.

In the aftermath, families are beginning and friendships are being made. The loss of life on 9/11, hopefully, has taught them to appreciate life and to give as much love to others as possible.

The final and almost ironic change Americans are gradually facing is trusting others in a community. Many people grew suspicious of others around them, and Arab-Americans were treated unfairly. Now that the panic is over, communities such as New York City are coming together.

It’s ironic, but I have seen it before. Oklahoma City has not been the same since April 19, 1995. That community is more friendly and safe. The atmosphere is hard to explain. Before the bombing, downtown was a scary place. Now, anyone can feel comfortable walking down the streets.

The same is happening in New York. The actions of people during the blackout is a perfect example. Citizens were patient and not unruly. I don’t even remember hearing about looting being problem.

Who knows why this phenomenon happens? Maybe these cities saw the need to unite against the evil actions as a community because people are stronger as a group than on their own.

I don’t think Americans will let history repeat itself. We can’t stop tragedies, but we can learn from them. And I think Americans are doing that successfully now.

Steinke is a senior print journalism major and a news editor of The Spectator.