The Bloodiest Day

 

What was the bloodiest day in American history? In other words, on what day did more Americans get killed outright than on any other day?

 

September 11, 2001 - Terrorist Attacks

 

Official Count of victims (Source: Washington Times, 5/31/02)

 

New York: 2,823 (those killed in the World Trade Center and aboard the two jetliners)

Washington, D.C.: 189 (those killed at the Pentagon and aboard American Flight 77)

Pennsylvania: 44 passengers and crew on United Flight 93

 

Total: 3,056

 

September 17, 1862 - Battle of Antietam

 

Source: “The Bloodiest Day” by Ronald H. Bailey and the staff of Time-Life Books

 

Federal: 2,108 killed

Confederate: 1,546 killed

 

Total: 3,654

 

Antietam “wins.”

 

(Especially if you count the missing and the wounded who later died.)