Overview

One way of getting a broader picture of how an event has unfolded is to build a timeline. So far, much of the mainstream news coverage has dealt with the events around September 11 in relatively isolated terms. If indeed bin Laden was one of the people behind these attacks, then our timelines might go far back enough to include the creation of Israel, the Gulf War, or our previous attacks on bin Laden.

Materials

Paper, Pencils, Resources (i.e. encyclopedias), flip chart paper/butcher paper

Task

1. Prepare a timeline of events up to and including the attacks on 11 September. Include all of the things that you think are important, and go back as far as you like. We will compare timelines and discuss them when weUre through.
2. As students work on their timelines (alone or in small groups), walk about the room, and examine their work. Raise questions about concepts they're not considering.
3. Choose 3-5 students to present their timelines in front of the class.
4. On a large sheet of paper, compile the class comments into a large timeline. Discuss what important events were omitted and why.

• PBS Frontline timeline of Bin Laden's Life
  This timeline is a nice start for understanding the broader contexts in which this event has occurred.
• CNN Report on the Attack on U.S.S. Cole
• U.S. Strikes back at Bin Laden: BBC Timeline
• Afghanistan Timeline
• Connections between the Gulf War and Bin Laden from CNN Asia
• CBS News Interactive Timeline of Middle East and Israel

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