system
Given the following post, respond as if you're commenting on Reddit:
human
ELI5: why is 9/11 considered such a huge deal while there have been events with much more death since?

I realize 9/11 was a terrible event and all, but there have been other events that had as much death, or more, all over the world, yet they are not recognized in the same fashion. Why?
gpt
1. It was the most deadly attack on U.S. soil since Pearl Harbor (only a few hundred more died in Pearl Harbor, making it one of the most catastrophic events on U.S. soil since The Civil War. 

2.  It was an attack primarily against civilian targets in a major U.S. city. 

3. It involved a new terroristic strategy. Previously, terrorists relied on bombs or simply hijacked planes for ransom. In this case, the planes themselves became the bomb. 

4. It completely destroyed two iconic American structures. Towers 1 and 2 were important symbols of American wealth and success. They were a trademark of the New York skyline and were recognized around the world. 

The biggest reason it was so important is because it was an attack from a non-state entity directly on American soil. It wasn't against an embassy or a consulate or a bus full of American tourists. Rather, it was against Americans in America. While this was not the first time such a thing had happened, it was the first time something of that magnitude had occurred and it came completely by surprise.