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Norbert

(7,338 posts)
Fri Sep 12, 2025, 10:26 AM 17 hrs ago

24 years ago: Tiny Gander, Newfoundland. How They Welcomed over 6,500 Stranded Air Travelers

Remember this when Dementia Donnie talks about a 51st state and nasty Canadians rears its ugly head again.

September 11, 2001 marks one of the most horrific terrorist events in the history of the United States. On that fateful day, four coordinated attacks were carried out by the extremist group al-Qaeda, killing nearly 3,000 people. Authorities quickly shut down American airspace, and flights coming to the U.S. were diverted to other airports.

Thirty-eight of them landed at Gander International Airport in Newfoundland, Canada. The tiny town of Gander had a population of fewer than 10,000 people, but that number nearly doubled when almost 7,000 passengers and crew members were stranded with no idea when their flights would be able to leave.

In order to feed and house their unexpected guests, the residents of Gander banded together to show an unprecedented level of hospitality. For several days, they organized meals and entertainment for the passengers, even inviting them into their own homes.

By the time American airspace reopened and the 38 planes could continue to their original destinations, the people of Gander and the thousands of strangers who had arrived in the town under the most unfortunate circumstances had formed an everlasting bond — one that showed the goodness in the world in a time of unspeakable tragedy...


https://allthatsinteresting.com/gander-newfoundland-9-11
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24 years ago: Tiny Gander, Newfoundland. How They Welcomed over 6,500 Stranded Air Travelers (Original Post) Norbert 17 hrs ago OP
The hit play "Come From Away" tells the story. HIghly recommend! Amaryllis 15 hrs ago #1
Thanks. Norbert 15 hrs ago #2
Highly recommend genxlib 7 hrs ago #3
Saw this on Broadway years ago MerrilyMerrily 7 hrs ago #4

Amaryllis

(10,670 posts)
1. The hit play "Come From Away" tells the story. HIghly recommend!
Fri Sep 12, 2025, 12:02 PM
15 hrs ago
https://comefromaway.com/about.php
Apple has it streaming.

Broadway’s COME FROM AWAY is a Best Musical winner all across North America!

This New York Times Critics’ Pick takes you into the heart of the remarkable true story of 7,000 stranded passengers and the small town in Newfoundland that welcomed them. Cultures clashed and nerves ran high, but uneasiness turned into trust, music soared into the night, and gratitude grew into enduring friendships.

Don’t miss this breathtaking new musical written by Tony® nominees Irene Sankoff and David Hein, directed by Tony-winning Best Director, Christopher Ashley and musical staging by Tony-nominee Kelly Devine. The tour is directed by Daniel Goldstein with musical staging by Richard J. Hinds, based on the original Broadway direction and choreography.

Newsweek cheers,
“It takes you to a place you never want to leave!”

On 9/11, the world stopped.

On 9/12, their stories moved us all.
Winner! Best Musical All Across America
and in London—2019 Olivier Award Winner

'A celebration of the best of humankind.' — The Daily Beast

COME FROM AWAY was originally co-produced in 2015 by La Jolla Playhouse and Seattle Repertory Theater & presented in 2016 by Ford’s Theatre.

COME FROM AWAY (NAMT Festival 2013) was originally developed at the Canadian Music Theatre Project, Michael Rubinoff Producer, Sheridan College in Oakville, Ontario, Canada and was further developed at Goodspeed Musical’s Festival of New Artists, in East Haddam, CT. The Canada Council for the Arts, The Ontario Arts Council, Steve and Paula Reynolds and the 5th Avenue Theatre, Seattle, WA also provided development support.


MerrilyMerrily

(215 posts)
4. Saw this on Broadway years ago
Fri Sep 12, 2025, 08:59 PM
7 hrs ago

It was SO wonderful.
I had attended many plays, concerts, etc. that got standing ovations. This was the only time (in my experience) that the whole theater positively LEAPT to their feet instantly, with no one pausing to rearrange coats and purses.
Might also be the only time I left a theater in love with the goodness in the world.

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