In an address to a joint session of Congress and the American people, U.S. President George W. Bush declares a "War on Terror".

The war on terror, officially the Global War on Terrorism (GWOT), is a global military campaign initiated by the United States following the September 11 attacks in 2001, and is one of the most recent global conflicts spanning multiple wars. Some researchers and political scientists have argued that it replaced the Cold War.

September 20 is the 263rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar; 102 days remain until the end of the year.