Which event or combination of events best illustrates the modern global "war on terrorism" launched at the beginning of the twenty first century?

Introduction / Context:
The term "war on terrorism" is widely used to describe the global campaign led by the United States and its allies after the terrorist attacks of 11 September 2001. On that day, hijacked airliners struck both the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon near Washington, D C. This question checks whether you recognize that the combined impact of these coordinated attacks is the key event associated with the start of the modern war on terrorism.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The phrase "war on terrorism" refers to the post 2001 global campaign.
• On 11 September 2001, multiple coordinated terrorist attacks took place in the United States.
• The World Trade Center and the Pentagon were both major targets.
• The question asks for the event or combination of events that best illustrates the war on terrorism.

Concept / Approach:
The key concept is that the war on terrorism is closely tied to the September 2001 attacks, often shortened to "9 11." Although each individual strike was devastating, the global response was triggered by the combined shock of the attacks on both the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Therefore, the option that mentions both sites together gives the most complete picture. Options that refer only to earlier centuries or that ignore one of the main targets are less accurate.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that on 11 September 2001, hijacked planes hit the twin towers of the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. Step 2: Understand that United States leaders described the response as a "war on terror," which included military actions in Afghanistan and other measures worldwide. Step 3: Examine option a, which mentions only the Pentagon attack, and option b, which mentions only the World Trade Center. Step 4: Recognize that while each single event is important, the coordinated nature of the attacks on both major targets is central to the concept of the war on terrorism. Step 5: Look at option c, which explicitly identifies both the World Trade Center and the Pentagon attacks as a combined event. Step 6: Eliminate options d and e, which refer to earlier historical periods that are not associated with the modern war on terrorism. Step 7: Conclude that option c best captures the key events that triggered the war on terrorism.

Verification / Alternative check:
News reports, history texts, and exam guides all connect the phrase "war on terrorism" directly to the coordinated attacks on 11 September 2001, specifically the destruction of the World Trade Center and the damage to the Pentagon. While other terrorist incidents have occurred before and after, none had the same global impact. This confirms that mentioning both targets together is the best way to illustrate the beginning of this period.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option a is incomplete because it ignores the World Trade Center, which suffered the most visible and deadly damage. Option b is also incomplete for similar reasons. Option d refers to bomb attacks in Europe many decades earlier and does not match the modern context. Option e concerns naval battles between empires, which are unrelated to the war on terrorism.

Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to choose the first correct sounding event without checking whether a more complete option exists. Students may also confuse earlier isolated terrorist incidents with the specific set of attacks that triggered the war on terrorism. Always associate the term with the coordinated September 2001 attacks on both the World Trade Center and the Pentagon for exam purposes.

Final Answer:
The coordinated attacks on both the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on 11 September 2001.