The date, the month, the time even, has been burned into the world's collective memory for one year now.

Sept. 11, 8:45 a.m., the time at which the first plane crashed into the north tower of New York City's World Trade Center. Just 15 minutes later, came the second plane, into the south tower. Later, a third, into the Pentagon, and a fourth, outside the city of Pittsburgh.

The most carefully orchestrated and singularly devastating terrorist attack was planned, in mesmerizing detail, by a 33-year-old Saudi Arabian named Mohammed Atta and his cohorts, part of the worldwide al Qaeda terrorist network. The place investigators say it was planned? Hamburg, Germany.

The realization has led to a year of evaluation and improvements in Germany's anti-terrorism approach and has deeply affected the way the country deals with the more than 2 million Muslims who call it home.

The aftermath of Sept. 11 has also forced Germany to examine its strong relations with the United States with a more critical eye, as questions about its commitment to the "War on Terror" become more vocal.

A collection of DW-WORLD stories on the economical, political and social impact the Sept. 11 attacks have had on Germany and Europe.