Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld briefs reporters in the Pentagon. Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld briefs reporters in the Pentagon on Sept. 12, 2001. Rumsfeld updated the reporters on the fire fighting and search and rescue efforts at the Pentagon after a hijacked American Airlines flight slammed into the building on Sept. 11th. The terrorist attack caused extensive damage to the west face of the building and followed similar attacks on the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City. SHARE: Download: Full Size (0.03 MB) Credit: VIRIN: 747938-B-VPG56-186.jpg Photo Gallery