• The Day the World Came to Town

  • 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundland
  • By: Jim DeFede
  • Narrated by: Ray Porter
  • Length: 6 hrs and 28 mins
  • 4.7 out of 5 stars (2,975 ratings)

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The Day the World Came to Town  By  cover art

The Day the World Came to Town

By: Jim DeFede
Narrated by: Ray Porter
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Publisher's summary

Perfect for fans of the musical Come From Away!

When 38 jetliners bound for the United States were forced to land at Gander International Airport in Canada by the closing of U.S. airspace on September 11, the population of this small town on Newfoundland Island swelled from 10,300 to nearly 17,000. The citizens of Gander met the stranded passengers with an overwhelming display of friendship and goodwill. As the passengers stepped from the airplanes, exhausted, hungry and distraught after being held on board for nearly 24 hours while security checked all of the baggage, they were greeted with a feast prepared by the townspeople. Local bus drivers who had been on strike came off the picket lines to transport the passengers to the various shelters set up in local schools and churches. Linens and toiletries were bought and donated. A middle school provided showers, as well as access to computers, email, and televisions, allowing the passengers to stay in touch with family and follow the news.

©2002 Jim DeFede (P)2017 HarperCollins Publishers
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

Featured Article: In the Oral Histories of 9/11, Grief, Hope, and Heroism Find a Voice


Memories passed down through storytelling have been a vital part of culture since the dawn of civilization, and we've all had moments of pained reminiscence: Where were you on that day? There are few accounts more powerful than audio recollections of the lived histories of 9/11—their words, their voices, their stories all ensure we will never forget, that the passage of time will never erode the memory of those loved, lost, and left behind.

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What listeners say about The Day the World Came to Town

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👍👍 From one of the Plane People

Hi,
I was on Continental 23. I lived through this. Hearing what was going on in the other planes and with the other passengers was remarkable. I shed many a tear while listening to this book. I only wish I would have been able to contribute to the book. It was so nice living this experience again through this book. I plan to go back to Appleton this summer to visit and donate some more money.

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79 people found this helpful

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    5 out of 5 stars
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Just the story I needed in these divisive times.

This was a powerful and touching book. I am not usually a fan of non-fiction, but could not stop listening.

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Fantastic.

I loved this book I learned so much about the flights that landed in Newfoundland. It was a wonderful book to listen to. The reader was excellent.

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    5 out of 5 stars
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A must reward, especially if you’ve seen “Come From Away”

A beautiful story well told by a talented narrator. I had a smile on my face and joy in my heart the entire time that I listened.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars
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The most inspiring book I’ve read in years

I loved this book. Well written, poignant. Narration was superb. I strongly recommend it, and have to multiple family members.

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Amazing true story

Thank you for gathering all of these true stories together and sharing them with the world

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Uplifting

I loved this book. This small town took on hundreds of people and all the challenges of 9-11 and met it with happiness, optimism and kindness.

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  • Overall
    5 out of 5 stars

Day the world cAM to town

Excellent heartwarming makes one realize there are many good people around. Reader sounds like Tom Hanks

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God bless the people of Newfoundland!

God bless all those Newfies!! These are some of the most precious people on the globe. For so many of them to open their homes and hearts to so many hurting and confused people is truly amazing.

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Remembering a time that impacts all of us

I remember the chaos of that fateful day but can hardly imagine what the travelers and their hosts went through. The Newfies were certainly the best thing that could happen to the stranded passengers.
I recently saw a musical in NY that also told the story of the same.
Both of these-book and musical will stay with me for a long, long time.

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