The Day the World Came to Town

The Day the World Came to Town chronicles the true story of Gander, Newfoundland during the September 11, 2001 attacks when 38 planes carrying nearly 6,800 passengers were diverted to this small Canadian town. Journalist Jim DeFede spent two months in Gander gathering firsthand accounts from both local residents and stranded travelers to document this remarkable event. The book details how the 10,000 residents of Gander mobilized to accommodate thousands of unexpected visitors from around the world when U.S. airspace closed. DeFede captures the logistics of housing, feeding, and caring for the "plane people" who found themselves stranded in an unfamiliar place during one of modern history's most challenging moments. The narrative demonstrates how an unprecedented crisis brought out extraordinary acts of human kindness and community spirit across cultural and national boundaries. This work stands as a testament to the capacity for compassion and generosity in times of uncertainty and fear.

Readers describe this as an uplifting story about human kindness during 9/11, focusing on how the people of Gander, Newfoundland helped thousands of stranded airline passengers. What readers liked: - Shows humanity's capacity for good in crisis - Details small acts of kindness by townspeople - Captures both emotional moments and practical logistics - Personal stories of specific passengers and locals What readers disliked: - Writing style can feel basic and repetitive - Too many characters to follow - Some found it slow-paced - A few reviewers wanted more depth about long-term impacts Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (44,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (3,800+ ratings) Sample review: "A reminder that there are many more good people than bad in this world. The book could have been edited better, but the story itself overshadows any writing flaws." - Goodreads reviewer

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★ The story inspired the hit Broadway musical "Come From Away," which opened in 2017 and earned 7 Tony Award nominations, including Best Musical. ★ Gander International Airport was once one of the world's largest airports and a key refueling stop for transatlantic flights before modern jets could make the journey non-stop. ★ During Operation Yellow Ribbon, Gander hosted 38 planes - the most of any Canadian town - making it the second-largest city in Newfoundland for several days. ★ Author Jim DeFede discovered this story while working as a columnist for the Miami Herald and spent months in Gander conducting interviews with locals and passengers. ★ Many lasting friendships formed during those 5 days in Gander, leading to annual reunions and a scholarship fund created by grateful passengers for local students.