In September 2004, on the first day of class, Chechen militants took more than 1,200 hostages in a school in Beslan, Russia. After nearly three days, explosions and gunfire ripped through the school, leaving more than 300 hostages dead. Two years later, questions remain about what happened and why.
Each year, the Day of Knowledge â?? or first day of school â?? in Beslan, Russia, is a celebration. Students wear their best school uniforms â?? blue and white dresses and suits. They bring flowers and candy to their teachers. Parents and grandparents accompany them to the old brick school building in the center of the small farm and factory town.
Pop music plays, speeches are made. Teachers promise it will be a good year. The stars of the show are the first-graders. They file in last.
On Sept. 1, 2004, emergency room doctor Larissa Mamitova was tired from working the night shift. Her son, Tamik, didn't like these assemblies, but she took him anyway. She promised to go buy him new pens and pencils and a backpack afterward.
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