Twenty-five years after the September 11 attacks, a new poll reveals that the event remains a significant touchstone in the lives of many Americans, despite the passage of time and the occurrence of other historic events.
WASHINGTON (AP) — A recent poll conducted by Ipsos finds that nearly half of U.S. adults consider the September 11, 2001, attacks as one of the most significant historic events of their lives, underscoring the enduring impact of that day even as the nation approaches the 25th anniversary. This sentiment persists despite a range of transformative events since then, including the COVID-19 pandemic and the presidencies of Barack Obama and Donald Trump.
The findings reflect a poignant reminder of the attacks’ profound legacy, particularly as many younger Americans have no direct memory of the events. Ipsos reports that the vast majority of respondents recall their exact location when they first learned about the attacks, and approximately two-thirds believe that the attacks significantly influenced the country. Additionally, separate data from Gallup indicates that about 30% of U.S. adults feel their lives were permanently altered by the attacks.
Commemoration and Personal Reflection
Despite the widespread acknowledgment of 9/11’s impact, the Ipsos poll indicates a relatively low level of planned commemoration for the upcoming anniversary. Only about 10% of U.S. adults expressed intentions to mark the occasion in some way. Kevin Noel, 51, shared his vivid memories of watching the attacks unfold after exiting a subway station near the World Trade Center. He described the day as “traumatic” and emphasized its lasting significance, stating, “We’re going to be remembering this for the rest of history.”
Others, like 88-year-old Clara Kiel, also plan to reflect privately on the anniversary. Kiel, who experienced World War II, noted the profound shock she felt witnessing the events of 9/11 unfold on television. “It always seems like there’s something in history that changes the way people think,” she remarked.
Generational Perspectives on Impact
The Ipsos poll reveals that the significance of the 9/11 attacks varies across generations. For individuals aged 65 and older, 9/11 is frequently mentioned alongside other major historical events such as the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and the Vietnam War. However, for younger Americans under 35, the COVID-19 pandemic appears to hold greater significance, with nearly half citing it as a defining moment. Approximately one-third of this age group includes 9/11 in their reflections.
According to a Pew Research Center poll conducted in August, about 60% of adults born after 9/11 reported learning about the attacks through school. Kainoa Ilac, an 18-year-old college student from California, mentioned that he learned about the events from his history teacher parents. He remarked, “I think that I and a lot of my peers in my generation still feel the effects of that day,” referring to changes in airport security and government surveillance.
Widespread Perception of Impact
The Ipsos survey indicates that a significant majority of Americans—approximately 90%—believe the 9/11 attacks had a considerable impact on the United States. About 70% feel that the attacks affected the world significantly, with roughly 60% stating it was impactful for their generation. However, when it comes to personal impact, only about 30% reported feeling a direct effect on their lives or families.
Individuals aged 50 and above are particularly likely to express that the attacks affected them personally. Among the small percentage of Americans planning to observe the anniversary, approximately 70% intend to participate in a moment of silence, while 56% plan to display an American flag.
Changing Views on Safety and Security
Polling data also reveals a divide in public opinion regarding the country’s safety from foreign attacks since 9/11. Roughly one-third of respondents believe the U.S. is now “more safe,” while an equal number feel it is “less safe,” with the remainder indicating that safety levels have remained unchanged. Notably, Republicans are more inclined to assert that the country has become safer since the attacks.
Confidence in the government’s ability to protect citizens from terrorism has also shifted. According to Gallup, only 55% of U.S. adults express “a great deal” or “a fair amount” of confidence in government protective measures, a marked decline from the 88% confidence recorded shortly after the attacks. Concerns about becoming a victim of terrorism have decreased but still affect about one-third of the population.
David Bronkhurst, a 49-year-old resident of Bloomingdale, New Jersey, shared that the attacks profoundly influenced his community, leading some friends to join the fire department and others to volunteer at the World Trade Center site post-attacks. Although he does not feel the country is safer now, he expressed that being fearful is not a way to live: “You can’t go through life being scared.”
The Ipsos poll surveyed 1,013 adults between August 21 and 23, utilizing a representative sample from its KnowledgePanel, which aims to reflect the U.S. population. The poll’s margin of error is approximately 3.5 percentage points.
