Archive · 4 Sep 2026
Twenty-Five Years Later, 9/11 Remains Vivid for Americans
The September 11 attacks happened 25 years ago.
Four airplanes were hijacked that morning.
Two crashed into the World Trade Center, one hit the Pentagon, and one crashed in Pennsylvania.
The attacks killed 2,977 people.
Most Americans who were old enough to remember that day still remember what they were doing.
Younger adults often learned about 9/11 at school instead of experiencing it themselves.
The attacks caused fear, sadness and anger across the United States.
They also led the U.S. government to begin what it called the 'war on terror.'
A Pew Research Center survey found that 83% of U.S. adults born before 2001 remember where they were when they first heard about 9/11.
Among Americans who were at least 10 years old on September 11, 2001, the figure rises to 93%.
About one in 10 U.S. adults was born after the attacks and knows about them through others or formal learning.
Among adults aged 18 to 24, 60% first learned about 9/11 in class or through schoolwork.
The attacks killed 2,977 people and prompted the George Bush administration to launch the 'war on terror.'
- Who
- The attacks involved hijackers, airplane passengers and people in the United States; the survey examined U.S. adults.
- What
- A Pew Research Center survey measured Americans' memories and sources of knowledge about the September 11 attacks.
- When
- The attacks occurred on September 11, 2001; the survey was conducted from August 24 to 30, 2026.
- Where
- The attacks struck the World Trade Center in New York City, the Pentagon near Washington, D.C., and a field in Pennsylvania.
- Why
- The survey examined how 9/11 remains a lived memory for older Americans while becoming history for younger people.
- Deaths
- 2,977 people were killed in the attacks.
- Survey sample
- Pew received responses from 5,166 U.S. adults out of 5,602 sampled.
- Survey method
- The survey was conducted primarily online, with some interviews by phone.
- Older adults' memories
- 83% of adults born before 2001 remember exactly where they were or what they were doing when they first heard about the attacks.
- Those aged at least 10 in 2001
- 93% remember where they were or what they were doing when they first heard about 9/11.
- Young adults' main source
- 60% of Americans aged 18 to 24 first learned about 9/11 in class or through schoolwork.
- Post-9/11 generation
- One in 10 U.S. adults was born after the attacks.