Most Americans who were alive before the Sept. 11 attacks still remember where they were or what they were doing when they learned what happened, according to a new Pew Research Center survey marking the 25th anniversary.
Among adults born before 2001, 83% said they remember the moment clearly, including 93% of those who were at least 10 years old when terrorists attacked the World Trade Center and Pentagon.
Pew surveyed 5,166 U.S. adults from Aug. 24 through Aug. 30, 2026. Participants were members of the center's American Trends Panel, which is designed to represent the adult population nationwide.
A growing share learned about the attacks later
Ten percent of U.S. adults were born after 2001 and know about the attacks only from what others have taught or told them, Pew found.
Among adults ages 18 to 24, 60% said they first learned about 9/11 in class or through schoolwork. Sixteen percent first heard from family or friends, while 8% learned by reading or watching something on their own.
One percent gave another answer and 14% were unsure how they first learned about the attacks.
Initial unity proved temporary
Pew said polling conducted after the attacks documented widespread fear, anger and sadness, along with overwhelming support for military action against those responsible.
The center's review of two decades of opinion data found Americans initially came together through shared grief and patriotism, but that unity did not last.
Pew has surveyed public reactions to 9/11 since the immediate aftermath and has continued measuring views of the attacks and related issues. The new analysis was written by Jocelyn Kiley, the center's director of politics research.
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