Poll Finds Americans Still See 9/11 as Defining, Yet Unity Has Declined
The early-September 2026 survey indicates that while a majority consider the September 11 attacks a watershed that reshaped the United States, fewer believe the country is as united as it was then. Respondents generally judge the anti-terrorism campaign as at least partially effective, though many remain uneasy about terrorism. Views on preparedness split along partisan lines, with Republicans more confident than Democrats and independents. About a quarter of adults have visited a 9/11 memorial or museum.
A nationally representative poll of 2,373 U.S. adults conducted between September 1-4, 2026 finds Americans continue to regard the September 11, 2001 attacks as a watershed moment that fundamentally changed the nation. Most respondents believe the ensuing "war on terrorism" has achieved at least some success, yet a sizable share still feels uneasy about the threat. Compared with the post-attack period, fewer say the country is currently unified, and opinions on whether the U.S. would rally after a new overseas terror attack are divided, with roughly half expecting similar or greater unity and 40 % doubting it.
Partisan differences are evident: Republicans tend to view the nation as prepared, while Democrats and independents are more skeptical. Around one-quarter of adults report having visited a 9/11 memorial or museum, underscoring the event's lasting cultural imprint.
Why it matters
The poll reveals shifting public sentiment on security, unity and terrorism policy a quarter-century after 9/11.
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