The population of America is composed of six distinct age groups living side by side in the US today. These generations are often studied and compared to each other, with the goal of finding out what makes each one unique. But a recent survey conducted by The Pew Research Center revealed some interesting results about what we have in common.
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America’s defining moments
How do you measure the significance of a historic event?
Americans across four living generations were asked to name the five most significant historic events in their lifetimes.
For the “silent generation,” World War II, JFK’s assassination, the moon landing and the Vietnam War were among the most defining historic events, with the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks topping the list as the most significant event to occur during their lifetime.
Baby boomers came along after WWII ended. For this generation, the moon landing, the assassination of JFK, and the Vietnam War still ranked high, as did 9/11 — but Barack Obama’s election also appeared on their list of most significant events.
Large numbers of Gen X-ers named 9/11 as the most significant historic event of their lifetime — along with the fall of the Berlin Wall, the tech revolution, the war in Iraq, and Obama’s election.
Millennials, now the largest generation in America, cited the tech revolution, 9/11, the war in Iraq, and Obama’s election. They were also the only generation to include the legalization of gay marriage as a significant moment that occurred in their lifetime.
Interestingly, 9/11 topped the list across generations, with the majority of all four age groups listing the terrorist attacks as the most significant national event of their lifetimes.
The aftermath of 9/11 left a lasting mark on our country, and when you look back, it also brought generations of Americans together.
Today, as many Americans struggle with the impact of the coronavirus in their lives and communities, a new significant milestone may be unifying individuals across generations. Additionally, the impact of recent demonstrations around racial discrimination and race relations remains to be seen.
Want to learn more about the trends shaping America today? Check out LivingFacts.org, a non-partisan source for fascinating facts about America and Americans, from The Pew Charitable Trusts.