CBS News poll: 25 years after 9/11, most see a changed country and some success fighting terrorism

September 9, 2026 / 5:00 PM EDT / CBS News

Twenty-five years later, Americans view the terror attacks of Sept. 11, 2001 as a defining event — one that fundamentally changed the country and that needs to be remembered.

As people look back, they see a different country today in some ways. Most feel there is less unity now than at the time of the attacks, though many think that the U.S. would unify as it did 25 years ago if another terror attack from overseas were to happen today.

In response to the 9/11 attacks, the U.S. launched a military campaign often referred to as the "war on terrorism." Today, most feel that campaign has been at least somewhat successful, although some uneasiness remains.

There are many today who weren't born or were too young to remember 9/11. They have since come to learn about the attacks in school and from teachers and from family and friends, as well.

But even if they don't remember it very well personally, most younger adults do recognize 9/11 as a consequential event. Most of them, like the public overall, believe those attacks changed the country forever, although it's older Americans who especially…

Original source: https://www.cbsnews.com/healthwatch/