Berlin Wall Falls/End Cold War
Obama Election/Presidency
Osama Bin Laden Killed
Oklahoma City Bombing
Iraq/Afghanistan Wars
JFK Assassination
MLK Jr. Assassination
Orlando/Pulse Shooting
Columbine Shooting
The Tech Revolution*
Sandy Hook Shooting
Challenger Explosion
Hurricane Katrina
Korean War
Boston Marathon
Great Recession
Moon Landing
World War II
Gulf War
Vietnam
Sept. 11
76%
40%
All
Americans
22%
17%
20%
21%
17%
10%
13%
10%
Generation:
59
44
41
29
37
Silent/
Greatest
27
28
18
14
Silent/Greatest generation born before 1945
70
41
45
35
38
26
16
Baby
Boomers
15
11
Baby Boomers were born 1946 to 1964
79
9
40
18
20
21
15
14
9
9
10
Gen X
Generation Xers born 1965 to 1980
86
17
7
7
47
24
18
10
11
10
Millennials
7
Millennials born after 1980
1940
1950
1960
1970
1980
1990
2000
2010
2016
* Tech Revolution: includes responses that mention “computers,” “internet,” “cell phone,” “smartphone,” or “social media.” While there is no defined date for this ongoing trend, it is represented here by 1975, the advent of the personal computer.
** Gay marriage: While the fight for gay marriage spans decades, it is represented here by 2015, when the Supreme Court ruled gay marriage was lawful throughout the country.
Note: Respondents could choose multiple answers, figures do not add to 100.
Source: Survey conducted June 16-July 15, 2016.
