Article

Was 9/11 This Generation's Pearl Harbor?

Was 9/11 This Generation's Pearl Harbor?

There are chilling similarities between Pearl Harbor and 9/11 – but fundamental differences too. Which event will have a lasting effect on our future?  What meaning and significance from these two catastrophic attacks will have a greater impact on America?

September 13, 2021
Was 9/11 This Generation's Pearl Harbor?
Important Disclosure: Content on our website and in our newsletters is for informational purposes only. The information provided may (or may not) directly apply to your situation. We recommend that readers work directly with a professional advisor when making decisions in the context of their specific situation.

On December 7, 2001, a Gallup Poll ran the following headline:

“Americans Say Sept. 11 Will Be More Historically Significant Than Pearl Harbor.”

That December 7th day when Gallop ran that headline marked the 60th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. But it was also just a few months after the September 11th attacks in New York and Washington – when many Americans were comparing the events in 1941 to those that had just occurred.

Ask yourself: which event had a more significant effect on the United States? The attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941 or the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon in September 2001?

According to Gallup, 72% say 9/11. And before someone asks about Americans 65 and older – those with memories of both Pearl Harbor and the war that followed – consider this: those 65 and older say 9/11 will have a greater impact on America too.

The Parallels

  • Both attacks came with little forewarning and no single provocation.
  • Both attacks were against major U.S. structures.
  • Both attacks killed thousands of Americans, on scales eerily similar: 2,403 Americans on that awful Sunday in 1941 and 2,605 Americans (out of 2,996 victims) on that dreadful Tuesday in 2001.
  • Both attacks led to long wars, with catastrophic death tolls.

The Differences & How We Teach

While there are chilling similarities between Pearl Harbor and 9/11, there are plenty of important differences. Differences that need to be discussed with an open mind and within historical context.

The reality is that while 9/11 might seem like yesterday to most, students in 2019’s high school senior class were not yet born on Sept. 11, 2001. To them 9/11 is history – just like Pearl Harbor.

Twenty years from now, history books might suggest that 9/11 touched our lives and our children’s lives far longer and with more impact than Pearl Harbor ever did. Maybe even longer than World War II.

The fact is that each generation gives different meaning to the same historical events based on whatever issues they are currently concerned about. So, never forget the words of Thomas Jefferson:

“I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past.”

Other content you may like

  • Brian Wesbury from First Trust

    Video: The Coronavirus Contraction

    April 4, 2020
    The major flu in 1957-1958 killed many people and had an impact on the stock market much like today. This video provides some data and insight as to why the market impact from COVID-19 may be temporary and short-lived.
    Read this Article
  • A concerned man reviews his grocery bill in front of the produce section of a market. There is a cargo ship and containers, as well as a truck to transport goods, in the background. There are dollar signs signifying the cost of items in the supply chain is a concern.

    Tariffs, Trade and Your Grocery Bill

    July 7, 2025
    You may not follow every headline about trade policy, but you can’t miss the ripple effect when a week’s worth of groceries suddenly costs $20 more. Here’s why those checkout‑line surprises matter to both your pantry and your portfolio. From Cargo Ship to Shopping Cart: How Tariffs Travel When the U.S. or its trading partners […]
    Read this Article
  • Americas Changing Vision of Retirement

    America's Changing Vision of Retirement

    June 16, 2023
    The concept of retirement in America is changing.  Traditional retirement is based on the assumption that it is designed to be a time to enjoy life by not working. There are other considerations that many retirement-aged people are discovering. Have you considered your personal goals and resources to define your unique vision of retirement?
    Read this Article
  • Mid-Quarter Roundtable Highlights

    Podcast Highlight - Answering Client Questions: How can I avoid a possible 2023 recession?

    December 10, 2022
    The team discusses stats from previous recessions and how the stock market has done before, during and after the big recessions. They also demystify leading indicators and bring up some silver linings that you may not have considered before. Enjoy this highlight clip from the Strong Valley Mid-Quarter Roundtable discussion.
    Read this Article
  • The link you have selected is located on another server. The linked site contains information that has been created, published, maintained, or otherwise posted by institutions or organizations independent of this organization. We do not endorse, approve, certify, or control any linked websites, their sponsors, or any of their policies, activities, products, or services. We do not assume responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or timeliness of the information contained therein. Visitors to any linked websites should not use or rely on the information contained therein until they have consulted with an independent financial professional. Please click “Continue to Link” to leave this website and proceed to the selected site.
    phone-handset