Americans' identities are shaped by shared experiences — and there are a handful of historically significant experiences that stand out above the rest.
A 2016 survey from the Pew Research Center and A+E Networks' History Channel asked more than 2,000 American adults of different ages, races, political views, education levels, and income to list 10 events in their lifetimes they thought had the greatest impact on the country.
The respondents' answers typically varied by generation and other demographic indicators, but there were a couple of recent events that bridged nearly every divide.
Since the survey was conducted over a year ago, the responses don't account for more recent events like President Donald Trump's inauguration, mass shootings in Las Vegas and Parkland, or the #MeToo movement.
From the Apollo 11 moon landing to the election of the nation's first black president, these are the events that were most often included in Americans' top 10 events that will go down as the most significant in the country's history:
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10. The Gulf War (tie)
Roughly 10% of survey respondents placed the Gulf War, which occurred during George H.W. Bush's administration, in the top 10 events that shaped their lifetimes.
The war was of particular importance to Generation X respondents, who were the only generational group to list the event. Gender-wise, the survey showed that 12% of men placed the war in their lists, compared to just 8% of women.
10. The Orlando shooting (tie)
The mass shooting that killed 49 and wounded more than 50 others on June 12, 2016, was also named by 10% of survey respondents, but was ranked particularly highly by Latinos and Millennials, appearing in 19% and 17% of each groups' lists, respectively.
The Pew Research Center notes that the attack, which took place at Orlando's Pulse nightclub on "Latin Night," disproportionately targeted Latinos, who made up 90% of those killed.
9. Gay marriage
The Supreme Court's decision to legalize gay marriage appeared in the top 10 lists of 11% of Americans, but was of most significance to Millennials — 19% of whom included the event.
Gender also factored into the respondents' view of the decision's significance, with 14% of women placing gay marriage in their lists, and just 8% of men.
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