How quickly we seem to have forgotten the lessons of 9/11. The state of the country seems even more tumultuous today than it did the days before that day — one of the most tragic days In America’s history.

It’s not totally surprising that this is the case, though. History does repeat itself.

Twenty-five years after Pearl Harbor — which was the year 1966 — there was a lot of unrest.

In fact, the words of a popular mid-60s song were as true then as they are today.

“This cruel world, it is exploding.

Violence flaring, bullets floating.”

If you’re a fan of oldies song, you likely remember these lyrics from the Barry McGuire hit “Eve of Destruction,” released in 1965, but played heavily on radio stations throughout 1966.

There are numerous similarities between the 25 year span after Pearl Harbor and the 25 year period after the infamous Sept. 11th attacks.

Americans — black and white, rich and poor, urban and rural — came together as never before immediately following that cowardly attack on Pearl Harbor that took more than 2,500 American lives. The nation became united, probably as it never had before.

But in a span of just 25 years, that cohesion was fragmented by another war, Vietnam, as well as continued racial strife and social indifferences.

McGuire’s song continued, “and even the Jordan River has bodies floating. Now you tell me, you don’t believe, we’re on the Eve of Destruction.” That’s so true today, too.

The Sept. 11, 2001, attack was another blindsided attack on America. It occurred when terrorists hijacked four jetliners, which were filled with innocent people and crashed them the iconic twin towers of the World Trade Center, and the heart of America’s military — the Pentagon. One plane was forced to crash in a Pennsylvania field before it could strike a target, thanks to the heroism of passengers who fought the terrorists. A total of 2,977 people died, not including the 19 hijackers. Thousands more were injured.

Just as they were with the Pearl Harbor attack, we were stunned. And then united. I lived through it and interviewed local folks who had jumbled thoughts, who never believed there was such a vulnerability.

Twenty-five years later, the lessons of that somber Tuesday morning in 2001 seem to be forgotten. Just like in 1966, there is division at home, wars are being fought throughout the globe, there is distrust and envy not just in America but globally.

In 1966, in the 25 years after Pearl Harbor united America, the country had again become fragmented. American lives were being lost in an undeclared war raging in Asia and resulting violent protests were occurring. Racial tensions were high, with the FBI launching a full investigation of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Richard Nixon, who eventually was tied to the Watergate scandal a few years later, was elected president. The CIA was launching covert operations in Latin America.

In 2026, two-and-a-half decades after 9/11, we again no longer are united. You’re either a conservative or liberal, and you’re either with us or against us. There’s no compromise or rationalization. The world seems to be exploding with violence flaring and bullets floating both domestically and abroad.

The crevices formed between the rich and poor, Americans and immigrants, and even among neighbors have formed dangerously deep. Even some of our simple freedoms seem to be eroding. Bodies still are floating in the Jordan River.

In 1966, there were drills in elementary schools in which students hid under their desks in case of a nuclear attack from Russia. There were local bomb shelters.

In 2026, our news is filled with features that are as frightening for children as those school drills were.

In World War II, American and its allies bonded to fight an evil enemy.

By 1966, some of those ties were frayed.

After 9/11, in 2001, an alliance formed to combat a world terroristic threat. And like we went after the enemy after Pearl Harbor, so did we seek the perpetrators of 9/11.

Twenty-five years later, the alliances that were forged with other nations who helped us in our time of need don’t seem as cohesive.

Another song that was played heavily on radios in 1966 was one written by Pete Seegar for the group The Byrds called “Turn, Turn, Turn.” It was based on the Bible book of Ecclesiastics and began, “For everything, there is a season.”

Later in the song, a line said, “A time for peace,” for which Seegar deviated from the Bible verses, writing about the current conditions and proclaiming “I swear it’s not too late.”

Hopefully, it doesn’t take another mass casualty assault from an adversary on our own soil to again bring America together.

By holding remembrances of 9/11, and hopefully educating the generation since who didn’t experience it firsthand, will eventually lead us back to being a united United States.

Ron Gower is a retired Times News journalist, who still contributes articles on a regular basis.