Auch ein solches Phänomen erinnert sich nicht von selbst: Der 11. September 2001 als Geschichtszeichen in Historiographie und Politik

Abstract

Abstract This essay discusses the perception of 11 September 2001 as a caesura in historiography and politics. Based on a critical review of recent publications in history and reflections of key politicians, such as former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, the contribution scrutinizes the conventions of the historical discipline as well as popular narratives on history. In this respect, 9/11 has not triggered a sequence of separate events embedded in their social, political, economic and other context, but has generated as a particular historical event specific conditions for a historical assessment of globalization after 9/11 as well as space for political action as such.