Considering the legacy of 9/11

Globe readers have taken this week’s Decoding the Decade question to heart. We asked you to name the most important international news story of the year. Your answers will help form a list from which readers can choose their most significant story of the decade.

Last week’s question: Name the most underrated film of the decade is still being voted on. Have your say in the poll on our Decade home page. See the results here.

Based on your responses so far, some conclusions can be drawn. While it’s clear that 9/11 is one of the most important events of the millennium, readers are split over whether the events of that day should stand alone, or represent all that followed since (the invasion of Iraq, the war in Afghanistan, the war on Terror etc.). Then there is the debate around climate change. You have referred to the climate crisis as Global Warming, Climategate and Climate Change... There may not be consensus on the nomenclature, but clearly this is a topic that resonates with readers.

The rise of China and the decline of the United States have garnered votes. A dark horse story that seems to be gathering steam is the Internet, with some related votes for the rise of wireless technology and the founding of Facebook.

Then there are the random suggestions that clearly matter to individuals. Ukraine’s Orange Revolution, Hurricane Katrina, the Bush Administration in general, same-sex marriage, the price of gold and obesity rates and child poverty.

Voting on this question will begin Monday morning, so make sure to send us your suggestions.

Here is an image, courtesy of wordle.net that gives a visual representation of Globe reader votes so far.