— Eleanor Roosevelt
In the United States, the Builders born between 1901 and 1924 experienced the mass migration from country to city life, the switch from horse-drawn to motor vehicles and Spanish flu that killed over 50 million people. They used outhouses, grew up without electricity and raised the Silent generation.
Those born between 1924 and 1945 were influenced by the Great Depression and World War II. They experienced air travel, labor unions and expected lifetime jobs with one employer. They and the Builders created the Baby Boomers’ world.
Those born from 1946 to 1964 grew up with interstate highways, the Civil Rights struggle, television, the assassinations of President John Kennedy and Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Their world included credit cards and conglomerates.
Unlike before, Generation X [born 1965 to 1980] understood the phrases, “what’s in it for me,” ‘latch-key children” and MTV. Next came Millennials [1981-1995/6], raised in a 24/7, non-stop, fast-paced world of iPhones, Google, Facebook and Amazon. They’re followed by Generation Z, children of the 21st century who are shaping the world for Generation Alpha.
This week, I caught “The Neutral Zone,” the May 16, 1988 episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation. There, three cryogenically-frozen people are revived from a derelict, 20th century Earth vessel. When one man mourns the loss of his wealth and status, starship Enterprise captain smiles indulgently and says, “This is the 24th century. Material needs no longer exist.”
Shocked, the gentleman asks, “Then, what’s the challenge?”
Picard answers, “The challenge, Mr. Offenhouse, is to improve yourself. To enrich yourself. Enjoy it.”
In creating conditions from which future generations will grow, consider Jonas Salk’s question, Are we being good ancestors?
Also consider:
- All good men and women must take responsibility to create legacies that will take the next generation to a level we could only imagine. ― Jim Rohn
- Each day we choose to live the legacy we want to leave. – Pam Farrel
Succeed and Soar!
Sources for Generation Dates & Names
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