Baby Boomers

A Generation of Triumphs and Trials

The story of the baby boomer generation is one of promise, progress, and paradox. Born between 1946 and 1964, they came of age in an era of postwar optimism, economic expansion, and rapid social change. Their lives were shaped by some of the most defining events of modern history—Vietnam, Watergate, the civil rights movement, the Cold War, 9/11, and the COVID-19 pandemic. They witnessed the birth of television, personal computers, and the internet, and many helped bring these innovations into the mainstream. Along the way, they experienced both prosperity and hardship, embracing independence, consumer culture, and optimism about progress while also confronting doubts about institutions, politics, and global security. As they enter retirement, baby boomers face new realities. Rising healthcare costs, financial insecurity, and climate change weigh heavily on their future, even as longer life expectancy and technological advances offer opportunities for independence and resilience. Their influence, however, remains undeniable. They continue to shape politics, culture, and the economy, whether through their votes, their spending, or their values. For some, these are the best of times, marked by comfort, stability, and fulfillment; for others, they are the worst, shadowed by uncertainty, inequality, and the challenges of aging. What remains clear is that the baby boomer generation has lived through an extraordinary period in history, leaving behind a legacy as complex as the times they navigated. Their story is one of triumphs and trials, hope and struggle, but above all, enduring impact. They are not only witnesses to history but also central characters in shaping it—and their influence will continue to echo long after their era has passed.