Part One of a 3-Part Series
Baby Boomers were born between 1946 and 1964 and are currently between the ages of 55-75. This generation makes up a significant portion of the world’s population particularly in developed countries, such as the United States. The Baby Boomers had made up 21.9% of the population in the United States as of 2019. The current largest population is the Millennial Generation, this group was born between the years of 1981-1996 and are currently 26-41 years of age.
Let’s take a look at the world in 1946 when Baby Boomers first arrived on this planet. In 1946 the United States was celebrating victory over Japan on VJ Day, when Japan surrendered to the United States and ended World War II. In the years following World War II the United States was ushered into a time of debates surrounding Communism, a political idea. This is an idea in which communities do not have social classes based on your wealth or lack of wealth, it is a way to allow the whole community to have a share of the wealth. In this society the government or the whole community owns the land, and the factories and shares the wealth that they create.
When the World War II soldiers came marching home to the United States, they were greeted by the GI Bill of Rights, a new law that made it possible for former servicemen and servicewomen to receive loans and access to education. The result was the creation of educational opportunities that led to a productive “Middle Class”, a group that has a larger number of college degrees when compared to the “Working Class”, the “Middle Class” have more available income, and are more often home owners. Those who belong to the “Middle Class” are often employed as professionals, managers, and civil servants, a person who works for the government.
This new world after the end of World War II, was not experienced in the same way by all returning servicemen and servicewomen. This new world continued to embrace segregation, racism, and unfair loan practices that were not impacted by the introduction of the GI Bill of Rights. These unfair practices connected to the racism and segregation of the times contributed to the unfair access to home ownership and higher education that are the basic tools for building “Generational Wealth”, as in wealth to pass on to future generations. Some returning veterans received home loans and opportunities for higher education and business loans. The numbers of returning soldiers also led to an increase in the Birth Rate resulting in the creation of the “Baby Boomer” generation.
It was not all work and no play as Hollywood produced two of its most popular movies that have stood the test of time and continue to enjoy popularity in today’s most watched classic movies, It’s A Wonderful Life” and The Best Year of Our Lives, both released in 1946. These movies include a back drop of the political and segregated times not only of race but the continued experience of The Haves and The Have Nots. This is further confirmation that art does imitate life and gives a voice to those who would not have a voice without the world of art and entertainment.
In addition to Hollywood’s contribution for entertainment, in 1947 the first World Series was played between the Yankees and the Dodgers. This was also the first time in baseball history that a black man played in the World Series, Jackie Robinson, it was also the first World Series that was shown on television.
Americans for the first time in history watched America’s favorite past time, Baseball, from the comfort of their homes. All across the United States, baseball fans agreed that New York City was the right place for the first World Series. Dear Readers, stay tuned for part two in the 3 part series of, Introducing the Baby Boomers.