At a glance
Notable context
- Its name was popularized by journalist Tom Brokaw in a 1998 book.
- Many members lived through both the Great Depression and World War II.
- The label is used mainly in the United States.
Position in time
Generations timeline
The highlighted period shows where Greatest Generation sits among the commonly used modern generation ranges.
The Greatest Generation is a widely used U.S. label for people born from 1901 to 1927. Their childhoods and early adult lives were shaped by the Great Depression, and many served in or supported the armed forces during World War II.
The name became especially familiar after journalist Tom Brokaw used it as the title of his 1998 book. It recognizes a cohort often associated with sacrifice, civic participation, and rebuilding after the war, while leaving room for the many different lives within it.
Use the label as a starting point for historical context rather than a complete description of any individual. Birth-year ranges also differ between researchers and publications.
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