At a glance
Notable context
- The label was introduced by a 1951 Time magazine article.
- Many came of age during postwar prosperity and Cold War politics.
- This cohort sits between the Greatest Generation and Baby Boomers.
Position in time
Generations timeline
The highlighted period shows where Silent Generation sits among the commonly used modern generation ranges.
The Silent Generation commonly refers to people born from 1928 to 1945. They grew up during the Great Depression and World War II, then entered adulthood during a period of postwar expansion and Cold War tension.
A 1951 Time magazine article helped popularize the name. The term is a historical label, not a claim that every member was quiet or politically inactive; people in this cohort contributed to major changes in civil rights, culture, science, and work.
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.
Want to explore this subject in more depth?
Read about Silent Generation on Wikipedia