feedPivotal moments in history for Generation Y
This post at Impressions Through Media got me think about the common practice of typing major historical events to each of the generational groups. (I do it myself on the about page, even.)
In her post at Impressions Through Media, Kathy Greer mentions the death of JFK and his son as generational touchstones:
This was a basis for a discussion that took place in KGA, Inc.’s training program on Managing Generational Differences. Karen Shaw, Senior Training Consultant, asked participants to recall how and where Kennedy died. The Traditionalists and Baby Boomers say things like gunshots in Dallas, Texas; Generation Xers recall a plane crash near Martha’s Vineyard, Mass. and Generation Y participants say they really are not too sure.
It’s hard to argue with the JFK assassination and the Vietnam War as touchstone moments for the boomers, just as Nixon/Watergate and Reaganomics tend to typify Gen X. That these are all American touchstones is notable, but not really objectionable: American culture is so pervasive news coming out of it tends to have an encompassing global impact. Other countries still have their own national touchstone moments (For Canada, I’d point to Trudeaumania and the FLQ stuff as the obvious ones from the last 50 years) but American events tend to be at the core.
That said, Generation Y is hard to pin down. I hear 9/11 bandied about a lot, but that event, and the War on Terror after-effects, may find a stronger association with the generation coming after us. To really pin some history on Y, we have to look at the 1990s which, honestly, were a relatively quiet decade in terms of world-making events.
Some possibilities include:
- The Clinton impeachment
- Columbine
- Princess Diana Death
- O.J. Trial
- Rise of the internet
- Oklahoma City Bombing
- The quick rise and fall of ‘Grunge’ music
- 2000 Presidential Election Controversy
I think we have to look at the rise of the internet as our pivotal game-changing event, as it led to all the gadgets and connectivity that defines us at work now, but I may be biased by my nerdiness and love of all things digital. It’d be interesting to hear what others think.
Tags: 1990s, childhood, growing up, history, internet
There’s not a doubt in my mind – it’s 9/11. I remember what I was doing (brushing my teeth before a philosophy college class), who I was with, where I was. I will never forget lowering my toothbrush as I watched in real time the second plane hit the tower and it became clear that this was no accident. Nothing, NOTHING had ever come close in my 20 years of existence to that moment. I was supposed to be in New York City 2 days later. What if, I wondered, paralyzed as I watched in horror as desparate businesspeople jumped to certain death. The media coverage was live, in real time, it was so real it was UNREAL. I can so vividly remember TV crews running with the cameras pointing backwards as they tried to escape the collapse. When I went on my delayed trip a month later, I got off two stations lower than I meant to. The smell. That’s what the media couldn’t capture. The smell of burnt hair, a month later.
I don’t think my kids will ever ask me where I was when Clinton was impeached.