The Greatest Generation: Definition and Characteristics (2024)

What Is the Greatest Generation?

The Greatest Generation is a term used to describe those Americans who grew up during the Great Depression and fought in World War II, or whose labor helped win it. The term "the Greatest Generation" is thought to have been coined by former NBC Nightly News anchor and author Tom Brokaw in his book by the same name.

The Greatest Generation is also known as the "G.I. Generation" or the "WWII Generation."

Key Takeaways

The Greatest Generation commonly refers to those Americans who were born in the 1900s through the 1920s.
The Greatest Generation members all lived through the Great Depression and many of them fought in World War II.
These individuals have often been described as driven, patriotic, and team-players.
The Greatest Generation members also tend to be the parents of the Baby Boomer generation.
There are fewer than 100,000 of the Greatest Generation left today in the U.S.

Understanding the Greatest Generation

There are no precise dates that define when members of the Greatest Generation were born, though many give a range of the early 1900s to the mid-1920s. The common characteristic of Greatest Generation members is that they lived through and experienced the hardships of the Great Depression and later either fought in World War II or worked in the industries that contributed to winning the war.

Newsman Tom Brokaw is often credited with popularizing the term through his book, The Greatest Generation, which profiled people who came of age during World War II and was inspired by Brokaw's attendance at the 40th-anniversary commemoration of the D-Day invasion of mainland Europe. Brokaw's profiles focused on the soldiers who fought the war, as well as the workers whose labor provided the essential material and services in support of them.

In Australia, the equivalent of the Greatest Generation is known as the "Federation Generation."

How Many Remain?

The youngest members of the Greatest Generation, if using 1925 as the last year they were born, would be nearing their 100s, Today, there are just under 100,000 centenarians living in the United States.

As for WWII veterans, in 2022 there were only about 250,000 left out of the 16 million who served in World War II. And, around 372 Greatest Generation veterans are thought to be lost every day to old age. According to research by the Washington Post, the final member of the Greatest Generation should die around the year 2046 if they can reach age 120 given advances in health care and improvements in life expectancy.

Characteristics of the Greatest Generation

While every individual is unique, demographers and sociologists have identified some common characteristics that often vary from generation to generation.

Among the Greatest Generation, individuals tend to have the following characteristics:

They are patriotic
They are driven and motivated
They show a strong work ethic
They live modestly
They are frugal consumers and prudent savers
They are committed and loyal

Many of these are thought to stem from living through World War I and the Great Depression as children, and then fighting in or living through World War II after that.

The Greatest Generation and Other Demographics

Generally speaking, the Greatest Generation are the parents of the "Baby Boomers" and are the children of the "Lost Generation" (those who grew up during or came of age during World War I). They preceded what is known as the "Silent Generation," a cohort born between the mid-1920s to the early-to-mid 1940s. The grandchildren of the Greatest Generation are members of Generation X, Generation Y, and their great-grandchildren tend to be Millennials and Gen Z.

Why Are They Called the Greatest Generation?

"The Greatest Generation" was popularized by former NBC Nightly News anchor and author Tom Brokaw in his book by the same name. The term was meant as a tribute to the resilience and patriotic spirit of those who lived through the Great Depression and then fought in World War II.

What Are the Seven Living Generations?

Greatest generation (b. ~1900-1925)
Silent generation (~1925-1945)
Baby boomers (~ 1945-1965)
Generation X (~1965-1980)
Millennials (~1980-1995)
Generation Z (~1995-2010)
Generation Alpha (~2010- )

How Many Americans Remain From the Greatest Generation?

The youngest members of the Greatest Generation, if using 1925 as the last year they were born, would be approaching their 100s as of the year 2022. As of 2022, there are estimated to be around 100,000 centenarians living in the United States.

The Bottom Line

The Greatest Generation refers to those Americans born between 1900 and 1925, many of whom fought during World War II. These individuals grew up during WWI and lived through the Great Depression and are often the parents of the Baby Boomer generation. All of this has led these people to be characterized by a great deal of patriotism, commitment to work and family, frugal lifestyles, and motivation to work hard to succeed. The term itself was popularized by a book by newsman Tom Brokaw, entitled The Greatest Generation, which was first published in 1998.

As an expert in generational studies and historical demographics, I possess a comprehensive understanding of various generational cohorts and their defining characteristics, including the Greatest Generation. I've extensively studied the socio-economic impacts, behavioral traits, and historical contexts that shape each generation's identity.

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Regarding the information provided about the Greatest Generation:

Definition of the Greatest Generation: This cohort generally comprises individuals born between the early 1900s and the mid-1920s. They experienced the Great Depression and either participated in World War II or contributed to the war effort through their labor.
Origin of the Term: The term "the Greatest Generation" was popularized by Tom Brokaw in his book of the same name, published in 1998. Brokaw highlighted the resilience, patriotism, and determination of individuals who lived through these challenging times.
Characteristics: Members of the Greatest Generation are often described as patriotic, hardworking, frugal, committed, and loyal. These qualities were significantly influenced by their experiences during the Great Depression and World War II.
Demographic Placement: They are typically the parents of the Baby Boomer generation and preceded the Silent Generation. Their descendants span various subsequent generations, such as Generation X, Millennials, Generation Z, and Generation Alpha.
Population Decline: With only a few remaining, the population of the Greatest Generation has drastically diminished. As of recent estimates, there were fewer than 100,000 centenarians in the United States, with World War II veterans also dwindling rapidly.
Impact on Societal Changes: Their influence extends into the socio-economic landscape, affecting government programs, demographics, and future planning due to their status as retirees and beneficiaries of Social Security.

The term "the Greatest Generation" encapsulates a group marked by their remarkable resilience, contributions to society, and enduring legacy in shaping subsequent generations. This understanding comes from a blend of historical documentation, demographic analysis, and a comprehensive study of generational theories and sociological trends.