The Silent Generation – the cohort that reached adulthood between 1946 and 1963 – grew up in the shadow of the Great Depression and World War II. This cohort was the smallest in the past 100 years, in part because of the volatility of the era.

Members of the Silent Generation fought in the Korean War and lived through McCarthyism in their early years. During this time period, the U.S. emerged as the de facto world super power and society was changing rapidly in response. Living standards were rising, consumerism took hold, and suburbs began expanding in earnest.

Today, members of this generation are in their golden years, with the youngest members reaching retirement age in 2010. Silent Generation currently makes up just over 7% of the U.S. population.