The Lost Generation
Born: 1883 to 1900.
Traits: This wandering cohort went off to Europe to fight in World War I.
Stereotype: Directionless.
Cultural touchstones: World War I, "The Sun Also Rises," "The Great Gatsby."
The G.I. Generation (the Greatest Generation)
Born: 1901 to 1924.
Traits: Coming of age between the Great Depression and World War II, this generation had a moral imperative to contribute to the war effort.
Stereotype: Critical.
Cultural touchstones: World War II.
The Silent Generation (the Lucky Few)
Born: 1925 to 1945.
Traits: Born during the Great Depression, this hearty generation worked hard and was rewarded with postwar prosperity.
Stereotype: Conformist.
Cultural touchstones: The Korean War, television.
Baby boomers
Born: 1946 to 1964.
Traits: Ambitious and optimistic, the socially conscious children of postwar America had access to financial security and the American dream.
Stereotype: Hippie.
Cultural touchstones: JFK assassination, the Vietnam War, Woodstock.
Generation X
Born: 1965 to 1980.
Traits: They were the first generation to live in a customizable world, letting themselves into their homes after school and watching cable TV.
Stereotype: Slacker.
Cultural touchstones: MTV, the Challenger explosion, grunge music.
Xennials
Born: 1977 to 1983.
Traits: They grew up at the dawn of the digital revolution at the turn of the 21st century.
Stereotype: None yet.
Cultural touchstones: "My So-Called Life," "The Oregon Trail," the O.J. Simpson trial.
Millennials (Generation Y)
Born: 1981 to 1995.
Traits: Change-friendly and tech-savvy, they want their work to mean something — if they can find a job.
Stereotype: Entitled.
Cultural touchstones: Taylor Swift, the 9/ 11 attacks, Instagram.
Generation Z
Born: 1996 to 2009.
Traits: Raised with mobile technology at their fingertips, Gen Zers think visually and globally about making the world a better place.
Stereotype: Digital addicts.
Cultural touchstones: YouTube influencers, the Obama presidency, Snapchat.
Sources: Pew Research Center; Sarah Sladek, XYZ University; Neil Howe, Forbes
Singing, ceremonies and straw hats: Olympics opening ceremony in Tahiti centers Polynesian culture
![Viva Froeming, left, touched the face of friend Virginia Goering as her twin sister Vera Sims looks on. The three ladies, all 101 years old, have been](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/ZRFTXJFYUVHBTFGD4UNQNYTEGI.jpg?h=91&w=145&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)
Three 101-year-old friends recall fond memories in 1940s Alexandria
Celine Dion makes musical comeback at Paris Olympics with Eiffel Tower serenade
![Former Gophers diver Sarah Bacon, right, will compete with Kassidy Cook in the women's 3-meter synchronized springboard competition at the Paris Olymp](https://arc.stimg.co/startribunemedia/N37HMV3KY5CYPB4SIMTKQVIH7M.jpg?h=91&w=145&fit=crop&bg=999&crop=faces)