Image: H. Armstrong Roberts / Retrofile RF / Getty Images
About This Quiz
No matter what generation you belong to, there is no arguing that the baby boomers are a breed of their own. While we can look back on this era as a simpler time, those who grew up in these decades experienced major economic growth, social booms and the total upheaval of life as they knew it. This era is packed full of rich history and is a reminder of how far America has come. We can learn a lot from what the baby boomers accomplished over those years, but we can also take away the fact that we still have a lot of growing to do.
We want to know if you remember the technology and games of back then and if certain music lyrics or actors spark a little nostalgia for you. If you're younger, let's see if you can flex your history muscles and drop some knowledge on the Vietnam and Cold Wars. So much happened during this time, we honestly could have compiled a much longer quiz to fit it all in!
So, whether you lived through the booming years or you want to test your knowledge of the good ol' days, let's see how much you know about the baby boomers.
Between 1985 ad 1997
Between 1912 and 1933
Between 1999 and 2012
Between 1946 and 1964
Most official reports and research will tell you that baby boomers were born between 1946 and 1964. One specific grouping of baby boomers is known as the "leading-edge boomers"; they were born between 1946 and 1955 and had some awareness of world affairs during the Vietnam War. For those of us who are part of the younger generations, these people are likely our grandparents or even great-grandparents.
Advertisement
Olive oil
Soap
Think back to "A Christmas Story," when Ralphie gets soap put in his mouth after dropping a bad word. While it was a funny joke in the movie, this was a very real threat — an actual punishment some parents would inflict on their kids who misspoke or cursed in front of them.
A rag
Salt water
Advertisement
Pleated pants
Bell bottoms
Bell bottoms gained major popularity during the 1960s, especially after Sonny and Cher started wearing them on their TV show. Bell bottoms and flares get wider from the knee down, with some of the pants having leg openings of up to 26 inches.
Palazzo pants
Capri jeans
Advertisement
1950–1953
1965–1975
1955–1975
Those who grew up during this era will never forget the effects the Vietnam War had on the U.S. and the rest of the world. America was primarily involved in the war from 1965 to 1973, but the war itself lasted from 1955 to 1975, when North Vietnam forces captured the city of Saigon in the south, renaming it Ho Chi Minh City.
1970–1980
Advertisement
Nike Air Jordan
PF Flyers
We all remember Benny the Jet outrunning The Beast in "The Sandlot" because of his PF Flyers. These were first designed in 1935, but they became more popular by 1944, with the release of the first kids' sizes. Soon just about every kid was running around their neighborhood in them.
Chuck Taylor All-Stars
Adidas Samba
Advertisement
Sunny D
Tang
Astronauts are responsible for making Tang a hip drink. This breakfast beverage was used in early NASA space flights; in 1962 John Glenn conducted eating experiments in orbit, and Tang was selected for the menu. In a way, it became the "meal" of choice for astronauts, and let's face it — at the time, who was cooler than someone who had been to space?
Orange juice
Carnation Instant Breakfast
Advertisement
Allen
Wrench
Flathead screwdriver
Church key
The church key gets its name from the shape and design of the top of this tool, resembling that of a large, ornate key once used to open church doors. In 1935, with the onset of flat top beer cans, the original design gained a pointy tip so it could pierce the can. Today it can take different forms and is more commonly known as a "bottle opener."
Advertisement
Vogue
The Floss
The Jive
The Twist
Even those who didn't grow up during this time know the Twist. In the early 1960s, this move became a worldwide dance craze, even though for some it was likely too provocative. This move gained unprecedented popularity, and it set the stage for other dance moves to gain similar recognition later.
Advertisement
More comics
Food delivery
Sea Monkeys
These novelty aquarium pets were often purchased through ads seen in comic books. Because sea monkeys were super popular with boomer kids, science teachers would even buy them to use as part of their curriculum.
Alcohol
Advertisement
Tandem bike
Stingray
The Schwinn Stingray introduced the world to the famous banana seat. These bikes were first introduced in 1963 and soon were seen in every neighborhood. You knew it was a Stringray because of its high handlebars and long banana-like seat. It was an instant hit for Schwinn.
Beach cruiser
BMX bike
Advertisement
Appalachian Mountains
Sierra Nevada Mountains
Rocky Mountains
Catskill Mountains
From August 15–18 of 1969, more than 400,000 people converged on the town of Bethel, New York, located in the Catskills, for Woodstock. The event was billed as "An Aquarian Exposition: 3 Days of Peace & Music." It was held on a 600-acre dairy farm. Bethel is actually about 60 miles southwest of Woodstock, but let's be real — Woodstock sounds way cooler as a festival name than Bethel.
Advertisement
A rude donkey
A talking horse
Mr. Ed was indeed a "talking horse," voiced by the actor Allan Lane. The horse was a highly trained palomino who played opposite actor Alan Young as architect Wilbur Post. Trainers made Mr. Ed appear to be talking by placing a piece of thread in his mouth, but eventually the horse learned to move his mouth like he was talking without the thread.
A jokey mule
A sassy pony
Advertisement
Watching videos on bomb safety
Fire drills
Duck-and-cover drills
An unfortunate reality of the Cold War was the constant fear of living under the threat of nuclear war. Preparing for the worst, schools across America held drills where students and teachers had to "duck and cover" under their desks. While this wouldn't help if the blast was near, the idea was that desks could help shield people from debris if the explosion was far enough away. This practice lost popularity by the 1970s.
Tornado drills
Advertisement
Lava lamp
Whether you're a baby boomer or Gen X-er, there's a good chance you had one of these in your bedroom growing up. Edward Craven Walker invented the lava lamp in the 1960s. The light bulb underneath the liquid-filled lamp creates just enough heat to keep the goo moving and flowing.
Magma lamp
Flow n' glow lamp
Glitter lamp
Advertisement
Abraham Lincoln
John F. Kennedy
President John F. Kennedy was assassinated on November 22, 1963, in Dallas, Texas, while he was riding in a presidential motorcade in a Lincoln Continental. Many Americans watched the motorcade on their televisions, and they actually witnessed the assassination in their homes. Today, experts still debate what happened that day and how many gunmen were involved.
James A. Garfield
William McKinley
Advertisement
Andrew Johnson
Richard Nixon
The Watergate scandal that brought down a president began with the break-in at the DNC headquarters at the Watergate office complex in Washington, D.C., in 1972. The Nixon administration had been involved with the break-in, but the bigger crime was the attempted cover-up of their participation. After investigation, impeachment charges were brought against Nixon, but he resigned before a real conclusion could be reached in the courts.
Dwight D. Eisenhower
Lyndon B. Johnson
Advertisement
A-tracks
Transistor radio
Before the development of transistors, radios were not portable. With the introduction of the transistor radio, people were able to carry small, cordless radios with them wherever they went. They totally transformed the listening experience and were a huge hit.
78 records
Transmission radio
Advertisement
Marie Callender's
Stouffer's
Swanson
While all of these brands have had their moment, during the 1950s Swanson dominated the TV dinner market. The very first entree they ever offered consumers was a simple turkey dinner. Eating dinner in front of the television became a thing, and by 1956 Swanson was selling 13 million TV dinners a year.
Amy's Kitchen
Advertisement
Agent Orange
This chemical is truly horrifying. Its effects are so terrible that after seeing what it would do to people and the environment in Vietnam, officials immediately banned it in the U.S. The remaining stocks were taken from Vietnam and destroyed by 1978. There is no agent orange anywhere in the world today.
Mustard gas
Chlorine gas
Phosgene
Advertisement
Chelsea boots
Disco boots
Fashion boots
Go-go boots
"These boots are made for walkin, and that's just what they'll do!" Thanks to Nancy Sinatra, these space-agey boots were popular among hippies and high-end fashionistas alike through the 1960s and 1970s. Go-go boots have become an iconic symbol of that time.
Advertisement
He was missing his head.
That's right — the very first Mr. Potato Head didn't actually have the plastic potato head and body we know today. When purchased, only the nose, eyes, mouth and accessories came in the box. Kids inserted the pieces into actual potatoes, or even other veggies they could find.
He didn't have his mustache.
The potato was yellow, not brown.
It was more difficult to move pieces of his face around.
Advertisement
Spock
"Live long and prosper" is the Vulcan greeting made famous by Spock. Even if you're not a huge "Star Trek" fan, you still know the accompanying hand gesture that he would show as he said it. The phrase and famous gesture were suggested by the actor who played Spock, Leonard Nimoy, inspired by his Jewish faith.
Captain James T. Kirk
Sarek
Surak
Advertisement
Kansas City Chiefs
San Francisco 49ers
Green Bay Packers
Crazy to think that the very first Super Bowl happened in 1967, right? The very first championship featured the Green Bay Packers (NFL) going up against the Kansas City Chiefs (AFL) in Los Angeles. The Packers crushed the Chiefs with a final score of 35–10.
Buffalo Bills
Advertisement
Marxism
Socialsm
Anarchy
Communism
During the Cold War, Americans didn't just have a fear of nuclear war, they also feared the spread of communism, which prevailed in the Soviet Union at the time. The term "Red Scare" came from the fact that communists often pledged their allegiance to the red Soviet flag.
Advertisement
"Born in the U.S.A."
"Living in America"
"The Star-Spangled Banner"
Television programming used to end around midnight every day. Footage of a waving American flag was shown while "The Star-Spangled Banner" played. After that, an image of a test pattern appeared.
"America the Beautiful"
Advertisement
Metal
Wood
The "woody" station wagon was seen everywhere during the 1950s and 1960s. The famous paneling on its sides was made from actual wood back then, but nowadays fake wood paneling is available on a few vehicles.
Plastic
Epoxy resin
Advertisement
Something for Everybody
Heartbreak Hotel
Wild in the Country
Love Me Tender
"Heartbreak Hotel" was one of Elvis' first hits to reach the No. 1 spot in the U.S. in 1956. "Love Me Tender" catapulted him into movie stardom that very same year. Just two years later Presley was drafted into the military service; then he resumed his singing and acting career upon his return.
Advertisement
Martin Luther King Jr.
Civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his nonviolent resistance to racial prejudice in America. Dr. King always practiced nonviolence when he was protesting, and he inspired many to do the same after him. At the age of 35, King was the youngest person ever to receive the award.
Cesar Chavez
Rosa Parks
Angela Davis
Advertisement
Wham-O
What a fun business name! Wham-O has been responsible for the creation, distribution and marketing of many popular toys for about 70 years now. Along with the toys listed above, they are also responsible for the Hacky Sack, Boogie Board, Slip 'N Slide and even Silly String.
Mattel
Hasbro
Fischer-Price
Advertisement
Neil Armstrong
Neil Armstrong spoke these words; he was the first man to walk on the moon's surface. In 1969 Apollo 11 landed on the moon with Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin. They were not the first men in space — Russia sent a man first, then the Russians and the U.S. sent many others as well — but Armstrong and Aldrin were the first to make it to the moon, land successfully and return home. Michael Collins was their pilot.
Buzz Aldrin
Wernher Von Braun
John Glenn
Advertisement
Taking a drive around town
This is something you don't see much of anymore. Baby boomers will surely recall a time when they and their families would pile into the car and take a leisurely drive around town. We're willing to bet they couldn't have imagined the traffic we deal with today.
Going to church
Going to the market
Watching television
Advertisement
Mark Spitz
Mark Spitz held the record for most golds won in a Summer Olympics for decades, until fellow American Michael Phelps surpassed him by winning eight golds at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Still, on top of those golds Spitz took home, he also set world records for all seven events he participated in.
Carl Lewis
Michael Phelps
Matt Biondi
Advertisement
Fast food
Milk
Gone are the days when the milkman would deliver milk straight to your front door. Today we have meal delivery services and the ability to order groceries through Amazon and other services, but a service dedicated to milk delivery only exists in very select areas of the country. The milkmen of yore dropped off glass bottles full of milk, then picked up the empties during the next delivery.
Bread
Water
Advertisement
School hops
After hours
School socials
Sock hops
The first sock hops in 1944 were actually WWII fundraisers held by the American Junior Red Cross. They later morphed into generic school dances. The term "sock hop" came from dancers removing their shoes to protect varnished wood floors in gymnasiums.
Advertisement
128
64
Upon its introduction in 1903, a Crayola box contained eight colors. Over the years more colors were added, but the 1958 selection of 64 was a bonanza! With the new colors, this was a considerable upgrade for Crayola, offering colors like aquamarine, copper and mulberry. Since then Crayola has reached 120 in its arsenal of colors, including pig pink and fuzzy wuzzy brown.
182
24
Advertisement
Paul Newman
Steve McQueen
Steve McQueen was the quintessential man who most guys imagined themselves being and women daydreamed about. He was Hollywood's hottest leading man, a race car driver and a father. Some of his most memorable films were "The Great Escape," "The Thomas Crown Affair" and "Papillon."
Charles Bronson
James Coburn
Advertisement
David Letterman
Brian Epstein
Johnny Carson
Ed Sullivan
Before their appearance on "The Ed Sullivan Show," the Beatles were already a sensation in the U.K. Sullivan saw that they were something special and made sure that their first televised performance in America was on his show. Needless to say, the rest is history.
Advertisement
Mood ring
Most of us have worn a mood ring — heck, you may even be wearing one right now — but these babies go way back. They were created in 1975 and became popular very quickly. People were intrigued by the idea that a ring could indicate your mood based on color. We do of course know that the jewelry is just responding to the wearer's body temperature.
Moonstone ring
Glass ring
Quartz ring
Advertisement
Red rover
Polo
Hide and seek
Baseball
Baby boomers grew up during the golden age of baseball; athletes were making gigantic names for themselves and becoming heroes in the minds of Americans everywhere. Meanwhile, young boys were taking to the diamonds in their neighborhoods and doing their best to throw and hit like the baseball stars they looked up to.
Advertisement
Jimi Hendrix
Bob Dylan
Bob Dylan sang many quotable lyrics, but this line has stood the test of time. He first sang it in the early 1960s during the hippie and civil rights movements, calling for unity and understanding.
John Lennon
Johnny Cash
Advertisement
You Got:
/40
.jpg){kind=link}
