1. Generation X Approximately 1961 - 1981

2. Generation X (1961-1981) A.K.A. (also known as…) – GenX – Xers – The 13 th Generation – Slackers – The MTV Generation (1975-85) – The Boomerang Generation (1981-86) “Uhhhhh…heh-heh.” (classic slackers)

3. Generation X (1961-1981) Defining Historical Events MLK is assassinated in 1968 The Watergate scandal taints public trust in government forever (1973) The Vietnam War finally freakin’ ends (1975) U.S. Bicentennial (1976) Mt. St. Helens erupts (1980) President Reagan is shot but survives (1981) The Berlin Wall falls in 1989; communism fails and Cold War ends Space Shuttle Challenger explodes with first teacher in space on board (1986) Grunge is born (1987-1994) Persian Gulf War (1991) Terrorist bombing of NY World Trade Center (1993) O.J. Simpson trial (1994-95) Oklahoma City bombing (1995) Bombing at Summer Olympics in Atlanta (1996) President Clinton and Monica Lewinsky scandal and impeachment (1998)

4. Generation X (1961-1981) Defining Technological Events Sony Walkman (1979) MTV (1981) – yes, they actually played music videos! VCR (1985) – VHS vs. Betamax Personal Computers: Commodore 64 (1982), Apple IIe (1983), Apple Macintosh (1984) Car Phone and Mobile Phone (1970s-1980s) Atari 2600 (1977) – Pong! Asteroids! Pac Man! Chopper Command! Nintendo NES (1985)— Mario! Zelda!—and Gameboy (1989)—Tetris! The Internet (1995)

5. Generation X (1961-1981) Defining Movies – Star Wars IV: A New Hope (1977) – Star Wars V: The Empire Strikes Back (1980) – Star Wars VI: Return of the Jedi (1983) – Risky Business (1983) – Flashdance (1983) – 16 Candles (1984) – The Karate Kid (1984) – Ghostbusters (1984) – Back to the Future (1985) – The Breakfast Club (1985) – St. Elmo’s Fire (1985) – Pretty in Pink (1986) – Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (1986) – Stand By Me (1986) – Some Kind of Wonderful (1987) – Can’t Buy Me Love (1987) – The Lost Boys (1987) – Say Anything (1989)

7. Generation X (1961-1981) Defining Fashion Trends Gloves: Michael Jackson, sequins Gloves: Madonna, lacy with cut-off fingers Neon Crimping iron Blue eye shadow Rubber bracelets Jelly shoes and creepers Shoulder pads Pegged jeans Leg warmers Members Only jackets Stirrup pants Swatch watches Banana clips Breakdancing attire Mullet Flannel (grunge)

9. GEN X STEREOTYPES NEGATIVE STEREOTYPES LAZY BORED AIMLESS APATHETIC UNFOCUSED DISENGAGED COMMERCIAL SUCKERS FAILURE TO LAUNCH DISCONNECTED AND APOLITICAL CYNICAL POSITIVE STEREOTYPES ENTREPRENEURIAL SELF-RELIANT REJECTING OF STEREOTYPES INCLUSIVE AND TOLERANT LATE TO LAUNCH, BUT LAUNCHED THINKS GLOBALLY, ACTS LOCALLY SKEPTICAL, BUT NOT APATHETIC