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The timeline

Every person on BriefPeople sits in exactly one era, assigned from their birth year — so the boundaries are mechanical and nobody is filed by argument.

–1699 Colonial era 7 1700–1779 Founding era 45 1780–1819 Early Republic 68 1820–1864 Antebellum & Civil War era 115 1865–1899 Industrial & Progressive era 124 1900–1929 Early 20th century 244 1930–1949 Mid-20th century 205 1950–1969 Late 20th century 113 1970–1999 Contemporary era 46 2000– Digital era

How the eras are drawn

–1699

Colonial era

Americans born before 1700 — settlement, the Puritan colonies and the first contact conflicts.

7 people →

1700–1779

Founding era

Born 1700-1779 — the Revolution, the Constitution and the first federal government.

45 people →

1780–1819

Early Republic

Born 1780-1819 — expansion west, the market revolution and the road to disunion.

68 people →

1820–1864

Antebellum & Civil War era

Born 1820-1864 — slavery, secession, war and Reconstruction.

115 people →

1865–1899

Industrial & Progressive era

Born 1865-1899 — industry, immigration, reform and the first American century.

124 people →

1900–1929

Early 20th century

Born 1900-1929 — depression, world war and the making of the superpower.

244 people →

1930–1949

Mid-20th century

Born 1930-1949 — the Cold War, civil rights and the postwar boom.

205 people →

1950–1969

Late 20th century

Born 1950-1969 — deindustrialization, the personal computer and the end of the Cold War.

113 people →

1970–1999

Contemporary era

Born 1970-1999 — the internet's arrival, globalization and the end of the Cold War order.

46 people →

2000–

Digital era

Born 2000 and after — social media, a post-9/11 country, and people still early in the story.

0 people →