Graduating from high school in 1964 was much different than the post-graduation world today's students face, Nigh says. "Of course Vietnam was active at the time," he remembers. "You either went to college or you went in the service ... or you got drafted. Those were pretty much the only options you had."
Now and then
This year the youngest baby boomers will reach their sixth decade. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that, in 2006, 7,918 people will turn 60 each day.
The first year of the baby boom included the births of presidents George W. Bush and Bill Clinton and celebrities such as Cher, Donald Trump, Sylvester Stallone and Dolly Parton.
James and Mary were the most popular baby names for children born in 1946. In 2004, the names Jacob and Emily were the most common names given to babies.
