Broke through: historical images of the baby boom in the USA

Since the end of World War II, birth rates have risen sharply in the United States and other Western countries. Between 1945 and 1955, the number of children born per year increased to 4,104 thousand, compared to 2,259 thousand in previous years. No one was surprised if there were four or five children in a family - this became the norm. The demographic leap went down in history and was called the baby boom.

This situation was due to the fact that most marriages or pregnancies during the war were postponed until a more comfortable period. Due to the end of hostilities and a comparative improvement in the economic situation, young people were not afraid to start families and have children.

In the United States, approximately 79 million babies were born during the baby boom. Currently, the oldest generation of baby boomers is about 80 years old. They all grew up during Woodstock, the Vietnam War, and witnessed President Kennedy.

January 1, 1946. The first babies of the new year in the maternity hospital.

1950 Children's show participants.

May 16, 1946. Overcrowded Washington orphanage.

March 15, 1946. Mothers change their children's diapers in New York.

January 1, 1946. Nurses with newborns.

March 1955. Finslater triplets.

January 31, 1953. Brighton Bourne, 27, is the mother of triplets and twins. In turn, Brighton's mother had a total of 22 children, including one triplets and four twins.

1952 Crowded school yard. The consequences of the baby boom are becoming clear.

1952 Crowded school canteen.

1948 Orphans in the orphanage.

December 1, 1947.

January 25, 1945. Nurse in the maternity hospital.

March 1947. Prisoner mothers bathe their children at Holloway Prison. Infants remained with their parents until 9 months of age.