Those born in 1960 and 1961, have a major milestone they have reached or will reach soon. With some 78 million Americans born between the end of World War Two, 1945 and to the mid-1960s, the thought of turning age 50 or older is not as scary as it once appeared. Many Americans can now view age 50 as the ‘new’ age 35 to 40.
The population of the United States is approximately 309,980,360 as of August 2010. Compare that number with 1930, the U. S. population was approximately 123,188,000, or in 1950 when it was 152,271,000 or in 1960 with roughly 180,671,000 people. That includes those baby boomers now turning age 50 in 2010 or 2011. That works out to about 11,000 to 12,000 Americans or one every seven seconds, being 49 one day and then the next day, you’re 50!
Those born in the early sixties came into a time of renewed hope and adventure for the future. This was the election of President John F. Kennedy; a fresh, young president and First Family. It was a time of ideas and actions that would take mankind to outer space and to the moon.
As a child of the sixties you moved to being a teenager of the fun disco era of the 1970s. Social attitudes were changing. Young ladies could actually set their sights on occupations previously closed to women. The 1970s and 1980s offered a new world of electronics and those turning age 20 in 1980 really had all new fields available for them.
Those turning 50 have seen over the years a vast assortment of viewpoints, tragedies, accomplishments and celebrations. At age 50, you have made your mark on society somehow and still have an awesome amount of talent, skills and ideas to offer
Embrace and celebrate this half-century should be your goal. You have only just started to get your ‘second-wind’ and have so much more to offer the world, your community, your family and especially yourself.
To help celebrate this special age, here are some suggestions. If a party or get-together is planned; have the guests each bring 50 cents; either as pennies, nickels, dimes, two quarters or a 50-cent piece. The monies can be donated to the birthday person’s favorite charity.
The house or office can be decorated with 50 of anything. There can be 50 balloons, 50 signs wishing ‘happy birthday’, 50 photos from over the years of the birthday person, 50 stars, 50 images of celebrities who are age fifty or even 50 funny decorative items like ‘plastic pink flamingos.’ Use your imagination, anything goes.
Some great one-liners to remember about being turning 50:
I’m not 50, I’m 49.95, plus tax!
Happy 20th anniversary of your 30th Birthday!
You’re Classy and Sassy at 50.
At 50, I’m better than ever.
Forty is the old age of youth; fifty is the youth of old age.
Seen it all … done it all !
Oh, how nifty .. look who turned fifty!
Fifty Happens!
Age is a stage of mind and at 50 the stage is set for a great performance.
In spite of some quavering years everyone goes through, there are still some astonishing challenges ahead. Make the time to pursue hobbies and activities you have been putting off for years. There is never a set age where you can’t begin a new dream. For all who have or are about to reach their fifties, welcome and rejoice at turning 50.
These amazing individuals are outstanding in their field and happy to be fifty or turning fifty very soon.
Daryl Hannah – the actress
Carl Ripken Jr. – baseball player
Erin Brockovich – environmental activist
Antonio Banderas – the actor
Barack Obama – U.S. President
Jim Kelly – football player
Susan Boyle – singer
Deborah Roberts – news journalist
George Clooney – actor
Eddie Murphy – comic
Julian Moore – the actress
Davis Factor – photographer
Sean Hannity – political commentator
Hugh Grant – the actor
Bono – musician
Elena Kagan – Associate Justice on the U. S. Supreme Court
Mark Burnett – TV and film producer
Valeria Bertinelli – the actress
Enva – singer
Bonnie Hunt – comic
