Through The Years…

This has been a very strange time, duly noted because of Covid 19 and the resulting Pandemic year that we just endured. It has even altered the picture of America’s gathering of the Census. The first official report was not given and recorded until April. Other reports are scheduled for future dates.
A very interesting report of American Culture history began at the turn of the century.

1900-1910—The decade when the United States worked for progressive education for teachers and for testing. Annual Teacher’s pay: $325… End of decade, population of the 46 states: 76,000,000… Cars in use, 8,000… work week pay $12.98 for a 59 hr. week… Life expectancy for male 46 years; female 47 years

1910-1919—The decade when the United States became known as a world leader. Problems faced then were similar to problems faced today and the “war to end all wars, WW1” raged on. Average salary was $750 a year… population up to 92,407.000… Life expectancy for male, 48; female 51 years.

1920-1929—This decade was a period of marathons, games, flagpole sittings, jazz, and slang, dubbed the Roaring 20s. The first “Miss America” contest, won by a 16 year old, was held in Atlantic City. Average salary $1,326. Annually teachers salary $970… population 106,521,537… Life expectancy for male 53; female 54.

1930-1939—Following the great depression, money was scarce. People worked very hard to make a life for themselves and their families. Unemployment rose to 25 percent. Movies and parlor games were popular… Average salary $1.368… population 123,188,000 in 48 states… Life expectancy for male 58; female 61.

1940-1949—Dominated by WW2, Europeans fled from Hitler and the Holocaust to the United States, bringing new ideas created in disillusionment. For the first time, women were hired and became a work force to replace men who were now serving our country. Everything was rationed. Ideals were changed. More men got college educations under the GI Bill. The Cold War began. Average salary $1,299; for teachers $1,441… Population of the United states climbed to 132,122,000… Life expectancy for male 60; female 68.

1950-1959—Returning servicemen were reluctant to discuss war years. They renewed their lives with new industry, new jobs, new homes, new cars, and the Baby Boomers were born. Bomb shelters planned with a tinge of fear in a time of growth and joy. Labor force now 5 male/2 female. Average salary $2,992… Population 151,684,000… Life expectancy for males 65; females 71.

1960-1969—Memorable years of change, as the Cuban Missile Crisis indicates another World War coming. USSR and the United States consider launching nuclear attacks…. President John F.. Kennedy is assassinated…Civil Rights Leader Martin Luther King Jr. gives his famous, “I Have A Dream” speech… NASA’s Mariner 4 Space probe approaches Mars and takes images of the planet… the Vietnam War escalates and opposition begins to mount… Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin are first to arrive on the Moon in Apollo 11 mission… Woodstock festival held in New York… AARPANET (predecessor to the Internet) relays its first communication between UCLA and Stanford.

Many more years have passed from the time we first knew of the Internet. Our world has come to rely on the information prepared and served to the public for appreciation and for usage.

Space is wearing thin so, for now, have a look at the first current information available regarding the latest census information:

2010-2020—The 2020 Census shows that the resident population of the United States, including the 50 states and the District of Columbia, was 331,449,281 as of April 1, 2020, an increase of 7.4 percent since the 2010 Census.

Through the years, America’s population of proud new Americans has increased non-stop!

Kitty Maiden is a staff writer for Seniors Today.