America's population swelled with around 76 million births from 1946 to 1964, a spike magnified by couples reuniting after World War Two and enjoying postwar prosperity. Boomers were better educated and richer than previous generations, and they helped grow a consumer-driven economy. In their youth, they pushed for social change through the Civil Rights Movement, the women's rights movement and efforts to end the Vietnam War. "We had rock n' roll. We were the first generation to get out and demonstrate in the streets. We were the first generation, that was, you know, a socially conscious generation," said Diane West, a metro Atlanta resident who turns 80 in January. "Our parents played by the rules. We didn't necessarily play by the rules, and there were lots of us."