Life Timeline

For those born March 12, 1988.

Not your birthday? Find your timeline here.

1987
Before you were born

You're one of the first people who's never lived in a world without The Simpsons.

In February 2012, Hampton Stevens wrote about what The Simpsons had left to say after airing its 500th episode.

1988
Beginnings

Around the time you were born, the U.S. Supreme Court sided with Hustler magazine and overturned a settlement awarded to Jerry Falwell.

On March 14, 2011, Garrett Epps wrote that the new court should at least protect speech.

1988
Year 35

You were born in March of 1988. This year, The Atlantic celebrates its 160th birthday, making it 5 times as old as you.

The year you were born, Arianna Huffington wrote about the life and legacy of artist Pablo Picasso.

2001

Everett Collection

The teenage years

This is what Hollywood thought teenagers looked like the year you became one.

Donnie Darko was released in 2001.

2001

Jason Redmond / AP

The 9/11 Attacks

At 13 years old, you were part of the generation most shaped by 9/11.

The conflicts and displacements touched off around the world by the attacks have been reverberating for the majority of your life. “This ‘war’ [on terrorism] will never be over,” wrote James Fallows, a few years after the towers fell.

2002
Half a life ago

Your life can be divided into two halves: before and after American Idol.

In May 2015, Spencer Kornhaber wrote about how the show changed the music industry over time.

2006
Coming of age

Around your 18th birthday, Twitter was founded.

In August 2015, Kalev H. Leetaru considered whether Twitter was living up to its lofty aspirations.

2010

Goran Tomasevic / Reuters

The Arab Spring

When you turned 22, you witnessed the revolutionary fervor that transformed the Arab world in 2010, a movement led by your generation.

When 26-year-old Mohamed Bouazizi set himself on fire, he ignited a tinderbox of protests that continue to roil the Middle East, and kindled the beginnings of democracy in Tunisia.

2016

Kyle Terada / USA TODAY Sports / Reuters

Contemporaries

In 2016, Stephen Curry, who was born the same year as you, was named the first unanimous MVP in NBA history before leading the Golden State Warriors to the finals for the second year in a row.

In February 2016, Robert O'Connell wrote about why the NBA loves and fears Curry.

2050
Forecasts

By the time you turn 61, economist Jim O'Neill predicts that drug-resistant infections will kill one person every three seconds.

But it's possible to prevent that. In May 2016, Ed Yong wrote about the recommended steps to avert a post-antibiotic apocalypse.

Today
History in the making

History is happening all around you, every day.

The Atlantic is here to help you process it, in stories like these: