The 21st Show

Growing Up Gen X

 
A player finished a Rubik's Magic Cube at the international game fair 'SPIEL' in Essen, Germany, Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017. Around 1100 exhibitors from around 50 nations attend the annual four-day game fair.

A player finished a Rubik's Magic Cube at the international game fair 'SPIEL' in Essen, Germany, Thursday, Oct. 26, 2017. Around 1100 exhibitors from around 50 nations attend the annual four-day game fair. AP Photo/Martin Meissner

The AIDS Crisis, John Hughes, the War on Drugs, Barbies, "Just Say No," Madonna, Reaganomics, "The Cosby Show"...  It might sound a bit like a familiar Billy Joel song, but these were all cultural touchstones for lots of people who were born between 1965 and 1980: Generation X. They're sometimes known as the "Forgotten Generation," but the Illinois State Museum is planning to give Gen X their day in the sun with an exhibit that opens this fall. 

The 21st was joined by the museum's curator of history to talk about growing up in the '70s, '80s and '90s, designing the exhibit, and more.

GUEST: 

Erika Holst

Curator of History, Illinois State Museum Springfield Campus

 

 

Prepared for web by Owen Henderson

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