When does the "Golden Era" start and end for you?

[FedoraFan112390]

For me, the Golden Era starts around 1929 and ends around 1963 or 1964.

 

[Fitzcarraldo]

The end: the assasination of JFK.

 

[dhermann1]

For me, the Golden Era (which as we all know was not necessarily so golden for a lot of people who lived through it (but that's another conversation)), starts at 11:12 PM, Nov, 11, 1918, and ends at about 2:30 EST, November 22, 1963.

 

[LizzieMaine]

For me, it began on March 4th 1933, and ended on April 13, 1945. Not that there weren't things to be highly recommended before and after that span, but those twelve years encompassed the peak of American culture.

 

[Derek WC]

In my opinion it started somewhere around 1919 and ended somewhere around 1962.

 

[Yeps]

I won't make any judgments on a Golden Era, a term which I rather dislike, but my range of interest ranges primarily from the turn of the century through the 30s, with different times being important to me for different aspects of culture. 1900-1925 or so (whenever it was that microphones started being generally used) is an era of music I find particularly fascinating, as well as just enjoy listening to. I love the styles of the 20s and 30s (I rather like 40s style too, but I am not as interested). And naturally, everyone knows that Hollywood reached its peak in 1939.

 

[Yeps]

11:12 PM, Nov, 11, 1918

71 years and one day before my birth, to the minute. Rather random time. Why couldn't you just make it 11:12 11/12/19 to make it 70 years even?

 

[conrad5157]

Mine would start with The War of Independence but to be a little more in line with this thread, I would say McKinley through Kennedy.

 

[V.C. Brunswick]

My Golden Era is from about 1920 to 1935.

 

[The Good]

My 20th century interests mainly lie within the early to mid century, that being from roughly the World War I (or Great War if you prefer) period, through the actual "Golden Era" (1930s, 1940s), and up to the late 1960s, or early 1970s. Obviously, "Golden Era" hardly applies to the latter I've mentioned, as it had become quite distant by that point, but I'd like to consider a cut-off being 1967 (besides, it was in this year, basically, that you had what was essentially the last contemporary-set "hat and trench coat protagonist" film noir, that being Le Samourai, even if the character was already something of an anachronism). After that, traditional/classic aesthetics (mainly in fashion) were being largely replaced (by people in all walks of life) with some more mod, hippie, or "Peacock Revolution" sensibilities. Hats especially, were almost completely disregarded as daily wear by that point as well, except among enthusiasts or those favoring a more traditional style. These are just my opinions, based on observations; films, photographs, advertisements, and other media from these eras.

Maybe I'm being too broad, but I think there were certainly some Golden Era aesthetics present during the following Atomic Era, the '50s and '60s.

 

[Tomasso]

The period between the end of WWI and the beginning of WWII.

 

[Warbaby]

That would be my definition as well. There's just no way I can think of the 50s and 60s as Golden Era. To me, the 50s was an era of boring blandness, happy All-American families, and dreadful design. As for the 60s, well, considering my lifestyle at the time, I don't really remember it all that well, but I'm pretty sure it wasn't Golden.

I think that ultimately, one's definition of Golden Era depends on one's age. Golden Era is something that happened before you were born.

 

[sidonie]

The golden era the Pre-Raphaelites to the Pop Artists. Also it ended when people started not to care what they wore in the street. You don't see a decent hat and coat been worn anymore.

 

[rue]

For me, it's between 1920 and 1950, but I like some things before and after that period.

 

[lord_k]

My Golden Era starts in 1933, with A Century of Progress International Exposition in Chicago, and ends in summer 1948, with the blockade of Berlin.

 

[p71towny]

From about 1900- to the early 60's. After that, not so much. However, there are things I like to pull from all decades, just not too much past that point.

 

[dhermann1]

For me, it began on March 4th 1933, and ended on April 13, 1945. Not that there weren't things to be highly recommended before and after that span, but those twelve years encompassed the peak of American culture.

Hmmm . . . Somebody is a BIG Franklin Roosevelt fan, methinks. I was just at Hyde Park for the first time a few weeks ago. One thing I saw there that I didn't expect was a 1939 RCA TV, with the mirror view. It was apparently donated by General Sarnoff. I expect I'll be there again later this summer. Very cool.

 

[Mike in Seattle]

Personally, I would say beginning with the inauguration of Calvin Coolidge and ending with Eisenhower's inauguration (or as I prefer to think of it - Harry & Bess leaving the White House).

 

[Shangas]

It depends for me.

Anywhere from 1900 to November of 1918 for a start-date, and ending around 1950/1955.

 

[AtomicEraTom]

I think it depends on location. Middle America seemed to stay with the old days a bit longer than the coasts. I would consider the 'Leave it to Beaver' world to still be Golden Era and, in Milwaukee at least, things were pretty much as they were in the 50's until Father Groppe and the race riots in '68. Small towns, it held on even longer, still very prevalent into the late 70's. Heck, even in the 90's the golden era was hanging on by a thread with the old timers still smoking pipes and hand-rolled cigarettes and wearing fedoras. If I was going to pick an official cut off for me, personally, it would be the '68 riots.

I would say it began with the days of the Roaring 20's. Just my opinion, of course.