Life Timeline

For those born July 13, 1940.

Not your birthday? Find your timeline here.

1939
Before you were born

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

In June 2012, Brian Resnick wrote about University of Maryland's Colin Gore and the test flight of his human-powered helicopter.

1940
Beginnings

Around the time you were born, the Battle of Britain began.

In July 2011, Alan Taylor published a photo essay on the Battle of Britain.

1940
Year 85

You were born in July of 1940. This year, The Atlantic celebrates its 160th birthday, making it 2.0 times as old as you.

The year you were born, Arnold Whitridge wrote about the college undergraduates that petitioned the President not to intervene in Europe during World War II.

1958
Coming of age

Around your 18th birthday, Charles de Gaulle came out of retirement to become prime minister and was given emergency powers to rule France.

In November 1960, Curtis Cate wrote about Charles de Gaulle's career and reputation as France's president.

1969

NASA

Man on the Moon

At 29 years old, you were alive to behold people walking on the moon.

Over the years, the moon landing has come to be lauded as the pinnacle of human achievement, although it was often derided at the time. In 1963, NASA astronauts took to The Atlantic to plead the case for landing on the moon.

1978
Half a life ago

Your life can be divided into two halves: before and after "test-tube babies."

In October 2010, Cristine Russell wrote about the practice of in vitro fertilization (IVF) becoming more common.

2007

Larry Downing / Reuters

Contemporaries

In 2007, Nancy Pelosi, who was born the same year as you, became the first woman in American history to serve as the Speaker of the House of Representatives.

In September 2015, Andy Kroll wrote about Pelosi's unflagging enthusiasm for political work, and the consequences of her stamina—for her, and for the Democratic Party.

2007

NASA / JPL-Caltech / Space Science Institute

Across the Universe

When you turned 66, you watched humankind reach the outer solar system.

With NASA's Cassini-Huygens mission in 2005, humans landed a probe in the outer reaches of the solar system for the first time, a moment Ross Andersen called the most glorious mission in the history of planetary science.

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: