Born 1938

Your life in history

Every milestone of your life happened in a historical year. Here they are, side by side.

1. 1938

   You were born

2. 1943

   You turned 5

   The Dambusters Raid — On the night of 16–17 May 1943, RAF Lancasters used bouncing bombs to attack German dams in the Ruhr valley.

3. 1948

   You turned 10

4. 1951

   You turned 13

5. 1954

   You turned 16

6. 1956

   You turned 18

7. 1959

   You turned 21

8. 1968

   You turned 30

9. 1978

   You turned 40

10. 1988

    You turned 50

11. 1998

    You turned 60

    Google was founded — Larry Page and Sergey Brin registered their company in September 1998. The internet changed forever.

12. 2008

    You turned 70

13. 2018

    You turned 80

Historical notes appear for years we've filled in so far — more are being added all the time.

Keep exploring

• See the world you were born into →

  The full picture for 1938 — music, movies, technology and more.

• What was the world like when you turned 18? →

  The year 1956, through fresh eyes.

• Things that are younger than you →

  From the NHS to the iPhone — how much arrived after you did?

• Compare 1938 with 1998 →

  Two birth years, side by side. Try it with family.