The United States of America, the most populated country in the Western Hemisphere and the third most populated country in the world achieved this status through explosive population growth during the twentieth century. A significant moment in this growth was on February 5, 1969, when President Lyndon Johnson announced on national TV that America had reached a major population milestone of 200 million inhabitants, twice the country’s population at the start of the century.

When the Second World War ended, soldiers returned home from overseas with a desire for a peaceful life. They wanted nothing more than to settle down and raise families, and that’s just what they did, contributing to the historical context of the US population growth.

The resulting population explosion, while a cause for celebration for some, also brought a lot of worries. President Johnson’s announcement about India’s severe drought and famine sparked concerns that rapid population growth could lead to similar problems in America. The increased pollution that comes with a growing population was another worry, with fears that it could harm the environment. These concerns underline the seriousness of the issue, overshadowing the celebration of this population milestone.

Today, the US population stands at just over 340 million people, almost double that of Johnson’s announcement. While the country’s population growth hasn’t been as rapid as it was in the years after World War II, it is still increasing rapidly. So far, at least, there have been no droughts or famines. However, concerns about population growth still exist, keeping this issue in the public eye.