I think it's more accurate to categorize someone by the generation who raised them, than by what year they were born in, e.g., Gen-X are the kids of the Boomers, Gen-Y were raised by the older/bred early Gen-X, Millennials are largely the spawn of Gen-X. I think how you respond or react to the values that surrounded you as you grew up make more difference than what was on TV or who was president.
I've spent a few years teaching and managing Millennials. My impression is that they're largely smart, motivated and interested in everything, with a worldview of "get yours while you can because nothing's guaranteed". Considering they spent their childhood years watching their parents get downsized, screwed out of pensions and fired just before retirement, it's hard to argue with that. They want immediate feedback and reward because that's what they were raised with - and that made me think of the "Anna Granville" letter where she complains that no one listens to her ideas. Also thought of a scene from a "Mad Men" episode (albeit set in a different time period) where Peggy sniffles that Don (her boss) never says thank you or that she did a good job, and he snarls in exasperation, "That's what the money's for!"
They've spent their formative years being shielded from risk or consequences. I had so many students who simply could not understand the concept of "it doesn't matter what you want or deserve or dream of, here's what you're doing". They have a firmly entrenched idea that if you follow the requirements, you get what you ask for. And that if you screw up but can explain sufficiently why it wasn't your fault, then nothing bad or permanent will happen. That unless something is roped-off and locked and clearly labeled, it's not dangerous (because in their experience, all dangerous things are). That everyone has an agenda, and everyone lies/spins things for their own ends.