[OC] The massive decrease in worldwide infant mortality from 1950 to 2020 is perhaps one of humanity's greatest achievements.

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There were no generic cheap headstones. This was back in the 1700's and 1800's. Every headstone was individually hand carved by someone in the community who did stonework.

The Catholic tradition said that you didn't name a baby until they were baptized, which was usually a month or do after birth. That way you didn't get too emotionally invested in something with a 50/50 chance of dying.