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Formation of the FBI (July 1, 1908, restructured in 1924)
Although established earlier, the FBI evolved during the 1920s into a more powerful agency focused on enforcing Prohibition laws, particularly under J. Edgar Hoover. -
18th Amendment was ratified
Prohibition officially began with ratifying the 18th Amendment, which prohibited the manufacture, sale, and transportation of alcoholic beverages. -
Volstead Act
This act provided for the enforcement of Prohibition, defining what constituted "intoxicating liquors" and outlining the legal framework for enforcement. -
Rise of Speakeasies
With legal alcohol banned, underground bars known as speakeasies emerged, becoming popular social hubs where people could drink illicitly. -
Prohibition Begins
The 18th Amendment came into effect, leading to the nationwide prohibition of alcohol. -
The Scopes "Monkey" Trial (July 10-21)
This trial in Tennessee highlighted the cultural clash between science and religion, reflecting the broader social tensions of the era. -
The Jazz Age
This period saw the rise in popularity of jazz music, fostering a cultural revolution that included figures like Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington -
St. Valentine's Day Massacre
This infamous gangland killing in Chicago, involving the Capone gang, highlighted the violent crime associated with illegal alcohol distribution during Prohibition. -
The Stock Market Crash
While technically at the end of the decade, the crash marked the beginning of the Great Depression, which was influenced by the economic conditions of the 1920s. -
Repeal of Prohibition
Although this event technically falls outside the 1920s, it marked the end of the 13 years of Prohibition, demonstrating the public's disillusionment with the law.