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Henry Ford Develops the First Assembly Line
Henry Ford established the first assembly line in hopes of being able to produce more automobiles in less time. The assembly line was established on this date and became very successful. Still in use today, the assembly line has helped many manufacturers and industries produce much more and become very successful. -
Automobiles are Introduced Majorly in America
Although automobiles were a fancy convenience, they weren't fully introduced to America until this date. Henry Ford was a major part of the automobile's success, such was his Model T Ford. Automobiles provided faster transportation for Americans and allowed them to travel farther and improve their lives. -
The Combine Helps Make Farming Easier
Around this time, the combine machine was created to allow yet another modern convenience for farmers in the early 20th century to make farming easier. This invention enabled farmers to do more than one task at a time while working in the fields. Later, during the 1920's and beyond, the combine was upgraded from being pulled by horses to working by steam and automation. This invention gave farmers the ability to turn up soil and plow at the same time. -
Women Enter the Workforce as America Enters World War I
As early as this date, women began to establish a new role in American society. As men went away to war, women began to take over their positions in the workforce. Before this, women had spent much of their time as housewives, and this was a diferent experience for them. By entering the workforce, women began a new chapter in American society. -
Tractors Become an Important Part of American Agriculture
By this date, tractors were becoming very influential and useful in agricultural advances and communities. The tractor enabled farmers to get much more work done as opposed to manually doing the work with a plow. Farmers were able to produce more in less time and the tractors allowed them to do more work without getting exhausted. -
The Harlem Renaissance Begins
Around this date, The Harlem Renaissance is believed to have begun. The Harlem Renaissance brought many changes to the roles of African Americans in American culture. Through the flourishing of African culture, it became apparent of the African Americans' abilities to write poetry and stories. Among these were Zora Hurston and Langston Hughes. These authors and many more expressed the daily difficulties and joys of being African through their writing. -
Palmer Raids
The Palmer Raids were a series of controveresies that were led by the U.S. Department of Justice, beginning in 1919. These raids were named for Alexander Mitchell Palmer (left)who was the U.S. Attorney General. Palmer used these raids to attack radicals, and he arrested many, even those who were never under suspicion of staging a revolt. Non-radicals favored the Raids until many revolts Palmer claimed would happen never occurred. Non-radicals claimed that their basic liberties had been violated. -
Asians and Other Races are Denied Many Rights
Around this year, many Asians and other immigrants who came to America began to be secluded and rejected by the United States government. The people of America felt that their jobs were being threatened by these immigrants who would be willing to work for nearly no money. Many immigrants, particularly Asians, were often held in camps such as Angel Island, where they often lived in poor conditions and disease often ran rampid. Immigrants were usually not accepted very well into American society. -
Prohibition Begins
Prohibition, a period which was also referred to as the Noble Experiment, began in 1913. Prohibition outlawed the sale manufacturing, and transportation of alcohol. This was supported by the ratification of the Eighteenth Amendment. -
The Palmer Raids Come to an End
A Court Judge ruled that the U.S. Department of Justice had no justification for their actions and ended the Palmer Raids on this day. However, after this was put into effect, many radicals continued to cause chaos across America. -
Women are Granted the Right to Vote
On this day, the U.S. government ratified the Nineteenth Amendment which granted all women in the United States the right to vote. This change brought a new role to the lives of American women, and after years of fighting for it, women were finally granted their wish. -
Wall Street is Attacked by Anarchists
Anarchists attacked the streets outside Wall Street on this day by planiting over 100 pounds of dynamite and 500 pounds of sash weights on a horse-drawn carriage. Over 38 people were killed and several others injured in the attack. The terrorists responsible have never been found, but a few different groups have been suspected, especially the Galleanists, or followers of Italian anarchist Luigi Galleani. -
The Refrigerator is Invented
Although the concept originated some years before by Carl von Linde, the modern type of refrigerator was modified and introduced around this date by Baltzar von Platen and Carl Munters. The refrigerators finally had a system installed on them that enable them to stay cooler longer. This way, Americans were and still are able to keep food fresher for a longer period of time. -
The KKK Builds its Influence Through Small Governments
The KKK was also able to build momentum as some of their members were able to be elected to government positions such as governors and even jurors. With the support of some officials who were on their side, such as Democratic Governor Walter M. Pierce (left), the KKK was able to achieve many of its goals. This began around this date. -
The National Origins Act of 1924
This law put a limit on how many immigrants from each country, particularly China and Europe, could enter America. It was a branch of the Immigration Act of 1924, and this law said immigrants had to meet certain requirements in order to enter the country. -
Duke Ellington Becomes a Strong Influence in Jazz
Duke Ellington, although he had been involved in music for some years, officially began his Jazz career around this time when he became the leader of different Jazz groups and bands in the Harlem area. This event helped the development of blacks in society, especially when most of the audience members at black performances were whites. Duke Ellington definitely helped blacks become more widely known throughout the country and officially changed the roles of blacks in society. -
The Immigration Quota Law is Passed
Americans were happy that their nation was growing, but many began to feel threatened as more and more immigrants came into the country. They felt their jobs and welfare were threatened, so they pleaded to the U.S. Government to do something about it. One of the restrictions placed on the Immigrants was the Immigration Quota Law, which was passed on this date. It restricted and limited immigrants from entering the country without the proper visa and records. -
The Ku Klux Klan (KKK) Revitalizes Itself
Around this time, the KKK managed to find a way to bring itself back into American culture. They continued to promote hatred against immigrants and African Americans, and soon almost the entire country hated the organization. Through the years, the Klan would find ways to spread terror and mayhem throughout the country, particularly in the South. -
The Scopes Trial
The Scopes Trial, which accused John T. Scopes (left) of contradicting the Bible and teaching Evolution in his high school science classes, was taken to court on July 10, 1925, under the idea that the Bible had all the answers anyone needed and that Evolution should not be taught to children. The courts decided on this day that Scopes was guilty and fines him over $100. -
Vanzetti and Sacco are Executed
Bartolomeo Vanzetti and Nicola Sacco were two Italian immigrants and anarchists accused of commiting an armed robbery on a shoe factory. Although controversy still arises over their possible innocence, the two were executed on this day by way of electrocution. -
Prohibition ends
Prohibition was overturned in 1933 after the Twenty-First Amendment was ratified. This Amendment declared that alcohol would be allowed only to the extent that it wasn't being consumed excessively. -
The Harlem Renaissance is Believed to Have Come to an End
It was sometime around this date that historians believe that the Harlem Renaissance came to an end. The Harlem Renaissance left a lasting impact on America and forever changed the role that African Americans would play in American society, in music, art, and much more such as politics, like the election of the nation's first black President, Barack Obama. -
The First Broadcast of Color Television is Shown
Although this idea and concept was originated in 1927 by John L. Baird, color television didn't actually make its debut until this day in 1938. Millions around the world were finally able to see events and their favorite shows in full color. Color television was just one of many new and modern conveniences developed in this era.
