-
Jeannette Rankin is Elected
Jeannette Rankin is elected to the House of Representatives, becoming the first female in congress. This event is a prime example of women becoming more involved in society. This event is strange because it came at a time when women did not even have the right to vote yet. -
Prohibition goes into Effect
Prohibition, which bans the manufacture, transportation, or sale of alcohol, goes into effect. The event is important because it demonstrates a conservative idea of the 20's. Although prohibition attempts to bring morality back to the people, it essentially produces the opposite effect. People become more willing to break the law, and terms such as bootlegger, rumrunner, and speakeasy are created. Even many normal, law-abiding citizens seemed to not take this law seriously. -
19th Amendment is Ratified
The 19th amendment, which gives women the right to vote, is ratified. This amendment is important because it gives women a more vital role in society. It is not mere coincidence that prohibition and women's voting amendments come back to back. At this time, women are flooding into the workforce. -
First Radio Broadcast
On August 31, 1920, the first commercial radio broadcast was aired by a station in Detroit. This marks the beginning of the use of the radio for rapid mass communication. About a decade later, during the FDR administration, presidents begin to use the radio as a way to communicate with the people. -
Tulsa and Rosewood Massacres
Between 1921 and 1923, the Tulsa and Rosewood race riots take place in Tulsa, Oklahoma and Rosewood, Florida. Many houses were burned and many people were killed during these conflicts. These events are important because they demonstrate how high racial tensions were between blacks and whites at this time. -
Teapot Dome Scandal
During 1922, Secretary of the Interior Albert Fall leased oil fields at Teapot Dome and Elk Hills without competitive bidding. It was later discovered that Fall had taken bribes in many different forms for the leases. Fall became the first cabinet member to go to jail. This was one of the first major scandals involving political corruption. -
Warren G Harding Dies
As the result of a heart attack, Warren G. Harding dies. It was said that Harding “may have been the laziest man ever elected president.” Harding’s much more conservative running mate, Coolidge, takes over the presidency after his death. It is important to know that Harding’s administration was riddled with scandals, such as the Teapot Dome scandal and the Veterans Administration scandal. -
First Winter Olympics
Between January 25 and February 5, 1924, the first winter olympic games were held in Chamonix, France. 258 athletes participated from 16 nations. This event marks the beginning of a major sporting event that still takes place once every four years. -
The Great Gatsby is Published
Written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, The Great Gatsby is published. The main character of the novel, Jay Gatsby, becomes the representative character of the decade. While the novel does not come right out and say it, it is infered that Jay Gatsby is a bootlegger. This novel also demonstrates the wild and extravagant side of people during this era. -
Scopes is Found Guilty
As a result of violating the Butler Act, which made it illegal to teach any theory of our existence other than that of Divine Creation, John T. Scopes is found guility. He was defended by Clarence Darrow, whose goal was not to win the trial, but to appeal the case to higher levels of court in order to eventually overturn the Butler Act. This trial is a perfect example of liberal vs. conservative or traditionalism vs. modernism. -
Lindbergh Completes First Nonstop Solo Transatlantic Flight
Traveling from New York to Paris in his plane, The Spirit of St. Louis, Charles Lindbergh becomes the first aviator to complete a nonstop solo transatlantic flight. For doing this, he won the Orteig Prize and a $25,000 reward. This is important because it inspires further improvents to and interests in the aviation industry. Tradgedy later befell this celebrity when his son was kidnapped and murdered. -
Sacco and Vanzetti Are Executed
Charged with murder during an armed robbery, Sacco and Vanzetti are executed. This event is important because it demonstrates the severity of racial tensions at this time. It was never proved that these men were even guilty, but just because they were Italian, people had their mind set on convicting them. The judge in the trial referred to them as "anarchist bastards." -
The Jazz Singer Premieres
The Jazz Singer, the first talkie (talking movie) premieres. Telling the story of an entertainer, the talkie was very popular at this time. The movie won one academy award, and was nominated for two others. The Jazz Singer was standout in both entertainment and innovations in technology when it was released. -
St. Valentine's Day Massacre
On February 14, 1929, seven people, including six members of Bugs Moran's north side gang are lined of inside of a garage and shot to death, possibly by people hired by Al Capone. Two of the shooters were dressed as Chicago police officers. This event is important because it is a major example of crime, which was at a high during the decade. -
Stock Market Crash
Known as Black Tuesday, October 29, 1929 is the day when 16 million shares were sold in a panic, causing the stock market to officially crash. This event marks a major "symptom" of the Great Depression and the poor economy of the country at the time. The panic was started when European investors began removing some of their assets from the market, forcing American brokers to call upon investors to pay off some of their debts. The only way many people could do this was to sell off other stocks.