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Birth of Aaron Douglas
Aaron douglas was one of the very first artists to exemplify modernism in his paintings. In the Painting to the left, for example, Douglas used purple and bright colors, something that was very uncommon before his time. -
Birth of Countee Cullen
Cullen wrote many poems depicting the social movements of the Harlem Renaissance. They focused on freedom, pride, and tried to focus his poems on all races, not just African Americans.
General video on Countee Cullen's life and a few poems -
Birth of Charles Alston
Charles Alston was a Harlem Renaissance artist who was one of the earlyist artists to use an abstract expressonist painting style. The modernism movement's sense of artistic freedom made it acceptable to go against the classical way of painting. -
Birth of Cab Calloway
Cab Calloway was an very infuential figure in jazz and especially big band groups. He toured the country with his band as a singer. He would also regularly perform at The Cotton Club (its own event on the timeline), a jazz club in Harlem, NY.
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Founding of the NAACP
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People was founded in 1909 and symbolized how modernism made it socially acceptable to stand up for what you beleive in. -
African Americans Begin to Migrate North
This time has also be called the great migration. Millions of African Americans moved north to cities to seek better jobs and a better life in general. This is the root of the Harlem Renaissance. -
Birth of Ella Fitzgerald
Often called "the queen of jazz" Ella Fitzgerald is another Jazz artist who was born in and was influenced by the Harlem Renaissance. She was incredibly successful in the 1930's all the way up to her death. -
Harlem Renaissance
A cultural movement involving music, art, and literature. The Harlem Renaissance had been beginning for some time but it began to move full swing in around 1919. During this time, the cultural movement involving music, art, and literature was occuring in many cities across the US.
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmJNAEllpYQ -
Langston Hughes Begins Success in Writing
Langston Hughes is regarded as one of the best poets of all time. His poems captured the energy of the Harlem Renaissance and was a major figure in literary advancements during the Harlem Renaissance.
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Opening of The Cotton Club
The Cotton Club was a jazz club in the heart of Harlem which hosted names such as Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, Ella Fitzgerald, Louis Armstrong and many many others. This was an artistic hot point in New York along with the Apollo Theatre. -
Louis Armstrong Begins Success
Louis Armstrong is regarded as one of the most influencial music artists of all time. He brought jazz into mainstream music and pioneered the shift of music during the Harlem Renaissance.
Video of Louis Armstrong
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Birth of Miles Davis
Miles Davis is considered to be one of the most influentail musicians ever in the 20th century, regardless of genre. Growing up in the height of the Harlem Renaissance, Miles Davis Took influence from many of the blues and jazz musicians before him.
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Great Depression
Biggest economic crash in history occurs, during the height of the modernism era. I use this event as a reference point of when the economy crashed in the modernism era. -
Apollo Theater in NYC Open to Black Guests
After The Apollo Theater opened up to black guests, the theater hosted countless performers, musical and non musical. The venue featured plays as well as concerts in the Harlem Community. It was an artistic center point in Northern Manhattan along with The Cotton Club. -
James Lawrence Begins his success in Art
James Lawerence came about at the tail end of the Harlem Renaissance. He began painting more abstract art as time went on. He also took influence from past painters like Charles Alston
