1920s Timeline Cole Smith

18th Amendment January 16, 1920 Prohibition was enacted. This bill prohibited the use, selling, making and transporting of alcoholic beverages. Many people began going to speakeasies to get their alcoholic beverages in secret. Law enforcement only stopped approximately 5% of illegal alcohol.

Women Get the Vote August 18, 1920 Women get the right to vote The 19th amendment was added to the constitution to allow women the right to vote. When the US was founded, the female citizens didn’t have the right to vote because they were mainly household figures. This was a huge step to a new century, women's suffrage paved the way for many more advances in society.

First Radio Broadcast (KDKA) November 2, 1920 the first radio broadcast. KDKA aired the very first radio broadcast across the country. The airing sparked the selling of radios all across the country. Families began gathering around the radio nightly to hear the shows and tune into their favorites.

Model T Costs $290.00 Mid 1920s Model T prices drop to $290 Due to Henry Ford’s assembly line, the price of the Model T dropped to prices most people could afford. Eventually, most families bought cars and roads were beginning to become more sophisticated. At this time there was no license requirement, so people of any age could drive the car.

Scopes Monkey Trial July 10, 1925 a teacher is accused of teaching evolution. John Scopes, a substitute teacher was accused of breaking Tennessee's Butler act. The Butler act states that it was illegal to teach evolution in the classroom. Scopes was found guilty and fined $100, but the case was overturned after a technicality.

New Music –Jazz 1925-1928 Louis Armstrong revolutionizes jazz music. He popularized improvisational solos. He was one of the most influential people in the jazz industry. He often played his trumpet and wowed the audiences with his skill.

Lindbergh’s Flight to Paris May 20, 1927 Charles Lindbergh took a transatlantic solo flight to Paris. Lindbergh hopped into the “spirit of St. Louis” and flew 33 hours to Paris. This gained support in the US for the commercial flight. This proved that passengers could be moved long distances by airplane.

Babe Ruth Hits 60 Home Runs September 30, 1927 Babe Ruth hits his 60th home run Babe Ruth made a record that would be uncontested for 34 years. He was extremely influential in his age and spurred the love for baseball. They filmed his 60th home run and you can watch the video today.

St. Valentines Day Massacre February 14, 1929 during the prohibition, 7 members of the Irish North Side Gang were killed. Al “Scarface” Capone sent men in police uniforms to kill seven men of his rival gang during a meeting. This was a key part of his rising to power, as he needed Bugs Moran’s gang in shambles. But Bugs slept in and was late to the meeting, he was their main target.

Harlem Renaissance 1920-1930 750,000 African Americans left the south and moved north to industrial cities. With the loss of people in jobs due to world war I, many African Americans moved north to take up factory jobs. Since a lot of the work force had left for the war, jobs needed tending to because of the lack of man power. During this time African American culture flourished and was a prosperous time.