1920s timeline

The 1920s

  • Prohibition begins.

    Prohibition begins.
    Many women blamed a lot of society's problems on alcohol. People now in modern times believe that many social ills occured due to prohibition. It is also believed that the amount of organized crime climbed.
  • The 19th Amendment to the US Constitution is adopted.

    The 19th Amendment to the US Constitution is adopted.
    With the passage of the 19th amendment gender restrictions were removed. It brought much equality between men and women within the political system.
  • KDKA in Pittsburgh

    KDKA in Pittsburgh
    The KDKA station located in Pittsburgh was the first commercial radio station in the world. It was the start of many big radio stations being established.
  • Congress enacts Emergency Quota Act.

    Congress enacts Emergency Quota Act.
    The number of immigrants was reduced. They did that by not letting foreign people come into America. The only foreign people let into America were government officials.
  • The boll weevil ruins more than 85 percent of the South’s cotton crop.

    The boll weevil ruins more than 85 percent of the South’s cotton crop.
    The boll weevil was a beetle that destroyed the cotton in the South. It was considered one of the most harmful pests in the United States.
  • The stock market begins its spectacular rise.

    The stock market begins its spectacular rise.
    The rise of the stock market was identified as the Great Bull Market of 1924-1929. During this time, extreme optimism and high speculation led some investors to great profits. But it was then followed by a stock market crash and leading to what we know as The Great Depression.
  • National Origins Act replaces Emergency Quota Act.

    National Origins Act replaces Emergency Quota Act.
    It restricted immigration on the exisiting numbers of the population. The main goal was to maintain ethnic composition.
  • Scopes trial takes place in Dayton, Tenneesee.

    Scopes trial takes place in Dayton, Tenneesee.
    A high school science teacher was accused of illegally teaching the theory of evolution. John Scopes was unsure whether he taught evolution or not, but incriminated himself purposely so that the case could have a defendant.
  • Ku Klux Klan members stage a major march through Washington, DC.

    Ku Klux Klan members stage a major march through Washington, DC.
    The KKK was revived in 1925, it had the highest number of membership than ever before. This time they were not only against African- Americans, but also Roman Catholics, Jews, foreigners, and organized labor.
  • Langston Hughes publishes “The Weary Blues.”

    Langston Hughes publishes “The Weary Blues.”
    "The Weary Blues" was the first poem published in the Urban League magazine. It was also awarded best poem of the year by that magazine.
  • Charles Lindbergh flies across the Atlantic.

    Charles Lindbergh flies across the Atlantic.
    Flew nearly 3,600 miles in a single- seat, single- engine, on a nonstop flight. He was then awarded the nation's highest military decoration for his historic exploration.
  • Sacco and Vanzetti are executed.

    Sacco and Vanzetti are executed.
    They were immigrants convicted of murder, and were then executed in the electric chair. As it turned out, they were actually innocent and did not do what they were convicted of.
  • Herbert Hoover is elected US president.

    Herbert Hoover is elected US president.
    This election was the only election until 24 years later where a Republican won. In this election each candidate was discontent with their party membership, and neither had the full support of the party organization.