10 Fascinating Facts About the 1920s

The Roaring 20s and the Jazz Age: The 1920s, often referred to as the ‘Roaring 20s’ and the ‘Jazz Age’, was a time of significant societal revolution. The term ‘Jazz Age’ was popularized by Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald, best known for his novels portraying the flashiness and sensibility of the 1920s.

Prohibition Era: The 1920s was a time of strong anti-alcohol movements. Prohibition went into effect about a hundred years ago, leading to the rise of speakeasies, which strongly impacted American culture and society.

Ford’s Impact: Ford made a huge impact late in the decade. The Model T vehicle by the Ford Motor Company, sold until 1927, pretty much defined the 1920s. The affordable car helped rural Americans connect to other parts of the country.

Fashion Revolution: The world of fashion was dominated by luxe fabrics, flapper girl silhouettes, and the art-deco style. Fashion was characterized by loose fabrics, fringe, and glamorous details.

Women’s Rights Movement: The 1920s saw significant improvements in women’s rights. In the US, the 19th Amendment was ratified, officially giving American women the right to vote.

The Great Crash of 1929: The end of the 1920s saw one of the most significant economic downturns in history. The Wall Street Crash, also known as Black Tuesday, saw the collapse of share prices on the New York Stock Exchange.

Birth of Jazz: One of the best musical fun facts about the 20s is that this decade was also known as the “Age of Jazz.” The pioneer of the new style of music was Louis Armstrong.

F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Success: In the 1920s, the American author F. Scott Fitzgerald rose to prominence with a string of successful novels. But none has proven to be more enduring, or endearing, than The Great Gatsby.

Expensive Long-Distance Calls: Long-distance phone calls were expensive. A ten-minute cross-country call in 1927 cost $27.75. That’s about $426 today!

Candy Inventions: Some of today’s favorite candies were invented in the 1920s: gummy bears, Baby Ruth bars, Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, Oh Henry Bars, Double Bubble bubble gum, and Charleston Chew bars.