1920s Day
Whether or not you
# FACTS about this decade.
106,521,537 people in the
dress for 1920s day,
United States
# 2,132,000 unemployed, Unemployment 5.2%
everybody is responsible
# Life expectancy: Male 53.6,
Female 54.6
for getting involved in
# 343.000 in military (down from 1,172,601 in 1919)
the spirit and
# Average annual earnings $1236; Teacher's salary $970
# Dow Jones High 100 Low 67
atmosphere of the
# Illiteracy rate reached a new low of 6% of the population.
1920s. Class members
# Gangland crime included murder, swindles, racketeering
will be expected to wear,
# It took 13 days to reach California from New York There
were 387,000 miles of paved road.
make, or bring items
that might have been
around during the 1920s. Food from the period is particularly welcome. Start your research by
looking at these websites: http://kclibrary.nhmccd.edu/decade20.html
http://mcgee.berlinschools.org/Library/socstudies/1920.htm and get ready to
have fun.
DRESS:
Those of you who wish to dress for 1920s day will earn up to 15 extra credit points
(depending on your outfit). Dress suggestions are as follows:
•Females: 'Typical' 1920s dress included a short skirt was popular by 1925. This
period was called the Flapper Age. No bosom, no waistline, and hair nearly hidden
under a cloche hat. This decade began the present hey-dey for the manufacturing
of cosmetics. Powder, lipstick, rouge, eyebrow pencil, eye shadow, colored nails.
They had it all! AND pearls.
•Males: Men: “Clothing for men became a bit more conservative in the 1920s.
Trousers widened to as wide as 24 inches at the bottomes. Knickers grew in width
and length and were called 'plus fours'. White linen was popular during the summer.
And during the winter, an outstanding American coat was popular - the racoon coat.
These were very popular with the college men. The slouch hat was made of felt and
could be rolled up and packed into a suitcase.”
• Be a person from the 1920s era, Charles Lindberg, Harry Houdini, Amelia Earhart, Al Capone
FOOD:
Cook some or pick some up for class. The 1920s America was an interesting period for food. It was
the time of Prohibition (no alcohol & many speakeasies), exotic culinary experimentation (Chinese food
was popular), opulent wealth (Delmonicos & 21), extreme poverty (tenement kitchens), social nutrition
movements (home economics & Ladies Aid Organizations) and vegetarian alternatives (Dr. George
Washington Carver was creating recipes for mock chicken made from peanuts).
Ideas to bring: PB&Js and check the food timelines http://asiarecipe.com/foodline.html &
http://www.geocities.com/foodedge/timeline.htm
MEMORABILIA:
Any items that would recognizably be from the 1920s may be brought to class.
The teacher will try to add to the entertainment and learning experience with videos and discussions
about the era.
ACTIVITIES and GAMES:
Dancing: The 20s are famous for the Dance crazes included the Charleston, the
Black Bottom, and the Shimmy and dance marathons by the young. Their parents
just couldn’t understand them. See a young flappers explanation to her parents
http://www.geocities.com/flapper_culture/appeal.html Baseball was king and
mah-jang (http://www.tradgames.org.uk/games/Mah-Jong.htm) , ouija boards,
crossword puzzles. yo-yo's, goldfish eating, pogo sticks, and roller-skating were
also popular.
MUSIC:
The 1920s was the radio age with jazz (or “the devil’s music” originating in Harlem), the Blues (with
the beautiful voice of Bessie Smith), and sentimental ballads hit the top of the charts. It was also
the start of national radio and the radio operas such as the Shadow by the end of the decade. Listen
to some 1920s hits at http://www.live365.com/stations/291071 while preparing for class to get in the
mood. Also, if you wish to get in the spirit by playing some 20s music in class you will get some
additional extra credit.
LANGUAGE:
Students should try and use 1920s slang when appropriate during the day. See:
http://local.aaca.org/bntc/slang/slang.htm or
http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/Lane/6341/History/slang.html for some ideas.