Notable items from History in the time leading up to and including 1925:
1919
- Treaty of Versailles signed (June): Officially ends World War I.
- League of Nations formed, though the U.S. never joins.
- Red Scare in the U.S.: Fear of communism sparks arrests and deportations.
- Prohibition begins (18th Amendment ratified): Bans alcohol production and sale.
1920
- Women gain the right to vote (19th Amendment).
- Prohibition goes into effect (Volstead Act).
- Radio broadcasting begins in the U.S. (KDKA in Pittsburgh).
- Warren G. Harding elected President (promises “Return to Normalcy”).
1921
- Emergency Quota Act limits immigration into the U.S.
- Tulsa Race Massacre: A violent attack on the Black community in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
- First Miss America Pageant held in Atlantic City.
1922
- Teapot Dome Scandal begins to surface—major U.S. political corruption case.
- Reader’s Digest founded.
- Benito Mussolini rises to power in Italy, beginning fascist rule.
1923
- President Harding dies; Calvin Coolidge becomes president.
- Hyperinflation in Germany destabilizes the Weimar Republic.
- Hollywood sign erected (originally read “Hollywoodland”).
1924
- Immigration Act of 1924 severely limits immigrants from Southern and Eastern Europe and bars Asians.
- J. Edgar Hoover becomes head of the FBI.
- Calvin Coolidge elected to full term.
1925
- Scopes “Monkey” Trial: A Tennessee teacher is tried for teaching evolution, sparking national debate.
- F. Scott Fitzgerald’s The Great Gatsby published.
- Florida Land Boom reaches its height.
- First motel opens in California (the Milestone Mo-Tel).
Quote of the Week: I declare to you that woman must not depend upon the protection of man, but must be taught to protect herself, and there I take my stand.
Susan B. Anthony (1820-1906) A prominent figure in the American women’s suffrage movement and a social reformer.
