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19th Amendment Ratified
Women were finally granted the right to vote with the Nineteenth Amendment being ratified. No one could be denied the right to vote based on their gender. -
Hybrid Corn Available to Farmers
Following advances in genetic research, hybrid corn would be invented in 1917. It wouldn't be available to farmers for another 4 years. The hybrid corn did not take over in the 1920s, but in later decades it had a profound impact on the agricultural economy. -
First Charlie Chaplin Film Released
Charlie Chaplin, who would eventually grow into one of the most well known filmmakers of all time, released his first film, The Kid. This film became the second highest grossing film of the year, shaping Chaplin's career into having a major impact on the entertainment industry during the Roaring Twenties. -
Emergency Quota Act Takes Effect
Established the first numerical limits on the immigrants that could enter the United States. Restricted the number of immigrants to 357,000 immigrants per year and set a quota for percentages of ethnic groups already in the United States. -
Budget and Accounting Act of 1921 Enacted
This act established the Bureau of the Budget, which would set restrictions on the spending of government funds for the first time in U.S. history. This Bureau tells Congress what it should cut or what it should expand to balance the budget. -
Fordney-McCumber Tariff Signed
This was a law that raised American tariffs on imported goods to protect factories and farms. This tariff was pro-business and also promoting foreign trade by giving loans to Europe which would be used to buy U.S. goods. -
Scopes Monkey Trial
John T. Scopes, an American high school teacher, was accused of violating a law which stated teaching human evolution was illegal. This trial drew intense national attention, but Scopes was found guilty and fined $100. -
Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters Founded
Founded by A. Philip Randolph, the BSCP worked to improve working conditions for African American railroad porters that were employed by the Pullman Company. This had a strong impact on the fight for African American rights. -
The Man Nobody Knows Published
Advertising executive, Bruce Barton, wrote one of the most successful books in the 1920s. This book portrayed Jesus Christ as a super salesman and successful businessman, using his preaching and parables as a form of advertising. Advertising in the 1920s grew and expanded to increase consumerism and spending in the U.S. economy. -
First Public Demonstration of Transmitted Moving Images
The first demonstration of a transmission movie was done at department store in London. The television would later be available to the public and transformed the way Americans receive news and entertainment. -
Model T Accounts fo 47% of New Car Sales
The 1920s were a new age of transportation, with the Ford Model T dominating the car sales. The new cars promoted a new change in the industry, as people would now buy cars with credit, promoting a consumerism in the economy. -
Over 100 Million Phonograph Records Are Sold
Over the span of one year, about 100 million phonograph records are sold across the country. These records completely changed the way people listened to music. Instead of going to concert halls or entertainment areas, a growing consumer class could now listen to music from the comfort of their home. -
Coolidge Veto of Philippine Independence
The Philippine government had drafted a resolution to separate from the United States and become an independent country. Calvin Coolidge still saw value in maintaining the Philippines as a territory, so he vetoed the proposed resolution. -
Charles Lindbergh Flies across the Atlantic
Charles Lindbergh became the first person in history to fly nonstop across the Atlantic in an airplane. He became one of the major celebrities of the 1920s as everyone looked up to him as an American hero. -
Kellogg-Briand Pact Signed
A treaty between 62 different countries was signed, stating that all signatory states would not use war to resolve conflicts between countries. This act was ridiculed because it failed to stop militarism or the eventually World War II. -
Clark Memorandum
Secretary of State Reuben Clark pledged that the US would no longer intervene with any Latin American affairs to protect US property rights. This action opposed the Roosevelt Corollary and promoted more isolationism in the United States
