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Roaring '20s
The Roaring '20s was a period of economic growth and prosperity. Marked by prohibition, new innovations in music and entertainment, and carefree living. Despite all the good things happening, the '20s led into the Great Depression. -
Emergency Quota Act
Congress establishes quotas for immigration in order to limit the flow of incoming people. This act is specifically targeted at immigrants from south and eastern Europe. -
Teapot Dome Scandal Begins
The Teapot Dome Scandal begins with Harding's Secretary of Interior leases Teapot oil reserves in Wyoming. -
Warner Bros
Warner Brothers Pictures is founded. -
Harding Dies
Warren G. Harding dies while in his San Francisco hotel room. He is succeeded by his Vice-President Calvin Coolidge. -
Coolidge Retains his Position
Calvin Coolidge wins the presidential election after succeeding Harding. He beats Democrat John Davis and Progressive Robert La Follette. He gets a total of 382 electoral college votes. -
Scopes "Monkey" Trial
The Scopes Trial featured a debate between Clarance Darrow and William Jennings Bryan over the existence of God. While the case was over whether or not evolution should be taught in school, their arguments turned elsewhere. While Scopes was convicted, it was viewed as a victory by both sides. -
Klansmen March
40,000 members of the Klu Klux Klan march on Washington. Their white hoods filled Pennsylvania Avenue. -
"Why to the North Pole of Course!"
The first flight to the North Pole and back occurs with Floyd Bennet as the pilot, and Richard Byrd as navigator. They were later awarded a medal of honor for their accomplishment. -
Aid for Air
The Air Commerce Act is passed which provides aid to the airline industry, and created the Department of Commerce to create federal supervision for airlines. -
Lindbergh Crosses the Atlantic
Charles Lindbergh makes the first continuous flight across the Atlantic from New York to Paris. He would make the trip without stopping in his plane, the Spirit of Saint Louis. -
Television
The first success in the creation of television occurs. Philo Taylor Farnsworth would patent the device three years later. -
Construction starts on Rushmore
Construction on the giant sculpture Mount Rushmore begins. It would not be finished until fourteen years later. -
Mickey and Minnie Mouse
Mickey and Minnie Mouse appear for the first time in the animated short: Plane Crazy. -
Earhart follows Lindbergh
Amelia Earhart follows in the footsteps of Charles Lindbergh and flies across the Atlantic. She is the first woman to do so. -
Hoover wins the Election
Herbert Hoover wins the election for president, beating Democrat Alfred E. Smith. He wins by a margin of 444 to 83 electoral college votes. -
St. Valentines Day Massacre
Gagsters working for Al Capone kill seven rivals and citizens in Chicago Illinois. The murders came to be known as the St. Valentines Day Massacre. -
Teapot Dome Scandal Ends
The Teapot Dome Scandal comes to a close with Albert B. Fall sentenced to one year in prison and a $100,000 fine. -
Stock Market Crash
The stock market crashes, bringing an end to most of the postwar prosperity. The losses in the market result in the worst depression in American history. -
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Great Depression
The Great Depression was the result of an economic crash that brought unemployment, homelessness and poverty. The Dust Bowl created great harm for farmers, and the economy suffered. It affected not only America, but the whole world. -
Technology Advances
Even with the economy in such upheaval, technology was still moving forward. Clarence Birdseye invents a way to quick freeze food, Clyde Tombaugh discovers the planet Pluto, and the first analog computer is invented by Vannevar Bush. -
Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act
Herbert Hoover signs the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act, which was designed to help farmers by raising taxes on incoming goods. However, this act only hurt them. -
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The Dust Bowl
A drought grips the south, strong winds blow away topsoil, and record high temperatures scorch the ground. This created a bad situation for farmers, as crops weren't growing and they could not earn money. Many tried to move, but it seemed to affecting everywhere. The drought ended in 1939 when rain finally came. -
National Anthem
The Star Spangled Banner is approved for America's national anthem by Hoover and Congress. -
Empire State Building
Construction on the Empire State Building finishes, and the building opens for business. -
Government tries to help
The Reconstruction Finance Corporation is created to stabilize the economy, and help the banks recover. It did not work as well as hoped. -
Hoover looses the election
Herbert Hoover looses his seat as president to Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who promised a "New Deal" for the American people. Roosevelt wins in a landslide of 472 to 59 electoral college votes. -
Roosevelt is Inaugurated
FDR is inaugurated for the first time. In his speech, he famously say: "We have nothing to fear but fear itself." He would continue to speak to the American public through his "Fireside Chats." -
The New Deal
Roosevelt almost immediately puts his New Deal into action with the Emergency Banking Act. He would continue to implement new policies over the next few months such as The Civilian Conservation Corp, the Federal Emergency Relief Act, Agricultural Adjustment Act, and Rural Electrification Act. -
An end of Prohibition
The 21st Amendment to the constitution is made, ending prohibition. -
Social Security
The Social Security Act is passed as part of New Deal legislation. Social Security still exist today. -
Hoover Dam
The Hoover Dam is completed and dedicated by President Roosevelt. -
Roosevelt retains the Presidency
FDR keeps his position as president, overwhelming his opponent with a staggering margin of 523 votes to 8. -
Hindenburg Explodes
At Lakehurst, New Jersey the airship the Hindenburg blows up killing 36 people. This tragedy led to the elimination of hydrogen from such crafts. -
Golden Gate Bridge
The Golden Gate Bridge is opened to receive its first cars. FDR opens it from Washington D.C. with a ceremonial button. -
Minimum Wage
The National Minimum Wage becomes a law, raising employers to pay at least 25 cents per hour. -
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World War II
The World was once again plunged into a global conflict, this time with HItler and his Nazis as the primary aggressor. -
Maybe it will Work this Time?
America once again declares itself neutral in the war going on in Europe. World War II starts when Hitler invades Poland, sparking an even deadlier conflict. -
Neutral?
The American government sends excess military equipment to help Britain. -
A Nearly Forgotten Election
Roosevelt win a third election, once again dominating his opponent 449 votes to only 82. With a war possibly looming, this job could get very hard. -
Biased Neutrality
FDR signs the Lend-Lease Act, which provided financial and military support for the Allies in Europe. Roosevelt makes it clear he does not approve of the Axis or their cause. Although not at war, America later sends troops to defend Iceland for Great Britain. -
Atlantic Charter
President Roosevelt and British Prime Minister Winston Churchill create the Atlantic Charter, an unofficial alliance of America and Britain. -
A Day that will Live in Infamy
Japan launches a surprise attack on Pearl Harbor, striking early at 7:55 a.m. This attack took the lives of 1,177 American sailors and it sparked America's official entry into World War II.