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Entertainment in the 1700's
Corn Husk dolls, Marbles and Hoops weresome of many toys children played with. They also played games like tag and hopscotch. When not outside, children would help their parents with daily chores including cooking, cleaning, and sewing for girls, as the boys would help hunt, tend to the animals or fish. -
Star Spangled Banner
After witnessing the Battle of Fort McHenry in the War of 1812, Francis Scott Key wrote a poem describing what he saw. It was officially recognized as the national anthem by President Herbert Hoover on March 3, 1931. -
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William Taylor Adams
William Taylor Adams was a state legislature in the state of MA and writer who would write under the pseudonym of Oliver Optic. Wrote many books such as:
Indoors and Out (1855)
The Boat Club (1855)
Young America Abroad
The Starry Flag
Onward and Upward
The Yacht Club -
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Minstrel Shows
American entertainment consisting of comic skits, variety acts, dancing, and music, performed, negatively stereotyping blacks as lazy, stupid, and shallow. -
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Horatio Alger, Jr.
Alger was a writer who was best known for his Juvenile novels about young boys who would rise up from their lives of poverty and comfortably live as Middle-Class Americans through determination and hard work -
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Samuel Langhorne Clemens
Better known as Mark Twain, Clemens was an American author and humorist. He wrote many books about life in the time period, and even wrote the book that named the time period, The Gilded Age. His most famous books were:
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer
and the sequel
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn -
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Written by Harriet Beecher Stowe, 'Uncle Tom's Cabin' ccritized southern platation and slave owners. Describing the trials and experience of slavery, it was promoted the abolistionist movement and many believe it "helped lay the groundwork for the Civil War." -
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John Philip Sousa
An American composer and conductor, know mostly for his American military and patriotic marches. Composed "The Stars and Stripes Forever March" that is the national march of the United States. He was also an influence on ragtime music. -
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Florenz (Flo) Ziegfeld Jr.
Producer of the Ziegfeld Follies, the famous and extremely elaborate Broadway show. Ziegfeld was born in Chicago IL, in 1867. The Follies started in 1907. The extravaganzas had highly elaborate costumes and sets. He songs were written by manyfamous composers such as : Irving Berlin, George Gershwin, and Jerome Kern. The Follies were a place where upand coming actors and actresses got their name out to the world. -
The Phonograph
The first instrument to record sounds, the phonograph was pateneted today. Many additions were added to the original tin foil wrapped cylinder including a wax covered cylinder. The phonograph was the earliest prototype to the modern day record player. -
The Phonograph
The patent for Thomas Edison's phonograph was issued on this day. The Edison's phonograph was a cylinder wrapped in tin foil, other inventers improved this model by using a cylinder coated in wax. The phonograph was a prtotype for the modern day record player. -
A Century of Dishonor
This was a bookwritten by Helen Hunt Jackson that displayed the experiences of Native Americans in the United States at the time. It was written to try and change the governments attitude toward teh Native Americans after the 1871 Indian Appropriations Act. A copy of the book was sent to each member of congress. -
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Wild West Shows
Wild West Shows were traveling vaudville performances. The first well known wild west show was Buffalo Bill's that was formed in 1883. The shows featured many westward romanticisms and showcased many western personalities for the public. -
The First Record
Emile Berliner reproduced sounds by converting the engraving from a phonograph to an electrical impulse, much like the way records are now made today. -
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The Evolution of Records
Emile Berliner produced the first record by copying the grooves from a zinc master disc into a hard-rubber record. The marks in the early record was converted into an electrical impulse which was then picked up by the needle and amplified by the horn. Records made of laminated shellac and a paper core were introduced in 1906 and then modified by using Condensite, an early plastic. This was more durable and produced less surface noise, Vinyl records were introduced in 1929 -
Ghost Dance
The Ghost Dance was invented by Wovoka, when preformed it was believed that land would be given back to Native Americans and whites would be eradicated. -
How the Other Half Lives
PUblished by Jacob Riis , was one of the first books of photographs that used the new process of photography called photoengraving. -
Gibson Girl
The Gibson Girl was an iconic cartoon impression of what the perfect maiden looked like. With her coifed hair pinned up in a chingnon, the perfect silouette and subtle dash of masculinitty, she quickly rose to the epitome of woman suffrage and balance. -
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Fanny Brice
She started working with Ziegfeld Follies from 1910 to 1911. She was hired again in 1920's as the headliner. She was know for her comedic approach to all her songs, and had two movies created about her later on called "Funny Girl" and "Funny Lady" -
The Sears Roebuck Catalogue
Sears Roebuck Catalogue A popular catalogue that devoted several pages to the 'talking machine'. This catalogue would showcase new items from the modern day Sears department store. -
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Ragtime Music
Ragtime was an origional style of music know for it's syncopated, or "ragged," rhythm. It started as dance music in the red-light districts of American like New Orleans and St. Louis. The ragtime composer Scott Joplin became famous through the publication in 1899 of the "Maple Leaf Rag" and a bunch of other ragtime songs. -
Collier's Weekly
Collier's Weekly was an American magazine founded by Peter Fenelon Collier in 1888. After a while the title was shortened to Collier's. -
The Octopus
Frank Norris, the young writer from, San Francisco, wrote about the struggle between railroad owners and and the states wheat grower's. Based on the actual practices of the railroad barons. In this book. -
McClure's Magazine
American illustrated monthly periodical that started becomeing more popular at the turn of the 20th Century. Founded by S.S. McClure and John Snborn Phillips in June 1893. -
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Camp Fire USA and the Boy Scouts of America founded
Camp Fire GIrls of America is a youth organization emphasizes outdoor activities for prekindergarteners to 21 year olds. 'The BSA goal is to train youth in responsible citizenship, character development, and self-reliance through participation in a wide range of outdoor activities, educational programs, and, at older age levels, career-oriented programs in partnership with community organizations. For younger members, the Scout method is part of the program to inculcate typical Scouting values" -
The Financier
Novel by Theodore Dreiser about a buisness tycoon who was without social conscience. Base the story on an actual tycoon. -
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Jackson Pollock
Paul Jackson Pollock was anpopular American painter and a key figure in the abstract expressionist movement. He was most well known for his uniquely defined style of drip painting. -
The Birth of a Nation
Epic film by D.W. Griffith that glorified the Ku Klux Klan and disgraced the African Americans. -
I Didn't Raise My Boy to Be a Soldier
American anti-war song that became popular after the European war began in 1914. SongAmerican anti-war song -
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US War Effort Supported by Mixed Media
During World War 1, America's war effort was supported by the music industry, nationally distributed magazines, and movies. -
Flappers
In the 1920's many women, started to shorten their hemlines to their knees, bobbed their har, and tarted wearing more makeup. They wore more clothing that had more of a boyish figure and were rebellious against the strict Victorian values of their parents. -
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Notable Literature
The Great Gatsby - F. Scott Fitzgerald
The Sun Also Rises - Ernest Hemingway
The Sound and the Fury - William Faulkner
Siddhartha - Hermann Hesse
Winnie-the-Pooh - A.A. Milne
Babbitt - Sinclair Lewis John Dos Passos -
The Lost Generation
Unsatisfied with the lifestyle of American, loss of belief in human progress, and hedonism whilst rejecting the post-WW1 lifestyle. Notable authors include Ernest Hemingway, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ezra Pound and T.S. Eliot. -
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The Lindy Hop
This dance was another popular dance in the 1920's that was also very upbeat llike the Charleston, and was in the swing family. It started in Harlem, but evolved with the jazz music of the time. -
Sports and Celebrity Culture
Jack Dempsey vs Gene Tunney is one of the most famous boxing matches. Tunney had won but Dempsey was like by the public.
Charles Lindbergh was the first man to nonstop from New York to Paris, this was to spark to celebrity culture.
Babe Ruth hit 60 home runs in 1927 -
Warner Bros.
This popular movie prodicing company was founded. -
The Charleston
A dance named after the city of Charleston, SC. The rhythm was popularized in mainstream dance music in the United States by a 1923 tune called "The Charleston" by James P. Johnson. The most popular years of the Charleston dance were 1926-7. -
The Toll of the Sea
An American Drama film that was one of the first pictures with color produced by the Technicolor Motion Picture Corporation. -
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James Arthur Baldwin
An African-American poet, essayist, writer, playwright, and social critic. Explored in his writings racial, class, and sexual discrimination. -
Don Juan
The first feature film with sound effects. -
The Jazz Singer
This was the first motion picture with sound, "talkie", starring Al Jolson. It was a musical film and was played in black face. The movie was 87 minutes long, and waseextremely popular. -
The Cocoanuts
The was one of the earlier movies by the Marx Brothers, who are Groucho, Chico, Harpo, Zeppo, and (less known) Gummo. They were a popular family comedy group. This movie was produced by Paramount Pictures and was one of the main starts of their film career. -
Cinema
Movies were often seen as an escape from ones life during the great depression. Because tickets were cheap, American's saw this opportunity to live in the wonderful and luxurious movies.Cimena glorified the living of the upper class whilst also producing comedy. -
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Fireside Chats
The first president to fully embrace technology, FDR used radios to communicate to the masses. These radio broadcasts informed the public on Roosevelt's policies, plans and propaganda. Through public support, FDR was able to get much of his adgenda passed. These broadcasts were short and to the point, normally lasting only 15 minutes. Restoring to faith of citizens in the banking system and other updates, 30 episodes were broadcasted through FDR's 12 terms of presidency. -
Federal Art Project, Federal Theater Project and Federal Music Project
Under the branch of the WPA, this provided over 5,000 jobs for artists, creating over 225,000 works of art. Murals, government posters, school courses and paintings were produced. Notable artists include Jackson Pollock and Philip Guston. The Federal Theater Project employed actors and brought theater to the public masses by touring through small towns. Unemployed musicians gave free concerts to the public. -
A Night at the Opera
This was one of the more popular movies that starred the Marx Brothers, it was the first movie that did not feature Zeppo. Their movies were very popular during the depression because they lightened up many poeople moods and gave them something to laugh about. -
The Grapes of Wrath
Novel by John Steinbeck that was set during the bGreat Depression, and focused on the the lfe of the poor sharecroppers who have to move to California because of the Dust Bowl. -
The Wizard of Oz
A major classic of the 1930's. Based on the book "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" written by L. Frank Baum. The Wizard of Oz was one of the earlier movies that actuall had color. It was produced by Mero-Goldwyn Meyer, and starred Judy Garland who was a very famous actress of the time. It won two Academy Awards and was nominated for Best Picture of the Year, but lost to "Gone With the Wind". http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ukjqiwgpd58 -
Gone With the Wind
1939 American historical epic film based off Margaret Mitchell's Pulitzer-winning 1936 novel. Won the Academy Award for Best Picture of the Year. -
Mc Donalds's
First fast food joint in the country, McDonalds served the German adopted hamburger, shake and fries. Witnessing the success of a drive-thru and prepared meals, other restaurants quickly followed suit. -
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Commodiies and Materialism
Growing up during the great depression, parents flowcked to buy refrigerators,cars, and television sets. By 1953. half of the United states had at least one tv. -
Jackie Robinson
Signed to the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947, Jackie Robinson won MVP, Rookie of the Year, inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Breaking the former color barrier in the Major Leagues, Robinsin still faced racism from fans and players. -
Drive-in Movies
Starting in the 1930's the drive'in movies had their peak in the 1950's. Many people had money to spend and teens usually went more often due to their allowances. They would hook up a radio to their car and be able to watch the giant screen. -
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Sock Hops
Informal dance that was sponsored by the high schools mainly in the cafeterias or gyms. They mainly listened to records that were played by disk jockey's (DJ's), but sometimes they had live bands play. They were called sock hops because people would have to remove their shoes so that they would not damage the floors. -
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Fashion
They fashion in the 50's changed from the boyish figure of the 20's. Many girls wore poodle skirts, while the guys would wear jeans and leather jackets. The popular shoes of the era were called saddle shoes. -
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Beatniks
They were the lost generation of the 50's similar to the 20's. They mostly spoke out against the modern society, mainly using poetry. -
Peanuts Cartoon
Origionally known as Lil' Folks, the comic strips, Peanuts started around the 40's and 50's. The comics were created by Charles Schultz and is one of the most influential comic strips. Over 17,000 strips were published. -
Museum of Modern Art
Located in NEw York City, the MoMA was one of the first public museums to showcase modern expressionist and abstract art. -
I Love Lucy
Popular sitcom that starred Lucille Ball and her husband Desi Arnez. Showed the typical steriotypes of the male and female roles during the 50's. -
Invisible Man
The only novel ever published by Ralph Ellison that talks about many social and intellectual issues that African-Americans faceed in the time period. -
Elvis
Popular, Rock and Roll singer from the south. Lived in Memphis for a time and got most of his inspiration from the African Americans, and Jazz music. Created many famous hits, and is known as "The King" of rock and roll -
Edward R. Murrow
An American broadcast journalist. Started becoming famous with a series of radio news broadcasts during World War II. Most well know for his discussions on air with Senator Joseph McCarthy, where he publically dissagreed with McCarthy's ideals and policies. -
Buddy Holly
Charles Hardin Holley (Buddy Holly), was an American singer and songwriter. He mostly sang rock and roll. His fame was very breif and only lasted about a year until he died in a tradgic plane crash that killed many famous singers. *His death/ the plane crash was the inspiration for the song "American Pie" -
The Wapshot Chronicles
The debut novel by, John Cheever. The Wapshot Chronicle is the partially humorous story of Leander Wapshot, his eccentric Aunt Honora, and his sons, Moses and Coverly, as they all deal with life. The story can be seen as an autobiography, particularly regarding the character of Coverly, who, like Cheever, experiences feelings of bisexuality. -
Barbie
The Barbie came out in the late 50's. It was a symbol of how the roles of women were changing. The doll was shown as the typical housewife, working in the kitchen, ect. -
Rabbit, Run
Novel by John Updike, that talks about 5 months in the life of a 26 year old former basketball player nicknamed 'Rabbit' as he tries to escape the limitations of his life. -
To Kill a Mockingbird
Literature also reflected what was happening in the political arenas and social issues of America in the sixties. A book which described some of the turmoil of race relations as they affected people in America, Harper Lee's Pulitzer prize winning novel To Kill a Mockingbird is a story about a small southern town and social distinctions between races. -
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Hippies
The hippies were part of the counterculture, their fashions are vrey similar to our today. They include faded wash jeans (mainly bell-bottoms) and tye-dye shirts. They mostly grew out their hair and refused to bathe as much as a sign of protest against the government. Hippies were also into drugs. Many left their colleges and went to Haight-Ashbury in San Francisco, CA during the summer of love. The middle class were not happy with the hippies, but many of them adopted similar fashions as them. -
Rachel Carson
"Silent Spring," a book, exposed the dangers of pesticides and other chemicals on the Earth. Exaggerating the effects of DDT and songbirds, DDT was banned in many states. -
The Feminine Mystique- Betty Friedan
A main reason of sencond-wave feminism, Friendan describes unhappiness in the white middle class. -
Bob Dylan
Popular singer in the 1960's showed the rise of the counterculture and how the time were changing in the country. -
Where the Wild Things Are
In 1963, Maurice Sendak published Where the Wild Things Are, about a boy named Max who must face some of his childhood fears. This controversial book with its illustrations, also by Sendak, won the Caldecott Medal in 1964 -
The Beatles
The Beetles, one of the most successful musical phenomenon ever, began their first tour of the United States in 1964. Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison, and Ringo Starr made up this musical group. -
The Dick Van Dyke Show
This was a popular television sitcom that started in the 60s. It showed the average family and the comedic aspects of their lives. -
The Sound of Music
The hit musical Sound of Music was created in 1965 and was a total phenomenon . The musical was about a family that had to live through the devastating World War II. This family classic is still shown annually. It stars Julie Andrews as Fraulien Maria and Christopher Plummer as Captain Von Trapp. The Sound Of Music won five Academy Awards including "Best Film" and "Best Musical Score".
Popular novels that were written in the sixties were, "Sounder" and "The Cricket in Times Square." -
Get Smart
Comedy show about a spy. It was recently made into a major motion picture. -
Woodstock
One of the biggest events of the 1960's was WoodStock. WoodStock was a time when 500,000 hippies gathered, for "three days of peace" and music. Soon, there were traffic jams, shortages of food, a wide usage of drugs and medical supplies, and potential problems.
The event origionally was supposed to charge enterance but was forced to allow most people in for free because there was such a huge turnout. -
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Ms. (Magazine)
American liberal feminist magazine
