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The Wizard of Oz was published
L. Frank Baum published the Wonderful Wizard of Oz, his best selling book series that commentated on Progressive era -
Theodore Roosevelt was inaugurated
On September 14, 1901, after President McKinley’s assassination, Theodore Roosevelt was inaugurated. Roosevelt’s presidency was defined by progressive social and economic reform and aggressive foreign policy. -
The Jungle is published
On November 4, 1905, Upton Sinclair published The Jungle. The fictional work served as a critical commentary on harsh conditions of and exploitation of labor, and inspired reforms such as the Meat Inspection Act. -
Pure Food and Drug Act
Caused by Theodore Roosevelt’s and the public’s reaction to meatpacking industry practices exposed by muckraker Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle.
Gave the federal government increased power over regulating the meatpacking and drug industries. -
Invention of the Ford Model T
The first automobile capable of being mass produced through standardization of parts.
Gave millions of Americans increased access to car travel. -
William Howard Taft was inaugurated
On March 4, 1909, William Howard Taft was inaugurated. Taft’s presidency was defined by indiscriminate trust busting and dollar diplomacy, leading to a split in the Republican Party between conservatives and progressives. -
Pole sitting
When people would gather around to watch someone sit on a pole for long hours of time and became a national popular event due to the high influx of money available during the roaring 20’s until the Great Depression when this fad eventual died but was popularized again in the future -
The Memphis Blues is released
William Christopher Handy released the first song in the blues genre, the Memphis Blues -
Crossword Puzzles
Fever swept the nation when Simon and Schuster published America's first crossword puzzle book. Making words in a puzzle like manner with hints to what the word in the blank is and there are some letters for guidance -
Ratification of 16th Amendment
Gave congress the right to impose federal taxes.
Landmark amendment in the granting of the government more authority. -
Ratification of 17th Amendment
Changed senatorial elections to be direct, popular votes.
Represented a long string of reforms that gave citizens more power. -
Woodrow Wilson was inaugurated
On March 4, 1913, Woodrow Wilson was inaugurated. Wilson’s presidency defied Republican dominance during the Fourth Party System, and was defined by progressive economic reform and humanitarian goals during World War I. -
Babe Ruth was drafted
George Herman “Babe” Ruth Jr. was born on February 6, 1895 in Baltimore, Maryland. He was a 2-time All-star selected player, 7-time World Series champion, and named one of the greatest baseball players of all time -
Passing of the Clayton Anti-trust Act
Gave the government more power in regulating monopolies by strengthening the already existing Sherman antitrust act.
Created alongside the Federal Trade Commission, which helped encourage greater competition.
Secured the legality of strikes, boycotts and labor unions. -
Clothing styles change for women
Women’s formal- dresses usually long until the flappers where ankles were exposed
Women’s casual- bathing suits, tennis uniforms, and golfing outfits, simple, comfortable skirts, sailor blouses, and large-brim hats -
Clothing styles change for men
Men’s formal- included the traditional top hat and tailcoat as well as added an option for a dinner jacket called a Tuxedo coat today. There was also the formal morning suit that was worn to weddings and formal daytime events.
Men’s casual- bold pattern sweater or sweater vest, button-down shirt, tie or bow tie and newsboy cap completed the casual outfit. A similar short pant were breeches used for hunting, riding, outdoor work, and uniforms for chauffeurs and military men. -
The Birth of a Nation was released
On February 8, 1915, D.W. Griffith’s The Birth of a Nation was released. The controversial film, which glorified the Ku Klux Klan during Reconstruction, had mixed critical reception, and would inspire the formation of the Second Klan -
Population increases
Urban populations, particularly African Americans, increased dramatically.
