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Humans Develop Wings
On December 17, 1903, Orville and Wilbur Wright flew the first airplane for 12 seconds over a distance of 120 feet at Kitty Hawk, N.C.
Aviation slowly got off the ground, and they were used a bit in World War I, but afterwards, it really took off when they became used for mail and other functions.
The first transcontinental airmail route was established form New York to San Francisco in 1920.
At first, there were many accidents and crashes, but later, safety improved. -
Wilson’s Fourteen Potent Points
On January 8, 1917, Wilson delivered his Fourteen Points Address to Congress.
The Fourteen Points were a set of idealistic goals for peace. The main points were…
No more secret treaties.
Freedom of the seas was to be maintained.
A removal of economic barriers among nations.
Reduction of armament burdens.
Adjustment of colonial claims in the interests of natives and colonizers.
“Self-determination,” or independence for oppressed minority groups who’d choose their government -
War by Act of Germany
On January 22, 1917, Woodrow Wilson made one final, attempt to avert war, delivering a moving address that correctly declared only a “peace without victory” (beating Germany without embarrassing them) would be lasting. -
Wall Street’s Big Bull Market
There was much over-speculation in the 1920s, especially on Florida home properties (until a hurricane took care of that), and even during times of prosperity, many, many banks failed each year.
The whole system was built on fragile credit.
The stock market’s stellar rise made headline news (and enticed investors to drop their savings into the market’s volatility).
Secretary of the Treasury Mellon reduced the amount of taxes that rich people had to pay, thus conceivably thrusting the burden -
A Three-Way Race for the White House in 1924
Coolidge was chosen by the Republicans again in 1924, while Democrats nominated John W. Davis after 102 ballots in Madison Square Garden.
The Democrats also voted by one vote NOT to condemn the Ku Klux Klan.
Senator Robert La Follette led the Progressive Party as the third party candidate.
He gained the endorsement of the American Federation of Labor and the shrinking Socialist Party, and he actually received 5 million votes.
However, Calvin Coolidge easily won the election.
