1. Flappers: The 1920s saw the rise of flappers, young women who defied traditional gender roles and societal expectations. They wore shorter skirts, bobbed their hair, and embraced new styles of music and dance.
2. Jazz Age: The 1920s is often referred to as the Jazz Age due to the immense popularity of jazz music. Jazz musicians like Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington, and Bessie Smith gained fame, and jazz clubs became popular venues for entertainment.
3. Prohibition: The prohibition of alcohol in the United States from 1920-1933 led to the emergence of speakeasies, underground bars where alcohol was illegally sold and consumed. This gave rise to organized crime and bootlegging activities.
4. Consumerism: The economy flourished in the 1920s, leading to increased consumerism. People began buying more goods, such as cars, radios, and appliances, and advertising became a vital part of popular culture.
5. Art Deco: Art Deco was a popular design style that emphasized geometric shapes, bold colors, and sleek lines. It was used in architecture, interior design, fashion, and other forms of art.
6. Women's Suffrage: In 1920, the 19th Amendment granted women the right to vote in the United States. This was a significant milestone in the women's rights movement and had a profound impact on society and politics.
7. Harlem Renaissance: The 1920s saw a blossoming of African American art, literature, and culture in Harlem, New York. Writers like Langston Hughes and Zora Neale Hurston, musicians like Duke Ellington and Cab Calloway, and artists like Jacob Lawrence and Archibald Motley Jr. gained prominence during this period.
8. Stock Market: The stock market experienced a period of rapid growth in the 1920s, leading to speculation and increased investment. However, the bubble burst in 1929, triggering the Great Depression.
9. Transportation: Automobiles became more affordable, leading to increased personal mobility. Air travel also made significant advancements, and commercial airlines began operating.
10. Radio and Cinema: Radio became widespread in households, providing entertainment and news broadcasting. The film industry also flourished with the rise of silent films and the emergence of Hollywood as a major center of movie production.
These are just a few examples of the many things people did in the 1920s, which was a dynamic period characterized by cultural shifts, technological progress, and social movements that shaped the decade and left a lasting impact on society.