TIME The Daring Decade:
1920s
Staff: Editors: Sadie Rhomberg and Micaila Kurtz Layout Director: Ruby Martin Graphic Designer: Elle Bode Advertising: Brittan Gregoire
Table of Contents New York, 1920
Letter from the Editors……………………....page 3 Advertisment………………………………...page 4 Letters to the Editor……………………....pages 5-7 Briefing……………………………………....page 8 Advertisment………………………………...page 9 World Article……………………………….page 10 Advertisment…………………………….....page 11 Society Article……………………………...page 12 Economy Article…………………………...page 13 Advertisment ……………………………....page 14 Feature Article, Harlem Renaissance….pages 15-16 Advertisment……………………………….page 17 Entertainment………………………………page 18 Sports……………………………………….page 19 Advertisment……………………………….page 20 Interview with Duke Ellington……………..page 21
Letter from the Editors The 1920’s, or the Roaring Twenties as some call it, is the decade to live in. New types of music such as jazz and opera are becoming popular. People can now listen to their favorite music on the radio, which is a new invention that many citizens are investing in. Opera houses and theaters are being built for musicians and performers to show off their talent. People are putting themselves out there and working hard to fulfill their dreams of becoming famous. And it’s becoming easier now. Not only are the whites making it big, but many African American men and women are aspiring to be successful musicians, politicians, and even writers.
Theater in New York
Our featured article in this months magazine is on the Harlem Renaissance. You’ll read about the new African American musicians and writers, and find out how they became so successful in their work. Maybe you can make it big as well! Pick up our next article which will have even more news about America and how it is coming to be an amazing country to live in.
Women dressed up for a party
This magazine will tell you about how Women and African Americans are beginning to find their place in society. Although they are still discriminated, African Americans are getting recognized for their talents. The 1920’ s is already a big decade for African Americans, and they believe it will only get better. Women are getting jobs and going to parties. They are restructuring the expectations of the future generations and are having fun while doing it.
Jazz performance by AfricanAmericans
Sincerely, Sadie Rhomberg and Micaila Kurtz 3
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Letters to the Editor Dear Editor, I strongly agreed with your article about rural life. Now a days, urban life has been growing tremendously, causing 13 million acres of cultivated land left abandoned. Why not take advantage of it? Is the growth of urban life good for our society? Who wants to go work in the city, and live in a trash pit? We, the people who respect hard work, think that people should learn how to live the proper way. They should learn how to work hard, just like every other American. Farming gives Americans a chance to own property, control their lives, be selfsufficient, and make a profit. Hauling water inside, heat on the stove for washing, baths in a tub, what’s wrong with living like this? Putting a little more effort into the way we live our lives doesn’t hurt nobody! Living on the farm is the bees knees! Sincerely, Ruby Martin
Dear Editor, I really enjoyed your article on urban life. Living in the city is just berries. Like your article stated, there are many things to do in the city. Thanks to the convenience of dim boxes, you can get a ride to almost anywhere. Just the other day I took a dimbox to a baseball game with my friend to watch Babe Ruth play for the Yankees. It was the frog’s eyebrows. Afterwards we went to a speakeasy and saw a lot of face stretchers. I attend Broadway musicals on a regular basis and enjoy going to movies. I really enjoy dudding up and going out to fancy places. Once I used my hush money to attend a symphony orchestra concert with my goof. There’s so much to do in the city and everyone here has tons of fun. I just don’t know why anyone would want to live anywhere else. Thank you for writing such a lovely article on city life. Sincerely, Micaila Kurtz
Letters to the Editor Dear Editor, I read you article on the 18th amendment and have to say that I highly disagree. I think that prohibition should be abolished because it has caused so many organized crimes such as gangs stealing cars and engaging in gun battles. Gangs are forming to protest prohibition because they believe that the cost is too high. And this is all because of the aw. Accessing alcohol right now is actually fairly easy. You can be prescribed alcohol for medical purposes. Storefronts are also used as “blind pigs” which is where they have full bars hidden in the back of the store and in order to get in them you have to know the code word. Most people still drink alcohol even though it’s illegal. So I think it would be easier to just legalize it again. Importing, selling, stealing, and buying illegal liquor can be done many ways. One way is buying imported liquor on off shore boats. Another way is people stealing stills from big companies to sell for cheap. See how pointless it is to ban alcohol? It just makes people commit crimes to get to it. Prohibition should just be abolished because it has caused people to illegally import, buy, sell, transport, and steal liquor. It has also caused many crimes and illegal alcohol purchases. And that is why I don’t agree with your article on prohibition.
Dear Editor, I was very pleased with your article on the alcohol issue, and I thought it was just berries! There is definitely a drinking problem and I am pleased to see that people are finally taking action! I've always hated the way alcohol changes people. You'll become a sick drunk and lose your job. Maybe even ruin your relationships. I don’t want my young children to grow up around all of these blaah drunk men. It’s not good for them, and I don’t want them getting any ideas about prostitution or gambling. I always knew George Remus was a bit fluky. He’ s going around producing alcohol illegally and selling it off to emballers! Who knew that grain is being used for brewing alcohol? We could use grain to solve the food problems; not increase the amount of alcohol being produced and consumed. I hope that Prohibition stays for a long time and keeps the mustard plasters away from my young girls. Thank you for the article! It was the ducks quack! Sincerely, Sadie Rhomberg
Sincerely, Brittan Gregoire 6
Letters to the Editor Dear Editor, Your article in last month’s issue describing how the youth is breaking tradition was very negative. Adults can’t control us for our whole lives. Our youth today is breaking through tradition and setting new boundaries. Now that the war is over we have more independence. School is a very important factor in our lives and valuing education should not be shown negatively. Now that child labor has been eliminated from our lives, we are free of our limitations and deserve to have fun. Settling down and having a family is important but there is no deadline. We can do what we want on our own time. You can’ t tell us what to wear and how to act. We are independent and have a strong point of view on the world today. Change isn’t always bad, in fact it can make the world a better place. And you consider our new ways of thinking negative on our society? Sincerely, Elle Bode
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Briefing By: Elle Bode “Never let the fear of striking out get in your way.� -Babe Ruth There is still only
The Average Male hourly wage is still remaining
One am radio station currently in the U.S.
105.7 million people live in the U.S.
48 states are currently in the U.S.
at 53
Cents.
27,000 people in the There are 2,042 daily newspapers here in the U.S. The price of a dozen eggs dropped to just
68
U.S. enjoy bowling in their freetime. The unemployment rate is down to
4%
cents
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World By: Ruby Martin Reparations is a big problem for all countries after the war. The Dawes Plan was almost able to fix this. Isnt that just the bees knees? The League largely failed in their attempt of disarmament. That is one of the key aims of the League. Disarmament is the reduction of military forces and weapons.
Washington Naval Conference
The 1920s is an age of dramatic social and political change. Many changes have been taking place in America after World War 1. After the war, our country became very strict on who came into our America. We started closing the doors to immigrants, and we became more isolated. Our president refused to join the League of Nations because we didn't want to be involved in another devastating world war.
The Washington Naval Conference is an example of disarmament. At this conference, France, Japan, Britain and the U.S. agreed to limit the size of their navies but that was the farthest the disarmament ever got. They agreed to limit size by the ratio of the navies because they thought this would make it more even and fair. However, as you can see, building international political stability and world peace is already questionable.
The Kellogg-Briand Pact, also known as the Pact of Paris, was an agreement to outlaw war. Our country wants to be neutral and not take sides. To accomplish this, we teamed up with France to re-announce war with a bilateral agreement. Signing of the Kellogg-Briand Pact renouncing war as an instrument of foreign policy
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Tensions in Society By Micaila Kurtz
The Klu Klux Klan at a cross burning ceremony
Recently, society has changed dramatically. The Klu Klux Klan was recreated in 1915 by Edward Clark. The group is growing every day and now has recruited over three million people, which is creating a problem for a lot of us. A burning cross has become the symbol for the clan and is often used at the marching, parades, and nighttime cross burnings the white-robed men participate in all over the country.
There is a growing movement happening right now involving African Americans. Through the Universal Negro Improvement Association, African Americans are being encouraged to move back to Africa. Marcus Garvey established this black nationalist organization. Its purpose is to convince African Americans to move back to Africa to reclaim it and be free from white oppression. Marcus Garvey is a great speaker and is very enthusiastic. His enthusiasm is contagious and he is gaining a lot of support. People are questioning whether or not he will have enough money to carry out his plan because he is attempting to do such a dramatic thing without a lot of money to start with. Hopefully he will inspire more people and gain enough funds to fulfill his mission.
The group mainly targets Christians, Jews, immigrants, and blacks. The Klan tortures and brutally murders their innocent victims. It is common for the members of the Klu Klux Klan to whip or tar and feather their targets. They claim they’re spreading Americanism, although their actions are controversial among the people in America. The Klan is slowly gaining political power. While they are spreading terror across our country, the United States government is unable to control them. They don’t want to become targets of the Klan. The Klan has threatened people who take any action to stop them, so very few people try. Most people are hoping that the Klan is just a phase and that it will eventually disappear, although others are supporting them.
Marcus Garvey, founder of the UNIA
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Economy After the War Written by: Elle Bode
During the war the economy was boosted dramatically. But now that the war is over, countries aren’t relying on us for weapons and production. Many of us Americans are left in debt. Soldiers returning haven’t been working and their jobs are replaced. Life is hard for those who are returning from war. To turn this problem around, the idea of credit and installment are now brought into the picture. You can now buy things without dough and pay for them later. You can buy spiffy clothes without having the money. Middle class families can now afford things like Jalopies. One in five Americans own a Jalopy today. A Jalopy brings an American freedom. They can travel as they please and vacation whenever they want to. People commonly visit family that don’t live nearby. As cars become the bee’s knees, industrialization is now needed to keep up with many Americans. Bridges and highways are being built to support this lifestyle. With so many Jalopies on the road, Businesses saw a new era of advertisement. Billboards are posted everywhere a car would travel. As you're cruising in your jalopy you are bombarded with billboards of every color. They get your attention from a mile away! Another innovation is the radio. From your house you can to listen to a nationwide broadcast! It’s the berries! The talk show hosts are the big cheese considering how their voices are heard everywhere!
Woman tuning her radio.
Electricity made a big impact. We now have light at night! No more lousy candles that never provided much light. The city never sleeps in New York City. The streets are lit and full of light all day long. People are working even after the sun sets. Working is such a big part of our lives now. Businesses boomed as they had workers working not only during the day, but through the night! Wall street brings the economy lots of money. It’s the main drag of New York City. Stocks help start out many successful businesses and americans benefit from having a share of that success. Americans travel from all over the nation to be a part of the cats meow. The war ending may have been thought to leave a lousy economy behind, but that’s just a bunch of applesauce. Don’t listen to those flat tires, our economy is hotsy totsy. 13
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Feature Article: The Harlem Renaissance Art isn’t only seen through physical forms, art is also a lifestyle. Harlem, New York gives the African Americans a chance to express themselves and be free. Many famous artists live in Harlem. Harlem is a foundation for many famous musicians.There are no flat tires in Harlem, everyone is creative. It is every African American’ s dream to live in Harlem.
Rent parties are held almost every Saturday and they attract a lot of people. They are required to pay admission, although it is usually relatively cheap. After they pay, they enjoy the night with their friends and family. Many churches benefit from rent parties by holding their own parties to earn money and support for their church.
African American’s begin their journey to the North in The Great Migration. They are trying to escape the racial discrimination and segregation by moving to the north. About one million African Americans are participating in the migration and finding the freedom to express themselves. Coming from the South is a long journey. When they reach the destination, they realize that the hardships were worth it.
Many famous music styles have been created in Harlem. Jazz is the bee’s knees of music and it was created here. The blues and ragtime are also from Harlem. Opera is another famous style of music and is commonly seen around here.
Harlem is centered on 135th Street and 7th Avenue. It covers less than two square miles. It’s also known as the “Black Manhattan.” Harlem is full of music, operas, plays, musicals, and art is always being sold on the streets. Harlem never sleeps at night. Parties and celebrations continue into the dark.
Louis Armstrong
Harry Lawrence Freeman was the first African American man to compose opera and be recognized for it. Many people of mixed races enjoy his work. His success inspires other African Americans to make their own music. Louis Armstrong is another very influential African American musician to aspiring artists. He invented jazz and is currently the most famous jazz performer. Harlem, New York 1920
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Feature Article: Harlem Renaissance Theatre and poetry are also present in Harlem. Poetry is commonly sold on the streets. Frances Ellen Watkins Harper is a growing poet in Harlem . She is only 20 years old but is aspiring to one day be famous for her work.Theatre is also very popular in Harlem. The play “Shuffle Along’ brought a lot of attention to the talent of Harlem. The people of Harlem are being recognized for their hard work.
Men are also putting their work out in the art community. The men are known mostly for the writing, music, and art in Harlem. James Weldon Johnson is known for writing a novel called “ The Autobiography of an Ex-Colored Man” which is about him trying to pass as a white man. It has influenced other young black writers to write books and sell them to the public. Duke Ellington is a very well known jazz musician in Harlem. He regularly plays at The Cotton Club, which is an exclusive place for jazz musicians to play their music. Duke plays jazz there and also conducts his own band. When Duke was younger he taught himself to play the piano and now he writes his own music and attracts a lot of people to come see him.
Garvey Club Inc., Harlem, New York Frances Ellen Watkins Harper’s book, A Brighter Coming Day.
Women in Harlem are being recognized for their poetry and writing as well. Pauline E. Hopkins wrote a book about a black women living in a white society. The book is gaining popularity among black women. Zora Neale Hurston takes black folklore stories and turns them into novels, short stories, and poetry. Her creativity brought a new spin on writing. People have never read anything like it and are drawn in by her writing style. Augustus Savage was an artist who influenced young girls through her art. Augustus entered her career as an artist because she didn't have enough money to make a living in Harlem.
Recently African Americans have been involving themselves in politics. A very inspirational and influential political leader is Marcus Garvey. He became a Pan-Africanist when he was younger, just after he became interested in politics. A Pan-Africanist is someone who believes in the need for people of African descent, no matter where they lived, to unite to fight for their rights. He was born in Jamaica and has just recently returned home. He founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA), which was an association that demanded the rights of African Americans to be recognized.
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New Music and Radio by: Sadie Rhomberg
KDKA News Broadcast
The world is really changing with all of the new technology being invented! Radios are now being used in homes and there are even a few stations you can listen to. They are a small purchase to make, and all you need to do is put in the batteries and plug it into the wall. It is so much easier for the people who live away from the big cities and you’ll definitely want to invest in one. Radio stations are becoming very popular as well. WWJ, WGY, and KDKA are the stations that are running right now. The sales from the stations are rising like crazy! It started at around $60 million, and at this rate, we could reach $852 million by 1929. KYW is a favorite from Chicago. They broadcast exclusive opera that lots of people enjoy six days a week. Once the opera season will end, KYW will start to play classical music, sporting events, newscasts, weather reports, and much more. Soon, you will start to hear advertisements while listening to the radio.
Something new and different is becoming more noticed now. Can you guess what is is? It’s a genre of music and it’s so catchy and fun! That’s right, jazz! Just now jazz is becoming more known, but it started a few years ago; around 1917. If you want to listen to music that’s a little more upbeat and even a little raspy, check out what everyone’s been talking about! Citizens are enjoying jazz because it’s different from the classical music. It’s something no one has ever really heard and it’s making everyone super excited to hear the new music. A few jazz singers and musicians are Paul Whiteman and Louis Armstrong. Paul Whiteman is also known as the “King of Jazz.” Louis Armstrong is playing to smaller audiences, but it still very popular. His lyrics are being changed because he didn’t want to offend his white audiences. Whiteman is growing more famous and rich. He’s being criticised for co-opting and sanitizing his jazz music.
Louis Armstrong
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Spectator Sports By Brittan Gregoire
Babe Ruth while playing for the Yankees
The 1920’s has been the beginning of national sports celebrities. Before the 1920’s, most athletes were not known unless they were local heroes. People nowadays have a lot more leisure time than before. This makes it easier to go to baseball games and do things other than work all the time. I recently saw The Babe in action. He is the big cheese! Another thing that helps people keep up with their favorite teams is the invention of the radio. I think the radio is the bee’s knees! You can listen to the Yankees play in New York, and be all the way in California!
Football is also becoming more popular than before the 20’s. This new association was formed last August and it’s called the NFL. Many colleges play football, but the best teams are located in the North and Midwest. Football is broadcasted on the radio along with baseball. Sports for Women right now are scarce. Educators believe it’s unladylike for us to run or sweat. I say that is just horsefeathers! Women should be able to do sports just like men! There are some sports for women such as swimming, golf and tennis.
Baseball has become very popular lately. You’ll see two baseball teams in nearby cities playing each other and crowds gathering to watch. We even have high school and college baseball teams! You could say that baseball has become the nations favorite pastime. Unidentified college football team
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10 Questions with Duke Ellington, the miracle of the 20th century Q1: When did your musical education start? DE: “I began playing the piano as a child, and my mother oversaw my education. I started playing professionally at age 17.” Q2:Define jazz… DE: “Jazz is my idea of how a tune should go.” Q3: Where do you play your music? DE: “I play a lot of my music at the Cotton Club. Along with composing my own work, I also write music for Broadway plays.” Q4: What kind of music do you play? DE: “Orchestral jazz, swing, and big band.”
Q7: When did you first play in New York? DE: “I first played in New York in 1923. Later that year, I moved there and played for Broadway night clubs.” Q8: What do you think of Harlem? DE: “I think it was a great time in which African Americans celebrated their culture and enjoyed unique experiences of “You've got to find some celebration” way of saying it without Q9:What are the names of some of your top hits right now? saying it.” DE: “ Two of my most popular songs right now -Duke Ellington Q5:When did you write your first are”It Don’t Mean a composition? What was it called? Thing” and “Mood DE: “I wrote my first composition at Indigo” age 15 and it was called “Soda Q10: When did you get Fountain Rag”. Everyone thought it the nickname “Duke” was berries! and why? Q6: Where did you grow up? And DE: “Well, my real first how did you become to love music? name is Edward. I got the DE: “I grew up in Washington D.C. my nickname because it’s family encouraged my interest in fine similar to “the Duke of arts, so they were very supportive.” Wellington” 21
Bibliography Brittan Gregoire:
Hanson, Erica. The 1920s. San Diego, CA: Lucent, 1999. Print. Hill, Laban Carrick. Harlem Stomp! : A Cultural History of the Harlem Renaissance. New York: Little, Brown, 2003. Print. Pietrusza, David. The Roaring Twenties. San Diego, CA: Lucent, 1998. Print. U.S.A. Twenties. Danbury, CT: Grolier, 2005. Print. US.A. 1920s. Danbury, CT: Grolier, 2005. Print.
Micaila Kurtz: "Back to Africa Movements." Modern War History Online. N.p., n.d. Web. 13 Oct. 2014. Hanson, Erica. The 1920s. San Diego, CA: Lucent, 1999. Print. Hill, Laban Carrick. Harlem Stomp! : A Cultural History of the Harlem Renaissance. New York: Little, Brown, 2003. Print. Pietrusza, David. The Roaring Twenties. San Diego, CA: Lucent, 1998. Print. U.S.A. Twenties. Danbury, CT: Grolier, 2005. Print.
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Ruby Martin: U.S.A. Twenties. Danbury, CT: Grolier, 2005. Print. U.S.A. 1920s. Danbury, CT: Grolier, 2005. Print. Baughman, Judith S. American Decades: 1920-1929. New York: Gale Research, 1996, Print. "Infobase Learning - Login." Infobase Learning - Login. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 Oct. 2014.
Elle Bode: Yancey, Diane. Life during the Roaring Twenties. San Diego, CA: Lucent, 2002. Print. Pietrusza, David. The Roaring Twenties. San Diego, CA: Lucent, 1998. Print. "Infobase Learning - Login." Infobase Learning - Login. N.p., n.d. Web. 08 Oct. 2014. Hanson, Erica. The 1920s. San Diego, CA: Lucent, 1999. Print. Our Century, 1920-1930. Milwaukee, WI: Gareth Stevens Pub., 1993. Print.
Sadie Rhomberg: Filmsite. Tim Dirks, n.d. Web. 13 Oct. 2014. Hanson, Erica. The 1920s. San Diego, CA: Lucent, 1999. Print. KDKA NEWS BROADCAST. 1920. N.p.: n.p., n.d. N. pag. AP Images. Web. 14 Oct. 2014. Louis Armstrong Final Recording. 1971. N.p.: n.p., n.d. N. pag. AP Images. Web. 14 Oct. 2014. Pietrusza, David. The Roaring Twenties. San Diego, CA: Lucent, 1998. Print. Robertson, Anna, Steve Garfinkel Garfinkel, and Elizabeth Eckstein. "Radio in the 1920's." Radio in the 1920's. Professor John Sullivan, 1 May 2000. Web. 12 Oct. 2014.
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