Celebrate U.S. 20th Century in Philately: 1920's (No. 3

 1920's: The Roaring Twenties 

 Two Constitutional Amendments went into effect in 1920s, turning the nation upside down. The 18^th Amendment prohibited the manufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages, and the 19^th Amendment, the right to vote. Prohibition backfired, leading to widespread disrespect for the law. A federal highway system was organized and the number of automobiles nearly triple. Spreading electrification spawned the golden era of radio.

The roaring twenties, as the decade came to be known, was an age of thrill seekers. In 1926 Gertrude Ederle swan the English Channel faster than any man had. The following year Charles Lindbergh flew nonstop across the Atlantic alone and Babe Ruth hit 60 home runs. 

The first feature-length film with talking parts, The Jazz Singer appeared in 1927 and the first Academy Awards were presente din 1929. 

The prosperous times ended with the stock market crush of Thursday October 24, 1929.

New words: motel, robot, fan mail, teenage.

The 15 stamps depicting the era are:

The 19^th Amendment: in the U.S. Constitution was ratified on August 26, 1920. The fight for the women’s suffrage had been won, ending a struggle that began in the mid-nineteen century.

Electric Toy Trains: Children played with colorful and elaborate electric toy trains, complete with stations, houses, accessories, track and transformers. The most  popular sets were produced by Lionel.

The 18^th Amendment: Prohibited the manufacture and sale of alcoholic beverages. The detail from Ten Shahn painting from the Museum of the City of New York shows federal agents disposing of wine.

The Great Gastby: F. Sott Fitzgeral exposed the lavish and insensitive lifestyle of the rich and glamorous in his classic 1925 novel. 

Babe Ruth: hit 54 home runs in 1929. He went on to hit 59 homers in 1921 and 60 in 1927. Twice he hit 3 home runs in a single game of a World Series.  One of his nicknames was the Sultan of Swat.

The Art Deco: style in architecture and the decorative arts combines sleek elegance, geometric shapes, and varied materials. One of the finest examples of the style, the Chrysler Building in New York reflects America’s exuberance in the 1920s.

The Radio: By the ed of 1920’s, radio became a national obsession. Families crowded around their sets to listen to newscasts, comedy, and children’s shows, variety hours, and presidential speeches.

Flappers:  Caricaturist John Held Jr. portrayed the fun-loving escapist lifestyle of the Roaring Twenties. His drawings of young women called flappers symbolized the decade.

Anthropoligist Margaret Mead: explored the effect of culture on the behavior and personalitie of children and adults, as well as the differences between men and women.

Emil Post: In the era of social mobility, Emil Post defined modern good manners, and conduct. Her books, radio programs, and syndicated newspaper columns set the standard for etiquette throughout the twentieth century.

Charles Lindbergh: On May 20-21, 1927, Charles Lindbergh completed the first nonstop solo Trans-Atlantic flight. He left from Long Island and flew 3,600 miles to Paris in 33 and a half hours. 

Notre Dame’s Four Horsemen:  In the 1920’s, College Football’s most famous backfield was Notre Dame’s Four Horsemen: Don Miller, Elmer Layden, Jim Cowley, and Harry Stuhldreher. None of them weighed more than 170 pounds. 

Jazz: Created in the United States, jazz was spread by radio and recordings in the 1920s. Among the leading performers were Louise Armstrong, Jelly Roll Morton, Joe “King” Oliver, Fletcher Henderson, and Bix Beiderbecke.

American Realist: Painter Edward Hopper (1882-1967) is possibly the most important American realist of the period. . The detail from the Automat, at the Des Moines Art Center, typifies his attention to the human feelings of alienation and instrospection.

Stock Market: Prices plummeted on Black Thursday 24, 1929, and collapsed on October 29. Banks and Businesses closed and the Great Depression soon followed.

Vahe H. Apelian