The popular culture of Roaring Twenties (from 1920-1930) was characterized by the flapper, automobiles, movies, nightclubs, and jazz. In the 1920s, many lived a fast paced life with a new sense of freedom and prosperity (this atmosphere emerged after WWI). Many products became mass-produced, and as a result, more available to the "ordinary" consumer. In particular, one object invented and used in the 1920s revolutionized how news was distributed; the radio. The radio let the population easily access current events, as it live streamed events across the globe. Additionally, in this new lifestyle activities such as crossword puzzles and board games became extremely popular. |
EntertainmentThe entertainment of the 1920s was both movies and television shows, the radio, and live performances in nightclubs (flappers and jazz).
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SportsThe most popular sports of the Roaring Twenties were baseball, football, golf, and tennis. With these sporting events came well known athletes such as Babe Ruth and Bill Tilden.
The public flocked to these sporting events, but also received a play-by-play on their radios. |
Leisure ActivitiesDue to the technological advances of the 1920s, many of the leisure activities of the same era only required sitting at home. This included listening to the radio, watching television, or playing boardgames.
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The Harlem Renaissance:
One of the most well known aspects of the pop culture in the 1920s was the Harlem Renaissance. This was a name given to cultural, artistic, and social "explosion" that transpired in Harlem during the Roaring Twenties. It attracted African-American artists, poets, musicians, scholars, and photographers, but also helped attract a more diverse audience to a part of the New York City that was densely populated with one race and socioeconomic class.