Authors Calendar
Author's Calendar: F. Scott Fitzgerald
This site offers a detailed biography of Fitzgerald, plus a synopsis of "The Great Gatsby" and a good bibliography.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Harlem Renaissance
The Harlem Renaissance influenced not only African American culture in the Jazz Age, but all of American culture. Read about some of the shining stars of African American literature and music of the age.
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: America in Class: America in the 1920s: The Age
The National Humanities Center presents collections of primary resources compatible with the Common Core State Standards - historical documents, literary texts, and works of art - thematically organized with notes and discussion...
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: You Decide: The Roaring Twenties?
Read about prohibition, prosperity, the role of the automobile and popular culture to decide if the 1920s were a roar or a big yawn. How would you describe the 1920s?
Other
Unstrung History of American Guitar: The Guitar and the Birth of American Music
The guitar in America began as an instrument used in popular music in the city and then branched out to minstrel shows, ragtime, and even jazz. Read about the history of this ubiquitous instrument and how it took on its American character.
Library of Congress
Loc: The Gershwin Legacy: George and Ira Gershwin
With their famous music and lyrics, the Library of Congress presents an in depth exhibit of primary source materials from the Gershwin brothers.
PBS
Pbs: Cole Porter: You're the Top
A high school lesson plan designed to delve deeper into the life of Cole Porter and the meaning in his music.
Other
African American Registry: Rose Mc Clendon: A Builder of the Black Stage
A biography on the African American actress Rose McClendon (1884-1936 CE) who played a major role in the creation of a "Black Theater," in the United States.
Alabama Learning Exchange
Alex: The Bee's Knees of the 1920s
This is a culminating activity to an American history unit on "The Roaring 20s." Students will work in groups to research notable individuals from the 1920s and apply that knowledge to create a digital poster using Glogster. This poster...
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: Toolbox Library: Making of African American Identity: The Promised Land?
A short story and a painting illustrating African American perceptions of Northern cities. Rudolph Fisher's short story "The City of Refuge" and William H. Johnson's painting Moon over Harlem offer insight into life within the black...
National Humanities Center
National Humanities Center: America in Class: America in the 1920s: Only Yesterday Year by Year
The National Humanities Center presents collections of primary resources compatible with the Common Core State Standards - historical documents, literary texts, and works of art - thematically organized with notes and discussion...
ClassFlow
Class Flow: Review Quiz Over the 1920's
[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart has fifteen quiz questions on the culture, famous people and events of the 1920's.
Smithsonian Institution
National Postal Museum: Art of the Stamp: Laurel and Hardy
View the artwork for a U.S. postage stamp issued in 1991 to commemorate Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy. With a short passage on their contributions to both silent films and comedies.
Library of Congress
Loc: African American Odyssey: Harlem Renaissance and the Flowering of Creativity
A description of the African-American literary and musical boom known as the Harlem Renaissance after World War I and before World War II. Profiles some of the prominent figures involved in the movement.
Smithsonian Institution
National Postal Museum: Art of the Stamp: Mickey Mouse
View the artwork for a U.S. postage stamp issued in 2004 to commemorate Mickey Mouse's debut in "Steamboat Willie". With a short passage on Mickey's legendary 75 year history.
PBS
Pbs: American Experience: The Top Ten Race Horses of the 20th Century
A brief article on the accomplishments of Man o' War as the 1920 Horse of the Year.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Invention of the Teenager
It's hard to believe that there was not a phase known as adolescence until the 1920s. See how child labor laws and the automobile combined to spawn the teenager.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Decade That Roared
A very brief overview of the decade between the end of World War I and the Great Depression.
Shmoop University
Shmoop: The Great Gatsby: In a Nutshell
This site provides interesting background information into the 1920s when F. Scott Fitzgerald wrote the novel. Comparisons between Fitzgerald's life and the main character are also discussed.
Library of Congress
Loc: America's Story: President Harding Installed a Radio
This 3-page article explores the role of radio in the 1920s, and the day that President Harding installed a radio in the White House.
Siteseen
Siteseen: American Historama: Famous Flappers
Provides a summary and list of interesting facts about the famous flappers of the Roaring Twenties and the Jazz Age.
Digital History
Digital History: Formation of Modern American Mass Culture
A mass culture developed in America in the 1920s due to several factors. Read about the influence of radio, movies, and spectator sports in the adoption of common speech. Find out about the creativity of the time in literature and music.
Digital History
Digital History: Avant Garde
Synopsis of the huge cultural shifts that occurred in America in the 1920s in art, music, literature, and among intelligentsia.
Washington State University
Washington State University: Brief Timeline of American Literature and Events: 1920s
A side-by-side timeline of political and social history alongside literature of the time period. A very interesting look at the literature that reflected the times.