Historically significant individuals who made a difference

People of the 1920’s

The Harlem Renaissance

Cultural Changes in the 1920s

The Harlem RenaissanceCultural movement of the 1920s that consists of artistic African-American expressions in music, art and literature. Centered in the city of Harlem (in New York City, New York) this was a period of time when African-American culture flourished and became more main-stream than it had in years past.

Bessie SmithShe sat in with many of the greatest jazz musicians of all time, and was known as the Empress of the Blues. Her soulful, often melancholy songs were not exactly toe-tapping hits, but she was very popular among those who enjoyed her particular genre of music.

Duke Ellington

He was born in Washington, D.C., but he really became famous after moving to New York and taking a job playing piano at the Cotton Club in Harlem. His “swing” music was a major innovation in the history of jazz. Today, he is pictured on Washington DC’s quarter, standing next to his piano.

Jacob LawrenceHe really became famous during the 1940s and 1950s, but many of his paintings depict African-Americans during the Great Migration or in urban settings that happened in the 1920s. The paintings portray African-Americans in migration: moving from agricultural towns of the South, to Northern industrial cities with better paying jobs, carrying everything they owned – hoping for a fresh start.

Langston HughesAfrican-American poet who wrote of the struggles African-Americans faced. Although he was a young boy in the 1920s, he wrote of what he witnessed growing up and stories of his family and the racism they faced.

Dream DeferredWhat happens to a dream deferred?Does it dry upLike a raisin in the sun?Or fester like a sore--And then run?Does it stink like rotten meat?Or crust and sugar over--like a syrupy sweet?Maybe it just sagslike a heavy load.Or does it explode?

Louis ArmstrongHe was born in New Orleans around the turn of the century – he was orphaned and wasn’t certain when his exact birthday was. He became the most famous jazz musician and vocalist of his generation, and traveled the world playing his own unique style of music! He is almost always portrayed with his famous trumpet!

MusicCultural Changes in the 1920s

Aaron CoplandHe was an American composer, composition teacher, writer, and later in his career a conductor of his own and other American music. He was instrumental in forging a distinctly American style of composition, and is often referred to as "the Dean of American Composers". In addition to his ballets and orchestral works he produced music in many other genres including chamber music, vocal works, opera and film scores.

George GershwinHe was an American composer and pianist. His compositions spanned both popular and classical genres, and his most popular melodies are widely known, particularly on Broadway and other show tune venues. Among his best known works are the orchestral compositions Rhapsody in Blue (1924) and An American in Paris (1928), as well as the opera, Porgy and Bess (1935).

ArtCultural Changes in the 1920s

Georgia O’KeeffeAs a painter, her abstract imagery of the 1910s and early 1920s is among the most innovative of any work produced in the period by American artists. She revolutionized the tradition of flower painting in the 1920s by making large-format paintings of enlarged blossoms, presenting them close up as if seen through a magnifying lens.

Martha Graham

As a pioneer of modern dance and choreographer, Martha Graham created a style of dance where movement came from the soul.

Literature

Cultural Changes in the 1920s

F. Scott FitzgeraldHe was a member of a group of expatriate American authors known as “The Lost Generation.” He was the author of The Great Gatsby, a novel which many of America’s literary critics consider the greatest novel in American History. It showcased how life was in the 1920s for the rich and fabulous!

PoliticsPolitical Changes in the 1920s

Calvin Coolidge He was known as “Silent” Cal. While he was President during the 1920s, the United States was a very prosperous nation. Unfortunately, the United States economy was overproducing goods and rely too much on credit purchases – which eventually would cause a severe depression!

Clarence DarrowHe was an American lawyer and leading member of the American Civil Liberties Union, best known for defending John T. Scopes in the famous Scopes "Monkey" Trial of 1925.

Marcus GarveyHe was the leader of the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA). He was born in Jamaica, and trained as a printer before immigrating to the United States. While in the USA, he urged African-Americans to take pride in their culture, and started the “Back to Africa” Movement. He was subsequently deported back to Jamaica.

Nicola Sacco & Bartolomeo Vanzetti

Italian immigrants who were wrongfully accused of murder. These two were sentenced and EXECUTED despite there being NO evidence AND they had alibis that placed them in another city at the time of the murder! Sheesh! Unfortunately for them, the fact that they were anarchists was put on trial and that is why many believe they were killed.

The End