The 1920s was a time of excitement and change in the United States and around the world. Known as the “Roaring Twenties,” this decade brought new ideas, fashion, and music. With jazz taking over the airwaves and flappers breaking social norms, the 1920s was a period that many still remember fondly. From the rise of cinema to the popularity of speakeasies, this era was full of interesting events and quirky facts.
Today, we will share some fun and surprising trivia about the 1920s. You might learn about famous people, unforgettable inventions, and how people lived during this incredible time. Whether you’re a history buff or just curious about the past, these tidbits will take you back to a decade filled with energy and innovation. So, sit back and get ready to uncover some delightful facts about the Roaring Twenties!
1920s Trivia
The Jazz Age: Sounds of the 1920s
1. What famous jazz musician was known as “Satchmo”? (Answer: Louis Armstrong)
2. Which genre of music became incredibly popular during the 1920s? (Answer: Jazz)
3. What dance craze took over the dance floors in the 1920s? (Answer: The Charleston)
4. Who was the famous jazz singer known for her phrase “The St. Louis Blues”? (Answer: Bessie Smith)
5. What New York venue became renowned for its jazz performances in the 1920s? (Answer: The Cotton Club)
6. Which instrument is synonymous with jazz music? (Answer: The saxophone)
7. What was a popular Prohibition-era drink often associated with jazz clubs? (Answer: Bathtub gin)
8. What global event in 1927 featured jazz artists on the radio? (Answer: The first-ever jazz radio broadcast)
9. Which famous jazz artist recorded “Rhapsody in Blue” in the 1920s? (Answer: George Gershwin)
10. Which female jazz artist earned the title “Queen of Jazz”? (Answer: Ella Fitzgerald)
Fashion Forward: Style of the Roaring Twenties
1. What style of dress became popular among women in the 1920s? (Answer: Flapper dresses)
2. What hairstyle was commonly worn by women in the 1920s? (Answer: Bobbed hair)
3. What accessory was essential for a fashionable woman in the 1920s? (Answer: Cloche hat)
4. Which brand popularized men wearing ready-to-wear suits in the 1920s? (Answer: Brooks Brothers)
5. What type of footwear was trendy among flappers? (Answer: Mary Janes)
6. Which fashion designer was known for the shift dress in the 1920s? (Answer: Coco Chanel)
7. What was the fashion mantra of the 1920s that emphasized freedom of movement? (Answer: “Less is more”)
8. What vibrant color palette was favored in 1920s fashion? (Answer: Jewel tones)
9. What type of jewelry became popular in the 1920s, often featuring feathers and fringe? (Answer: Art Deco)
10. What aspect of 1920s fashion was influenced by the women’s liberation movement? (Answer: Shorter hemlines)
Glamour and Fame: Icons of the 1920s
1. Who was the famous silent film actress known as “The Girl of the Golden West”? (Answer: Mary Pickford)
2. Which actor is celebrated for his role in the 1927 film “The Jazz Singer”? (Answer: Al Jolson)
3. What iconic fashion brand did designer Chanel launch in the 1920s? (Answer: Chanel No. 5)
4. Who was the author of “The Great Gatsby,” a defining novel of the 1920s? (Answer: F. Scott Fitzgerald)
5. Which film star and comedian became a symbol of the 1920s silent film era? (Answer: Charlie Chaplin)
6. Who was the first African-American woman to win an Academy Award in 1929? (Answer: Hattie McDaniel)
7. Which famous artist regularly performed at Parisian nightclubs during the 1920s? (Answer: Josephine Baker)
8. Who is known for their role in the 1920s silent film “The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari”? (Answer: Conrad Veidt)
9. What iconic singer was known as “The Empress of the Blues” in the 1920s? (Answer: Bessie Smith)
10. Who was the cartoonist famous for the “Little Orphan Annie” comic strip in the 1920s? (Answer: Harold Gray)
Innovations and Inventions: The 1920s Technology Wave
1. What electric appliance, introduced in the 1920s, transformed cooking at home? (Answer: Electric stove)
2. Which automobile company launched the famous Model T in the 1920s? (Answer: Ford)
3. What major form of entertainment was invented in the 1920s that changed the film industry? (Answer: Sound in films)
4. Which household item that helped with laundry became widely available in the 1920s? (Answer: Electric washing machine)
5. What was the first major commercial radio broadcast year? (Answer: 1920)
6. What popular convenience food was introduced in the 1920s? (Answer: Sliced bread)
7. Which invention made long-distance communication easier during the 1920s? (Answer: The car phone)
8. What new form of transportation was developed and became popular in the 1920s? (Answer: The airplane)
9. Which video format was popularized in the 1920s that changed how people viewed movies at home? (Answer: Silent film reels)
10. What important safety feature was introduced to cars in the 1920s? (Answer: The electric starter)
Social Changes: Flappers and the Modern Era
1. What term describes the young women who flaunted traditional values in the 1920s? (Answer: Flappers)
2. What significant contribution did women gain in 1920 in the United States? (Answer: The right to vote)
3. Which event in 1929 marked the end of the economic prosperity of the 1920s? (Answer: The Great Depression)
4. What social movement fought for the rights of workers in the 1920s? (Answer: Labor movement)
5. Which alcohol prohibition law was enacted in the U.S. during the 1920s? (Answer: The Volstead Act)
6. What term refers to the underground bars that served alcohol during Prohibition? (Answer: Speakeasies)
7. What was one of the first radio shows in the 1920s that gained popularity? (Answer: Amos ‘n’ Andy)
8. What medical breakthrough in the 1920s significantly improved health? (Answer: Insulin for diabetes)
9. Which social movement emphasized African-American cultural pride during the 1920s? (Answer: The Harlem Renaissance)
10. Who was the famous author that became a voice for the Black experience in the 1920s? (Answer: Langston Hughes)
Sporting Spirit: Sports in the Roaring Twenties
1. Who won the 1921 World Series with the New York Yankees? (Answer: New York Yankees)
2. What famous aviator made the first solo nonstop transatlantic flight in 1927? (Answer: Charles Lindbergh)
3. Who was known as “Babe” and became a baseball legend in the 1920s? (Answer: Babe Ruth)
4. In what year did the first Winter Olympics take place? (Answer: 1924)
5. Which sport gained massive popularity and was showcased by the legendary Jack Dempsey? (Answer: Boxing)
6. Which swimmer broke records and was nicknamed “The Dolphin”? (Answer: Eleanor Holm)
7. What annual college football game began in 1923 and is a famous rivalry matchup? (Answer: The Rose Bowl)
8. Who became a famous golfer and won the U.S. Open in 1923? (Answer: Bobby Jones)
9. What professional basketball league was formed in 1921? (Answer: The American Professional Basketball League)
10. Which sport was popularized by the Harlem Renaissance community during the 1920s? (Answer: Jazz Age Dance)
The Changing Landscape: Cities and Life in the 1920s
1. What city is often considered the cultural capital of the 1920s? (Answer: New York City)
2. Which significant transportation system was completed in New York City in the 1920s? (Answer: The subway system)
3. What event in Chicago in 1920 caused a sense of national excitement? (Answer: The Democratic National Convention)
4. Which city became known for its gangsters and speakeasies in the 1920s? (Answer: Chicago)
5. What architectural style defined skyscrapers built in the 1920s? (Answer: Art Deco)
6. What popular mode of transportation became accessible to everyday Americans during the 1920s? (Answer: The automobile)
7. Which type of buildings flourished in urban settings during the 1920s? (Answer: Skyscrapers)
8. What families in cities often faced hardships and organized for better living conditions in the 1920s? (Answer: Immigrant families)
9. Which river served as a significant artery for trade in the 1920s? (Answer: Mississippi River)
10. What city became a hotspot for artists and writers in the 1920s? (Answer: Paris)
Final Thoughts
The 1920s was a vibrant and transformative decade known for its cultural shifts, music, fashion, and technological innovations. The era introduced us to jazz, flappers, and significant societal changes, shaping modern America in many ways. Icons like Louis Armstrong and Coco Chanel redefined art and fashion, while events such as the Harlem Renaissance highlighted achievements in literature and art. Understanding this lively period helps us appreciate the legacy of the Roaring Twenties. For more fascinating trivia on a variety of topics, don’t hesitate to explore our 1920s trivia or dive into general decades trivia for a broader perspective.