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On the date

Wednesday, May 19, 1920

From the day

Perspective: The Anxious Local · Sound

The rhythmic static of the new commercial radio echoes down the alley, nearly drowning out the frantic headlines about that "big cheese" Obregon and his boastful thievery down south. I clutched my thin rayon shawl tight, shivering as the baker demanded **$0.11** for a single loaf; it feels like everyone has an "itching palm" these days, just looking for a fall guy to fleece. Between the shrill whistles of the Ford Model Ts and the distant, tinny melody of "Whispering" drifting from a neighbor's window, the world sounds much too loud and expensive. Even the sight of a simple Raggedy Andy in the shop window feels like a taunt while the price of basic grain keeps climbing.

Memories from that day

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The Headlines

OBREGON, UP FROM PEAS AND POVERTY TO POWER AND RICHES; Proud of His Itching Palm, He Boasts, 'All of Us Are Thieves, More or Less, Down Here.' HAD TWO ITCHING PALMS One, Blown Off, Still Itched After That--'Now I Can't Steal So Fast They Like Me More.' A DEALER IN CHICK-PEAS Of Whom Fortune Made a Soldier to Conquer Villa and Overthrow Carranza. Luncheon with the National Here. OBREGON, UP FROM PEAS AND POVERTY Close-Up of the Idol. Villa, Defeated, Almost Forgotten. Obregon's Debut in Chick-peas. All of Us Thieves, More or Less." Joke of the Itching Palm. The Ambassador's Missing Watch.

Read in The New York Times →

Best-selling Sheet Music

Whispering

John Schonberger

The must-have

Raggedy Andy

Slang

Slang of the decade

General

applesaucebaloneycheaterscrush

Flapper

bee's kneescat's pajamasgiggle watershebahotsy-totsy

Gangster

big cheesebump offstool pigeongatfall guy

Catchphrases of 1920

  • Return to normalcy

Tech Check

Commercial Radio Stations (KDKA), Hair Dryer & Band-Aid.

Style of 1920

Silhouette: Straight and drop-waisted (Flapper)

Material: Beaded silk and rayon

  • Bobbed hair
  • Cloche hats
  • T-strap heels

Cost of Living (1920)

Loaf of Bread

$0.11

Gallon of Gas

$0.30

Average Home

$6,296

New Car

$575

Meanwhile

  • Post-WWI RecessionSevere deflation and collapse of agricultural prices.

Time Elapsed

38,733 days ago

(106 years, 43 days)