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On the date

Monday, October 4, 1920

From the day

Perspective: The Teenager · Sight

The streetlights catch the sequins on my straight-cut chemise, casting sharp glints against my bobbed hair as I dodge a puddle on my way to the dance hall. Pops is scowling at the morning paper, grumbling about how the Lenin faction wins Italian socialism and a big split is now inevitable, but I only care that I’ve pinned my cloche hat just right. This new rayon dress is truly the bee’s knees, fluttering around my T-strap heels as I hum "Whispering" under my breath. The world is changing faster than the headlines can keep up, and as long as there’s jazz playing, Moscow can wait.

Memories from that day

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The Headlines

LENIN FACTION WINS ITALIAN SOCIALISM; Executive Council Adheres to the Moscow Internationale by Vote of 7 to 5. BIG SPLIT NOW INEVITABLE National Congress to be Held in December Will Have Final Decision on Party's Course.

Read in The New York Times →

Best-selling Sheet Music

Whispering

John Schonberger

The must-have

Raggedy Andy

On This Day

  • The Mannerheim League for Child Welfare, a Finnish non-governmental organization, is founded on the initiative of Sophie Mannerheim.

    Wikipedia →

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

38,595 days ago

(105 years, 270 days)