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On the date

Tuesday, November 30, 1920

From the day

Perspective: The Teenager · Tactile

The rough wool of my drop-waisted frock itches against my skin as I slide my cheaters onto the bridge of my nose to check the headlines about those greedy bankers. It’s a swell afternoon to stay in and brush the yarn hair of my new Raggedy Andy, listening to the static of the radio while the house smells of yeast and floor wax. Everything is getting so dear these days that Ma nagged me for over an hour because I spent $0.11 on a single loaf of bread instead of walking three blocks to the cheaper bakery. I just ignored her and hummed "Whispering" under my breath, dreaming of the day I can finally bob my hair and trade these sturdy boots for silk stockings.

Memories from that day

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The Headlines

ASKS $50,000 BONUS FOR CITY WORK LOAN; Hudson Trust Co.'s Demand Was Addition to Interest, Contractor Testifies. COULDN'T GET MONEY HERE "City Slow Pay," Banks Said, Witness Tells Estimate Board --Curran Quits Inquiry.

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

38,538 days ago

(105 years, 213 days)