35 questions and answers pertaining to one of the most transformative decades for American culture
Q1: Which U.S. President vetoed the Volstead Act in 1919?
A: Woodrow Wilson
Q2: In 1923, a Broadway musical opened that featured a musical number that launched the Charleston dance craze. What was this musical called?
A: “Runnin’ Wild”
Q3: The famous Route 66 was created in 1926. What two major cities sit at each of its ends?
A: Chicago and Los Angeles
Q4: In 1921, Ellis Island had to be quarantined after an outbreak of what disease?
A: Typhus
Q5: National Bootlegger’s Day falls on January 17th every year due to it being the birthday of what prolific prohibition era bootlegger?
A: Al Capone
Q6: In 1929, what popular cartoon character, known for his love of canned spinach, was created by Elzie Chrisler Segar?
A: Popeye
Q7: In the 1920s, Louis Armstrong, Bessi Smith, and Duke Ellington were pioneers in the creation of a new genre of American music, called what?
A: Jazz
Q8: Which constitutional amendment, ratified in 1920, gave women the right to vote?
A: The 19th Amendment
Q9: What historical event, which took place between 1914 and 1918, was one of the main driving forces behind prohibition?
A: World War I
Q10: This guy, who had several nicknames, including the Sultan of Swat and the Behemoth of Bust, donned the number 3 and was the biggest name in sports in the 1920s.
A: Babe Ruth
Q11: In 1928 Scottish physician and microbiologist Alexander Fleming was credited with the discovery of what antibiotic on an accidentally contaminated Staphylococcus culture plate?
A: Penicillin
Q12: In the November 1920 presidential election, a third party candidate received 3.4% of the vote despite being held in federal prison at the time. What was his name?
A: Eugene V. Debs
Q13: What was the term coined in reference to police officers who would turn a blind eye to the operation of speakeasies upon payment from speakeasy owners?
A: Blind pig
Q14: The very first Winter Olympics were held in 1924 in what country?
A: France
Q15: The Great Gatsby, written by F. Scott Fitzgerald was published in what year?
A: 1925
Q16: In 1925, public school teacher John T. Scopes was put on trial for teaching Darwin’s theory of evolution in what state?
A: Tennessee
Q17: What was the name of the Livermore establishment, which once sat where Saigon Cafe is now located, that was known for bootlegging during prohibition?
A: Yosemite Club
Q18: The first “talkie” film to be widely seen debuted in 1927 and starred Al Jolson, What was it called?
A: The Jazz Singer
Q19: Walt Disney’s famous Mickey Mouse cartoon character appeared for the first time in 1928 in what short animated film?
A: Steamboat Willie
Q20: After the death of Warren Harding, who was sworn in as president in 1923?
A: Calvin Coolidge
Q21: During prohibition, it was actually legal to make and drink wine at home, but there were limits on how much wine a home could produce. What was the yearly limit on at-home wine production during prohibition?
A: 200 gallons
Q22: In the 1920s, Americans’ fear of communist Russia’s political philosophies was called what?
A: Red Scare
Q23: In 1928, who became the first woman to successfully pilot an aircraft across the Atlantic Ocean?
A: Amelia Earhart
Q24: A year prior to Earhart’s historical flight, who became famous for being the first American to fly nonstop from New York City to Paris?
A: Charles Lindbergh
Q25: On Repeal Day, December 5th, 1933, what U.S. President exclaimed, “what America needs now is a drink!”?
A: Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR is an acceptable answer)
Q26: Women were given the right to vote nationwide in 1920, but was the first state to grant women the right to vote?
A: Wyoming
Q27: African-American culture, especially literature and music, flourished in the 1920s. What American neighborhood was particularly well-known for its hand in the renaissance of Black American culture?
A: Harlem
Q28: Between 1929 and 1933, in the United States, gross domestic product declined by 30% and unemployment reached more than 20%. This worldwide economic downturn, that ultimately lasted through the late 1930s, was known as what?
A: The Great Depression
Q29: According to the Volstead Act, intoxicating liquors were defined as anything containing what percentage of alcohol?
A: 0.5% alcohol (one half of one percent alcohol)
Q30: The first Academy Awards, also known as the Oscars, took place in Los Angeles in what year?
A: 1929
Q31: The tomb of the 18th Dynasty Pharaoh Tutankhamun, also known as “King Tut” was discovered by who in November 1922?
A: Howard Carter
Q32: In 1922, the Anglo-Irish Treaty, which resulted in Irish independence, was signed in what city?
A: London
Q33: The Volstead Act was named after the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, who was also strong proponent of temperance. What was his first name?
A: Andrew (full name Andrew Volstead)
Q34: On September 16th, 1920, what New York City spot was hit with a bomb, injuring hundreds of people?
A: Wall Street
Q35: Famed Magician Harry Houdini died on October 31st, 1926 due to what ailment?
A: Peritonitis, or a ruptured appendix