Wizards and witches, a history lesson. Pay attention. Pottermore has released a list of 20 things that wizards and muggles alike experienced for the first time in the 1920’s.
Pottermore has listed 20 things about the muggles and wizards in the 1920s in honor of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
1. Prohibition
The roaring 20’s only became the roaring 20’s because someone told them all not to, right? While for many the decade was one of prosperity and lavish, many Americans didn’t have quite the same experience. In January 1920, the 18th amendment passed, banning the production and sale of liquor across the US.
Subsequently, we got speakeasies, so who is the real winner?
2. Votes for women
Believe it or not, there was a period in time where women weren’t able to vote or rule the world quite so publicly. Women fought for their right to vote for many years, and it wasn’t until the 1920’s that America and England got with the feminist program. American women won their right to vote in 1920, and have been playing an active, public role in politics ever since.
3. Commercial radio
America’s first radio station (AM station WWJ) made it’s broadcasting debut on August 20, 1920 in Detroit, Michigan – and the world has never looked back.
"“Then called 8MK, the station operated under a standard amateur radio license. Its first known news programme was broadcast on 31 August 1920,” said Pottermore."
4. The NFL (National Football League)
Believe it or not, there was a time in history when states weren’t football rivals and families did not gather for Sunday night football games.
The National Football League (NFL) had its inaugural season in 1920, then known as the American Professional Football Association (APFA).
Today, the league boasts 32 teams across the country and a 17-week season every year – not to mention millions of dollars for each player contracted.
5. Agatha Christie
What and where would women authors and readers be without Agatha Christie?
"“In the UK, a woman with high standards of her own was preparing for publication,” according to Pottermore. “The Mysterious Affair at Styles was released in 1920, and within a few years Agatha Christie and her hero Hercule Poirot were as familiar a sight on British bookshelves as Harry Potter is now.”"
6. Charlie Chaplin
Film wouldn’t be what it is today without the infamous Charlie Chaplin. Chaplin’s first film, “The Kid,” was released in 1921, which he produced, directed and starred in.
From there, Chaplin starred or directed 35 films, and had a career spanning a lifetime.
7. The New York Yankees win
In October 1923, the New York Yankees won their very first World Series title – one they’ve gone on to win 26 more times throughout their history.
8. The Winter Olympics
"“It’s quite possibly the closest thing the No-Maj world has to a Triwizard Tournament: in 1924 France hosted the first ever winter Olympics, a celebration of sports played on snow and ice,” according to Pottermore."
Today, there have been 22 Winter Olympics held in 19 different cities across the world.
9. The New Yorker
Now world-famous magazine The New Yorker was started in 1925 by a young journalist named Harold Ross, something Ross “envisaged as a publication of ‘gaiety, wit and satire’.” The publication still thrives to this very day.
10. Television
Scottish inventor John Logie Baird demonstrated the first color television to the world in January 1926, and the world changed as we know it.
(Bless you, John Logie Baird. Thank you.)
11. Winnie-the-Pooh
Famous, adventurous little bear Winnie-the-Pooh first popped into our lives in 1926, based on author A.A. Milne’s son’s real life teddy bear. His son was the inspiration for Pooh’s owner and friend Christopher Robin.
12. Gertrude Ederle swims the English channel
"“In 1926, American competition swimmer Ederle became the first woman to swim the channel at the age of 19, completing it in 14 hours and 34 minutes,” according to Pottermore."
Over the years, there have been a total of 3,726 Channel swims, with 1,731 swimmers completing 2,256 solo swims.
13. The first movie soundtrack
It wasn’t always grand, sweeping, epic soundtracks that gripped our hearts. In 1926, Warner Bros.’ Don Juan – based on Lord Byron’s epic poem – became the first to have an instrumental score and sound effects. Boom.
14. The first talkie
Another thing movies didn’t exactly always have – speeches. (Scripts were a different beast back then, one would imagine.)
"“A year later, in October 1927, Warner Bros. secured another movie first.” said Pottermore. “The Jazz Singer was the first film to feature sound. A ‘part-talkie’, it features several synchronised musical numbers performed by the cast, and some speech.”"
15. Transatlantic flight
American pilot Charles ‘Lucky Lindy’ Lindbergh became the first person to fly a plane across the Atlantic in 1927.
"“He completed the journey in his plane, the Spirit of St Louis, flying from New York to Paris in 33-and-a-half-hours. Who needs magic, eh?” said Pottermore."
16. Music for the masses
The 20’s may have been swinging, but recorded music was still rare magic until 1928, when the first jukebox device made its debut. Music fans could play their favorite track from a choice of eight records and get grooving.
17. The first all-talking film
Once Warner Bros. was moving, there was no slowing down for them. In 1928 they released The Lights of New York, the first all-talking film, complete with full synchronised dialogue, music and sound effects.
18. Mickey Mouse
Cinematic legend Walt Disney first debuted Mickey Mouse in 1928, thanks to movie “Steamboat Willie.” Mickey went on to become the icon and face of all things Disney – and still is, to this day.
19. The Oscars
The iconic film awards ceremony The Oscars were first held in 1929 by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science, and have annually awarded the best of the best in the film industry ever since.
20. The Museum of Modern Art
"“Although the American economy well and truly tanked in 1929, there was one ray of hope in a city and a year that would become synonymous with the Wall Street Crash. Just days after that momentous occasion, New York became home to the Museum of Modern Art, which opened in Manhattan on 7 November.”"
Related Story: 10 Most Shocking Moments From Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
Preach, Pottermore.