Famous People of the Twenties
Fast Facts: Famous People of the Twenties
Famous People of the Twenties
- Writers: Fitzgerald, Lewis, Hemingway
- Sports Heroes: Babe Ruth, Jack Dempsey
- Aviation: Charles Lindbergh’s solo flight
- Music: Jazz becomes popular nationwide
- Achievement: Gertrude Ederle swims the English Channel
At a Glance
- Writers captured the excitement and challenges of modern life.
- Sports stars became national celebrities through radio and newspapers.
- Gertrude Ederle became the first woman to swim the English Channel.
- Babe Ruth amazed fans with his powerful home runs.
- Charles Lindbergh completed the first solo flight across the Atlantic.
- Jazz music shaped the sound of the decade.
Writers of the Decade
Writers such as F. Scott Fitzgerald, Sinclair Lewis, and Ernest Hemingway became well known for their powerful stories and unique writing styles. Their books captured the excitement and challenges of modern life.
Sports Heroes
Sports were extremely popular during the 1920s. Gertrude Ederle became the first woman to swim across the English Channel. Babe Ruth amazed baseball fans with his home runs, while Jack Dempsey became a famous boxing champion. Football star Red Grange, tennis champion Bill Tilden, and golfer Bobby Jones were also major sports heroes.
Aviation Takes Off
Aviation made headlines when Charles Lindbergh flew his plane, The Spirit of St. Louis, from New York to Paris in just over 33 hours. His solo flight across the Atlantic made him an international celebrity.
Jazz and Music
Jazz music grew in popularity during the decade. Musicians such as Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington helped make jazz the most exciting and influential music of the 1920s.
A Decade of Talent
The famous people of the 1920s helped shape a decade full of energy, creativity, and new ideas. Their achievements continue to inspire people today.
Word Match
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Vocabulary Words
Definitions
Lesson 3 — Famous People of the Twenties Quiz
Activities & Extensions
Students complete a three‑way matching activity to connect each famous person from the 1920s with their photograph and a short description of their achievement. This activity reinforces recognition, comprehension, and historical significance.
How to Do It: Prepare three sets of cards:
- Picture Cards: photos or illustrations of each person
- Name Cards: F. Scott Fitzgerald, Ernest Hemingway, Sinclair Lewis, Babe Ruth, Jack Dempsey, Gertrude Ederle, Charles Lindbergh, Louis Armstrong, Duke Ellington
- Description Cards: short summaries of each person’s achievement
Students work individually or in pairs to match all three components. For added engagement, turn it into a gallery walk where cards are posted around the room.
Materials: printed cards or digital slides, notebook, pencil
Optional Extension: Students choose one person and write a short paragraph explaining why that individual became a national hero during the Roaring Twenties.
Students create a collectible‑style trading card for one famous person from the 1920s. This activity blends art, writing, and historical research while giving students a creative way to show what they learned.
How to Do It: Each trading card should include:
- a portrait or illustration of the person
- birth and death years (if applicable)
- a short list of key achievements
- a “Why They Matter” summary written in student‑friendly language
Students may design their cards by hand or digitally. Encourage them to use bold colors and simple layouts similar to vintage baseball cards.
Materials: index cards or cardstock, colored pencils or markers, notebook, pencil
Optional Extension: Students trade cards with classmates and write a short comparison of two individuals, explaining how each contributed to the culture of the Roaring Twenties.
The Roaring Twenties Navigation
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