Category Archives: 1920s

WEAF in New York City makes first-ever broadcast of a radio commercial 100 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 28 1922)

1920s


Video: 'The First Radio Commerical'

(Monday, August 28, 1922, 5:15 p.m. EDT) — WEAF (now WFAN) of New York City, owned by the Western Electric subsidiary of AT&T, made the first-ever broadcast of an advertisement today — a radio commercial for a newly opened Queensboro Apartments complex in the Jackson Heights neighborhood of Queens, near the just-completed #7 subway line. Continue reading WEAF in New York City makes first-ever broadcast of a radio commercial 100 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 28 1922) →

Irish revolutionary Michael Collins shot to death in ambush by anti-Treaty forces 100 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 22 1922)

1920s


Video: 'IRELAND: IRA leader Michael Collins killed in ambush (1922)'

(Tuesday, August 22, 1922, as Collins’ convoy approached Béal na Bláth between 7:30 and 8:00 p.m. Irish Standard Time; during the Irish Civil War, part of the Irish revolutionary period) — Michael Collins, a founder of the Irish Republican Army and a key figure in Ireland’s independence movement, was shot to death today in an ambush at Béal na Bláth in County Cork, Ireland, apparently by Irish Republican Army members opposed to the Anglo-Irish Treaty that Collins had co-signed. Continue reading Irish revolutionary Michael Collins shot to death in ambush by anti-Treaty forces 100 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 22 1922) →

The Hollywood Bowl amphitheater officially opens in Los Angeles 100 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 11 1922)

1920s


Video: 'The Hollywood Bowl celebrates 100 years'

(Tuesday, July 11, 1922, 8:15 p.m. PDT) — The Hollywood Bowl, a natural amphitheater in the Hollywood Hills neighborhood of Los Angeles, officially opened tonight as conductor Alfred Hertz and the Los Angeles Philharmonic inaugurated the first season of music under the stars. Continue reading The Hollywood Bowl amphitheater officially opens in Los Angeles 100 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 11 1922) →

Warren G. Harding becomes first U.S. president to be heard on radio 100 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 14 1922)

1920s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Warren Harding radio broadcast'

(Wednesday, June 14, 1922, scheduled for 4:30 p.m. EDT) — Warren G. Harding became the first U.S. president heard on radio today, as Baltimore station WEAR broadcast his speech dedicating a memorial to Francis Scott Key, who wrote the lyrics for “The Star-Spangled Banner,” at Fort McHenry in Baltimore. Continue reading Warren G. Harding becomes first U.S. president to be heard on radio 100 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 14 1922) →

Lincoln Memorial dedicated on National Mall in Washington, D.C. 100 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 30 1922)

1920s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Lincoln Memorial Dedication May 30, 1922'

(Tuesday, May 30, 1922, 2:30 p.m. EDT) — The Lincoln Memorial, a U.S. national memorial built to honor the 16th president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln, was dedicated today on the western end of the National Mall in Washington, D.C., across from the Washington Monument. Continue reading Lincoln Memorial dedicated on National Mall in Washington, D.C. 100 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 30 1922) →

U.S. Interior Secretary Albert B. Fall signs secret deal that results in Teapot Dome scandal 100 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 7 1922)

1920s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Teapot Dome: The Watergate Before Watergate'

(Thursday, April 7, 1922) — The Teapot Dome scandal, a bribery scandal involving the administration of U.S. President Warren G. Harding, had its beginnings today as Interior Secretary Albert B. Fall signed a secret deal to lease U.S. Navy petroleum reserves in Wyoming and California to his friends, oilmen Harry F. Sinclair and Edward L. Doheny, in exchange for cash gifts. Continue reading U.S. Interior Secretary Albert B. Fall signs secret deal that results in Teapot Dome scandal 100 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 7 1922) →

98 people killed when roof collapses at Knickerbocker Theatre in Washington, D.C. during blizzard 100 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 28 1922)

1920s


Video: 'Disasters Of The Century | Season 4 | Episode 10 | Knickerbocker Theatre Collapse | Ian Coulson'

(Saturday, January 28, 1922, a few minutes before 9:00 p.m. EST; during the Knickerbocker storm) — Ninety-eight people were killed and another 133 were injured tonight when the roof of the Knickerbocker Theatre in Washington, D.C. collapsed under the weight of 29 inches of snow that had fallen in the first 28 hours of a blizzard. Continue reading 98 people killed when roof collapses at Knickerbocker Theatre in Washington, D.C. during blizzard 100 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 28 1922) →

Actress Betty White born in Oak Park, Illinois 100 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 17 1922)

1920s


Video: 'Remembering Betty White'

(Tuesday, January 17, 1922) — Actress and comedian Betty White, a pioneer of early television with a career spanning seven decades, was born Betty Marion White today in Oak Park, Illinois. Continue reading Actress Betty White born in Oak Park, Illinois 100 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 17 1922) →

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier dedicated by President Harding at Arlington National Cemetery 100 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 11 1921)

1920s, World War I


Video: 'Tomb of The Unknown Soldier WWI Archival'

(Friday November 11, 1921; Armistice Day) — Three years to the day after an Armistice ended what was then called The Great War, the remains of an unidentified American service member brought back from France were interred today in a Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia during a ceremony presided over by President Warren G. Harding. Continue reading Tomb of the Unknown Soldier dedicated by President Harding at Arlington National Cemetery 100 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 11 1921) →

U.S. signs famine relief agreement with Soviet Russia 100 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 20 1921)

1920s


Video: 'The Great Russian famine of 1921 | Communism | USSR | Soviet Union | 4K'

(Saturday, August 20, 1921, 11:30 a.m. RMT; during the Russian famine of 1921–1922) — An agreement between the the United States and Soviet Russia providing for American relief for the famine stricken districts of Russia was signed this morning at the office of Latvia Prime Minister Zigfrids Meierovics in Riga, Latvia. Continue reading U.S. signs famine relief agreement with Soviet Russia 100 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 20 1921) →