What Happened in 1923
Historical Highlights of 1923
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Teapot Dome Scandal – The scandal involved the illegal leasing of federal oil reserves, which became a major political scandal in the U.S. during President Warren G. Harding’s administration.
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The Birth of the Hollywood Sign – The iconic Hollywoodland sign was erected in Los Angeles as an advertisement for a real estate development, eventually becoming a symbol of the film industry.
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Time Magazine is Founded – Time, the influential news magazine, was first published on March 3, 1923.
Pop Culture & Fun Facts from 1923
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"Yes! We Have No Bananas" – This catchy tune became a huge hit in 1923, widely recognized as one of the top songs of the year.
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The Rise of Flapper Fashion – The flapper look, characterized by short bobbed hair, loose dresses, and a carefree attitude, gained immense popularity, defining the fashion of the decade.
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"The Great Gatsby" is Published – F. Scott Fitzgerald published his first novel, "This Side of Paradise", in 1923, capturing the spirit of the jazz age and setting the tone for his future works.
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The Crossword Puzzle Craze – Crossword puzzles became a massive fad in the U.S. in 1923, with The New York Times starting to publish them regularly.
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The Birth of the Harlem Globetrotters – In 1923, the Harlem Globetrotters were founded as a basketball team, eventually becoming one of the most iconic sports entertainment groups.
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Radio Drama Becomes Popular – Radio began featuring serialized storytelling, with "The Lone Ranger" making its debut in 1923, introducing a new form of entertainment to American families.
Science & Inventions of 1923
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The First Radio Broadcast of a Sports Event – In 1923, KDKA in Pittsburgh broadcast a live baseball game to an audience of listeners, marking a significant moment in sports radio history.
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The First Electric Refrigerator – General Electric introduced the first home-use electric refrigerator, marking a major milestone in domestic technology.
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First Radio Receiver with a Loudspeaker – Lee De Forest invented the Audion, a triode vacuum tube that made it possible for radio receivers to have loudspeakers, allowing for better sound quality in radio broadcasts.
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First Non-Stop Transatlantic Flight – Capt. John Alcock and Lt. Arthur Whitten Brown completed the first non-stop transatlantic flight from Newfoundland to Ireland in June 1923, paving the way for future air travel advancements.
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The First Mobile Phone (Prototype) – Nikola Tesla developed early concepts for the mobile phone, although it was far from practical or commercial at the time.
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The First Electric Car with a Self-Starter – Charles Kettering developed the self-starter for cars, which was introduced by Cadillac, making electric and gasoline cars much easier to start.
Sports Highlights of 1923
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The Birth of the New York Yankees Dynasty – The New York Yankees dominated baseball, with Babe Ruth leading the team to a remarkable season, setting the stage for their future legendary status.
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The New York Yankees Win the World Series – The Yankees, led by Babe Ruth, defeated the New York Giants to win the 1923 World Series, marking their first championship at Yankee Stadium, which had just opened that year.
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First NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament – The first official NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament was held in 1923, laying the groundwork for what would become one of the most prestigious college sports events in the world.
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The Stanley Cup – The Ottawa Senators won the Stanley Cup by defeating the Boston Bruins, continuing their dominance in the early years of the NHL.
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The First NFL Championship Game – The 1923 NFL Championship Game was played between the Canton Bulldogs and the Chicago Bears. Though there were some informal games in previous seasons, this is often regarded as the start of official championship games in the NFL.
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Bill Tilden Wins U.S. Tennis Championships – Bill Tilden won the U.S. Men’s Singles Tennis Championship in 1923, a key achievement in his career as one of the top tennis players of the era.
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Jack Dempsey Retains Heavyweight Title – Jack Dempsey, the world heavyweight boxing champion, successfully defended his title in 1923, solidifying his place as one of the top boxers of the time.
Top Songs of 1923
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"Yes! We Have No Bananas" – Frank Silver and Irving Cohn
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"Me and My Shadow" – Al Jolson and Buddy DeSylva
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"I'm Sitting on Top of the World" – Al Jolson
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"Baby Face" – Jan Garber
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"What'll I Do?" – Irving Berlin
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"I'm Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter" – Fats Waller
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"Ragtime Cowboy Joe" – Gene Austin
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"The Sheik of Araby" – The Paul Whiteman Orchestra
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"Alexander's Ragtime Band" – Irving Berlin, performed by various artists including the Paul Whiteman Orchestra
Top Movies of 1923
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"The Ten Commandments" – Directed by Cecil B. DeMille
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"Safety Last!" – Starring Harold Lloyd
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"The Hunchback of Notre Dame" – Starring Lon Chaney
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"Steamboat Willie" – A Walt Disney animated short featuring Mickey Mouse
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"The Covered Wagon" – Directed by James Cruze
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"The Gold Rush" – Directed by and starring Charlie Chaplin
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"The Phantom of the Opera" – Starring Lon Chaney
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"Our Hospitality" – Directed by and starring Buster Keaton
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"The Age of Innocence" – Directed by D.W. Griffith
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