During the 1920's the emergence of the radio became huge. Between the years of 1923 and 1930, many American families bought radios for their homes. They began broadcasting things like popular music, classical music, sporting events, lectures, fictional stories, newscasts, weather reports, market updates, and political commentary. Radio stations like KYW enhanced a sense of community among different ethnic groups as each group could listen to programming suited to their interests and needs (Emergence of Radio in the 1920s and its Cultural Significance). However, the advance of radio technology also created a tension between modernity and the traditions and habits of Americans. Jazz music also became very popular in the 1920's. Jazz music originated from New Orleans but made its way north to big cities such as Chicago and New York (Dictionary of American History, 2003). Jazz helped African Americans express passionate expressions of social conditions. The Jazz Age characterized the sound of modernity because it emphasized the individual voice and had a great impact on genres and styles in the visual arts, including film, and modern literature. Lastly the emergence of a national culture made it so more people had time to do what they wanted to do (Cultural Themes: The 1920's & Modernity). Many families had more time to spend time together. Families that lived on farms or in more rural areas of America had more time to play together, read, sing around the piano, go to the park for picnics, and play sports like baseball. People who lived in the city had longer work hours during this time but, their salaries began to increase. Still today, many of these same activities and ideas are still around.
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