Music
Music during the Great Depression era focused on straying the minds of listeners off the troubling times, and the era is often described as the "Swing Era". Many would listen to genres such as "swing" to temporarily escape the pains of poverty stricken lives.
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Swing was a form of jazz that was performed by bands that included many instruments, which is why it is also often referred to as the "Big Band Era". Swing music also included uniform sounds from all of the instruments and the introduction of more rhythmic sounds with the hi-hat. An important element of swing music was scat, which artists would use as improvised, meaningless syllables to sing a part of a song. Swing music was not just for listening either, listeners also took on a form of dancing called "swing dancing".
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Swing dancing was an inexpensive way for Americans, during the Great Depression, to get together with others and have fun. Some popular swing names included Benny Goodman, Duke Ellington, Fletcher Henderson, and Ella Fitzgerald. Although swing music was popular, other music focused on the hardships of the Great Depression, such as in the song, "Brother, Can You Spare a Dime".
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Sports
Spectator sports such as horse racing, boxing, and baseball were at their height. Horse racing became legal in 15 more states between 1930 and 1939 which brought the total number of states to 21. The most popular horse of the decade, and perhaps American history is Seabiscuit (pictured right.) The segregated Negro League was said to be in its golden years. The Winter Olympics in 1934 renewed an interest in winter sports and the Conservation Civilians Corps, a federal program, built ski ramps and jumps and recreational facilities in National Parks. |
Leisure Activities
The lack of income among the common families of America made inexpensive hobbies popular. President Roosevelt made collecting stamps popular. Parlor games and board games also became increasingly popular. Gambling was a leisure activity, but also a hope for increasing income. Radio sets were at an all time high in the 1930s. By 1939, about 80 percent of the population owned radio sets. It was a cheap way to get entertainment from daily comical shows and music, and to keep up with the latest news. Other leisure activities included going to the movie theater. Most movie-goers wanted movies that would take them out of the Depression and into a different world. Shirley Temple was a favorite among the American people. All in all, just like the rest of life, Americans had to make what they could out of their funds.
Music image and information retrieved from following sites on 08/31/13:
http://www.redhotjazz.com/goodman.html
http://library.thinkquest.org/18602/history/swing/dellington/ellingtonstart.html
http://kclibrary.lonestar.edu/decade30.html
Seabiscuit image retrieved from http://www.sportplanet.com/sbb/apfas/30R.HTM on 09/03/13.
http://www.redhotjazz.com/goodman.html
http://library.thinkquest.org/18602/history/swing/dellington/ellingtonstart.html
http://kclibrary.lonestar.edu/decade30.html
Seabiscuit image retrieved from http://www.sportplanet.com/sbb/apfas/30R.HTM on 09/03/13.