3. In the 1920’s summer Olympics the United
States won 8 Gold medals in: Mens-100m
freestyle, 400m freestyle, 1500m
freestyle, 4x200m freestyle relay, 100m
backstroke. Women-
100m freestyle, 300m freestyle, and 4x100
freestyle relay.
In 1926 Olympic Gold medalist Gertrude
Ederle was the first woman to swim across
the English Channel. Her time of 14 hours 31
minutes was almost 2 hours faster than the
men’s record.
4. Tickets could hardly be sold.
A teammate in one game might be an
opponent in the next.
Harold “Red” Grange was a famous
running back for the university of Illinois.
He gained his reputation by running 4
touchdowns in the midst of 12 minutes
for a total of 263 yards.
5. Information on Boxing
The first boxing council was originated in only 12 countries.
These countries are the United States, Puerto
Rico, Argentina, Venezuela, United
Kingdom, Peru, France, Chile, Mexico, Panama, and the
Philippines.
There was two matches, by the same individuals, that
were famous. Jack Dempsey and Gene Tunney who both
were very experienced prize fighters. In Philadelphia, the
first match in 1926, Gene Tunney defeated Jack Dempsey.
In Chicago, the second match in 1927, Dempsey almost
knocked out Tunney but Tunney managed to stand on his
feet at the 9th count out of ten. Again Gene pulled
through and gained another victory, but this time leaving
ten Americans dead due to heart failure.
6. Information on Baseball
In the 1920’s baseball was at it’s “Golden Age”.
There were many ways that baseball was known around
the United states. Some of these ways are through radios
and newspapers.
Many other things impacted baseball like stability: the
teams were actually being established, Corks: the inner
core of the baseball was now being made of cork:
changing the emphasis of the game from pitching and
defense to hitting.
Babe Ruth was one of the greatest baseball players during
this time. Although he did not look like a baseball player
he was a great one. Babe’s batting average was a total
of .342 and a total of 714 home runs.
The Boston Red Sox as well were a wondrous team in the
20’s. They placed 5th in the American league and had a
record of 72 wins and 81 losses.
7. Information on Tennis
During the 1920s Bill Tilden and Helen Wills
largely dominated tennis in America.
Alongside these two tennis giants of the
decade were other talented players
who won major championships and who
provided Tilden and Wills with the
competition they required to develop
their own talents.
8. Information on Golfing
In 1922 Walter Hagen became the first
native born American to win the
British Open Championship, signaling
the USA’s Dominance of the game that
has yet to be seriously challenged.
9. Quiz
1. Why do you think Baseball was so popular
during the 1920’s?
2. How would you feel if you were listening to
the rematch of Jack Dempsey vs. Gene
Tunney?
3. Imagine you were in the 1920’s. What could
you invent to make football safer and more
enjoyable?
4. What are the pros and cons of being
Gertrude Ederle and swimming across the
English Channel?
5. What can you infer about Tennis in America?
