In the news1919–1939
Council Housing Construction Began in 1919
Following the 1919 Housing Act, local authorities began building council houses to replace slums, with over 1 million built by 1939.
London, 27 Jan 1928 – Palm Beach, 10 Feb 2004
8 facts2 sources
27 Jan 1928
Born in London
10 Feb 2004
Dies in Palm Beach, aged 76
He lived through 9 decades. Pick one to hear and see what it was like around London.
General history, not a record about the family: each item says where it comes from.
Who governed
President of the United States, 1923–1929 · United States
President of the United States, 1929–1933 · United States
In the news1919–1939
Following the 1919 Housing Act, local authorities began building council houses to replace slums, with over 1 million built by 1939.
Music
Popular wartime dance routines
The Hokey Cokey became a hit song and dance routine in 1942, featuring simple actions that allowed for mass participation by anyone. Other popular wartime dances included the conga, which was easily mastered with a simple one, two, three kick format.
Around the world · 1929–1939The Great Depression. The Wall Street Crash of 1929 set off a world depression: banks failed, work vanished and coffee prices collapsed in Brazil.
Daily life
Schooling and Classroom Life
Schools often lacked lunches, so children in winter brought a potato marked with their initials to be baked in the school coal-oven. Pupils were taught using rote learning, and in smaller schools, might start by writing in trays of sand before using chalkboards or expensive pencils.
In the news1918–1928
In 1918, a limited number of women were allowed to vote, and by 1927 all women over 21 were granted the right to vote.
What people wore
Working-class menswear habits
Working-class men often wore their father's old suits for manual labor, leading to common sights of mismatched coats and trousers.
Getting around
Short branch line train travel times
A local branch line train between Oxenholme and Windermere stopped at three intermediate stations over a 10-mile distance, with the journey taking 25 to 30 minutes.