Half way through the year! The Fourth of July can mean cookouts with friends, swimming in the local creek or lake, having a picnic and viewing fireworks. Just think, only six months till Christmas. But onto our Blog…
History has always fascinated me. I wonder what it was like growing up during the thirties. After a bit of research from History.com, I found out some interesting facts.
The stock market crash occurred in 1929. Many lost money and everything they had. This helped to put the country into a Great Depression. What were some of the ways our country was impacted? It came after WWI and before WWII. Could America become involved in the war in Europe to help the economy of the United States? Perhaps.
So… what was life like during the years from 1929 to 1939? (The Stock Market Crash until the beginning of WWII in Europe.) We officially got involved when Pearl Harbor was bombed on December 7, 1941. My mother told the story of laying on the floor with my Aunt Nancy at their Aunt and Uncle’s house, perhaps reading a magazine (such as the “Saturday Evening Post, which was published weekly), and listening to the radio. They received the news via radio about Pearl Harbor. This must have been a very scary time.
We could compare Pearl Harbor to September 11, 2001. I remember wondering if the US would be attacked. I had about a 45 minute drive from my school in Riverview, FL. After speaking to a former Lt. Colonel, who worked at the school, he assured me that fighter planes would be ready for takeoff. I felt a bit better about driving home.
Back to the 1930’s.
The Roaring Twenties were a time of when our economy boomed. New inventions gave people more time. Perhaps they had a washing machine, and no longer had to wash their clothes by hand then hang them out to dry. Even though the latest invention washed the clothes in a tub with an agitator, they still needed to be put through a wringer to get out the water. I remember my grandma had a wringer washer (as she called it). The Roaring Twenties were a “boom” time. We now lose a button on a shirt, and get rid of the shirt. Something doesn’t fit, we get rid of it. And it goes on and on. Could we learn something from this time period in history?
People grew vegetables in kitchen gardens, which helped to put food on the table. Cities and towns even delegated land for these gardens. There were struggles in keeping your home or car. About one third of the movie theaters closed. Trips to the movies were sacrificed for more important items that the family needed. Radio, newspapers, and magazines helped to keep the public informed of what was happening in the world. Sometimes it would take awhile to get the news. Remember no CNN or Fox News reporting on the spot.
As mentioned above, “The Saturday Evening Post” came out every Saturday. I vaguely remember this magazine, but Norman Rockwell’s paintings about life in America graced the cover. The inside of the publication had many pictures of what was happening in our world.
Potluck suppers became very popular with delicacies like macaroni and cheese, casseroles, one pot meals, and the great chipped beef on toast. (Yes, I remember my mother making that. She liked it.)
Board games such as Monopoly, Scrabble and Checkers became very popular. (Remember no money for the movies.) These games are still popular today. I remember playing Monopoly with my brother and sisters. We would argue, mom would get upset, and the game would be put away! Deja Vu.
What about the radio? There were comedy shows, soap operas, and news programs that people would tune into each day. Imagine gathering around the radio in the living room, and hearing the latest news, or just laughing with a comedy show such as “Amos and Andy” or a mystery program such as “The Shadow”.
More women began entering the work force in the United States. This would bring the family more income. Stay at home moms soon became working moms and being very busy. (Just like today.)
The above was just a peek into those times. Let me tell you about my dad.
Dad was born around 1918. I remember being told that he quit school and helped support the family. He cleaned whiskey vats for a bootlegger named Prince Farrington. (Yes, that was really his name, and a Robin Hood of Central Pennsylvania.) I remember him always working. If dad was laid off or out of work, he found something that paid to support his family. We always had shoes, clothing and food on the table. Six kids and I don’t know how mom and dad did it.
Part of President Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal Program had a program called the CCC Camps (Civilian Conservation Camps) The New Deal was developed by the president to help the economy of the States. My dad joined one of these camps, which were established in 1933 and closed in 1942. They were meant to put single young men between the ages of 18 to 25 to work. The men would be issued clothing, fed meals, and given a place to sleep. The pay was $30 a month, which most of it was sent home to support their families. In the State of Pennsylvania, where I was born and grew up, there were 194,500 workers.
The CCC Camps all over the United States built roads, state parks, campgrounds, and planted trees. Skills were learned from foresters, carpenters, etc. Parks were built near big cities in order to give the urban dwellers a place to go and enjoy. When WWII began, the camps were closed, as the men went directly into the service.
I believe this was a period in our history that was very hard for people, but they found ways to survive. Remember it is sink or swim —- always choose to swim.
Until next week.
Blessings from The Blogging Grandma