COVID reboots the roaring ‘20s

Social media apps were buzzing in the months leading up to the change of the decade with talk about how great the 2020s will be, because of how great the 1920s were. And how we should bring back the vibrant lives of people from a century ago. 

But 2020 hasn’t been all it was expected to be. Australian bush fires, murder hornets, and COVID-19 are just a few things we’ve experienced this year alone. On top of that we’ve seen the loss of celebrities that are loved by many, like Kobe Bryant and recently, Chadwick Boseman. With what we’ve faced throughout this first half of the decade; people are growing frustrated with the environment of the world. Some may be wishing they were born a century before now. 

People need to realize though that the 1920s weren’t the bee’s knees because of flappers or being able to get all dolled up. The 1920s were swell because people had a reason to celebrate and to do it like tomorrow wouldn’t come, because many likely believed it wouldn’t. 

On June 28, 1914, the Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria was assassinated along with his wife. Countries sprang into action following his death and the Great War had officially started exactly a month later. The United States joined the action on April 6, 1917 and the war ended a little over a year later on Nov. 11, 1918. 

Despite the fact that the United States was only present in the war for 18 months, according to encyclopedia.1914-1918-online.net, the United States experienced 116,516 deaths and about 320,000 sick and wounded soldiers. With the advancements in military technology, the war provided a shock to many people when men either didn’t return or returned with injuries.  

The war wasn’t the only event that caused many deaths. Because of the war, the Spanish Influenza spread around troops and the world in 1918. According to cdc.gov, one thirds of the world’s population, estimated at about 500 million people contracted the disease. The estimate of worldwide deaths was 50 million, the United States had about 675,000. 

Tragedy always paves the way for celebratory times, whether it’s tomorrow or a century before this year. Even prohibition originally brought great troubles for people, but eventually led to successful speakeasies. 

So, if any day you’re upset with the current health or political environment, just remember, the 1920s were lively for a reason. Bad days will come but the good times are just around the corner.