1924 News and Interesting Tidbits

Olympic Games 1924
The Summer Olympic Games of the VIII Olympiad are held in Paris, France
This is the Olympic Games where the British runners Harold Abrahams and Eric Liddell raced for the gold medals and their stories are depicted in the 1981 movie Chariots of Fire.

Johnny Weissmuller wins his first gold medal in 100-meters freestyle and goes on to win Gold in the 400-meters freestyle and as part of the 800-meters US freestyle relay team.

Kristiania Changes Name To Oslo
Kristiania the largest city and capital of Norway changed it's name to Oslo in 1924

Indian Citizenship Act
The Indian Citizenship Act , which confers citizenship on all Native Americans born within the territorial limits of the country is passed in Congress.

Emperor Hirohito
Hirohito becomes the 124th Emperor of Japan, succeeding his father, Emperor Yoshihito.

First Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade
The first Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade is a great success with a quarter of a million people turning out to watch the parade and staff from Macy's dress up in colorful costumes, include bands and animals from Central Park Zoo and march to Macy's flagship store on 34th Street, becoming an annual event watched by millions.

France's World War I Debt
France’s World War I wartime debt to Great Britain amounted to 623,000,000 pounds and the French also owed the United States 798,000,000 pounds. Although the British government was going to approach France about repaying its debts, the British public was skeptical that France would ever pay anything back.

Paris Fashions
The most recent trend in women’s fashion is to make clothes out of the hides of African animals. The latest find in Paris is to weave into women’s costumes just as many trophies of the jungle as the ingenious dress designers, milliners, and shoe and glove makers can find ways of doing.

First Presidential Radio Address
Calvin Coolidge became the first U.S. president to deliver an address by radio. This was the first day that radio programming had included commercials. The National Carbon Company had aired an advertisement during the broadcast of The Everyday Hour. This first sponsored program was heard in New York, Washington, Province, and surrounding areas. This show featured celebrity appearances, music, and stories.

Hoof and Mouth Epidemic
An increased number of Hoof and Mouth Cases are being reported in the current epidemic with and additional 200 plus cows reported with the disease each day in California alone.

Ellis Island Starts Closes as Immigration Gateway
Ellis Island in New York closes after providing the gateway for 12 million immigrants from 1892 - 1924. From 1924 to 1954 it was mostly used as a detention and deportation center for illegal immigrants

1924 Election Funds
The current election funds for the Democrats and Republican parties have been released for the upcoming national elections .


Democrats $750,000


Republican $3,000,000

J. Edgar Hoover
J. Edgar Hoover is appointed by President Calvin Coolidge to be the Sixth director of the Bureau of Investigation (BOI), the name is changed to the FBI in 1936 and J. Edgar Hoover becomes the first director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and served until 1972.

New World Record Transatlantic Crossing

The new ZR-3 Dirigible Airship from the Zeppelin Corporation has today set a new world record for transatlantic flight from Germany to The United States covering 5,066 miles and averaging 62.35 MPH, she is now tied securely at Lakehurst New Jersey swaying from side to side and has proved the feasibility of Trans Atlantic Flight .

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