Play Guide [356k PDF] - Arizona Theatre Company

The Great GatsbyTIMELINEJune 28, 1919 The Treaty of Versailles is signed, officiallyending the First World War.1920 The Good Humor Bar is introduced. Customerswent wild for the taste of this chocolate coveredice cream treat on a stick.1920 U.S. food prices fall 72% over the next twoyears causing devastating losses for farmers andfood sellers.1920 Countless unwitting investors are victimized byCharles Ponzi“The Ponzi Scheme.” Financial wizard CharlesPonzi made the incredible claim that he could offer a 50% return oninvestments in the first forty-five days and a 100% return after ninety. Heclaimed to be using the investments to purchase reply coupons in Spainfor a penny and then reselling them for six cents. He was exposed as afraud and investors lost an average of 88% of their initial investment.Ponzi received a three and a half year sentence and his name has becomesynonymous with pyramid schemes and scams.1920 The Harlem Renaissance flourishes bringing new African American artistsinto recognition and popularity.1920 Babe Ruth joins the New York Yankees. In hisfirst year he hit 54 home runs and set a newMajor League record for his slugging average.1920 The Ford Model T, which had been wildlypopular since it entered the auto marketin 1908, now offers a battery starter as anoptional upgrade.Iconic baseball player GeorgeHerman “Babe” RuthJan 10, 1920Aug 18, 1920The League of Nations holds its first meetingto formally ratify the Treaty of Versailles. TheUnited States Senate votes against joining theLeague of Nations.The 19th Amendment is passed, grantingwomen the right to vote. No longer quietcompanions, women begin to take activeroles in the democratic process. Malepoliticians begin to have to adjust to a vastlydifferent population of voters.Arizona Theatre Company Play Guide 35