The 1918 Pandemic Led To The “Roaring ’20s” And This Twitter Thread Explores The Possibility Of History Repeating Itself
Someone somewhere came up with a saying that great troubles are followed by great celebrations (and vice versa). It’s probably especially relevant nowadays as we see more struggles and less parties—Christmas being the most recent downfall—and our eyes are inadvertently turning towards a better tomorrow. And what could be a more high-key way to commemorate the end of a (quite frankly) distressing time than hosting a brilliant, wild, and untamed celebration!
And it’s not just wishful thinking: the idea to chase away the blues after a prolonged pandemic stems from history itself. Back in the 1920s, there was a decade-long twofold celebration—people were happy to have survived the great war and the following illness, and were ready show off their joy by embracing culture like never before. And as this Twitter post that went viral shows, there’s a lot of pent-up energy just waiting to be released.
This woman on Twitter recently ended up starting a debate about the modern possibility of the Roaring 20s happening after the pandemic
Image credits: JenniDigital
A century ago, a pandemic swept through the world and what followed was a period of great dynamism
Image credits: sterneck
Here’s a little history lesson for you all: in 1918, right after WWI, the Spanish Flu swept through the world, causing devastation and taking countless lives. It took two years to curb the illness, and in 1920, the recovery began. The coming decade brought modernity with it, with plenty of cultural and artistic progress. It’s not called the Roaring ’20s for nothing! This was a time of celebration, of enjoying the freedom after a long period of despair and loss.
Image credits: sterneck
In America, the Roaring ’20s kick-started jazz and saw an increase of wealth and economy growth. Women could enjoy being less restricted than they were in previous periods and the overall mood between the people was that of liberation (as long as you didn’t drink, because Prohibition was also a thing). Granted, it only lasted until 1929 when the Great Depression hit (but that’s a story for another time).
The coming years might become a replica of the Roaring ’20s due to the societal impact of both pandemics
Image credits: smezz
Similar to the Spanish Flu, the current pandemic that has taken away the simple act of going outside and enjoying time with other people will likely bring about another version of the Roaring ’20s. Granted, it won’t be as extensive or as impactful, but it’ll still be filled with the same hope.
All the parties we missed, family celebrations that had to be delayed, the hugs we have to give out! It will all happen one way or another, and some are suggesting that this might start a new version of the celebratory decade, more in tune with the current age, but just as fun.
127.9K People on Twitter are ready to start their own version of the Roaring ’20s
Image credits: XavierOnassis1
People were eager to comment their agreement beneath the original post. There were those who said their ordinary celebration had already started, and there were those who cautioned against jumping into things without a thought.
With thousands of comments and more than 1m likes, it’s clear that the post inspired countless people. Here are some of the more prominent opinions.
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Some are excited to bring back the flashy attire and unapologetic culture that accompanied the Roaring 20s
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Others delved a bit deeper into the historic roots that started the jubilant decade
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And of course there were those who simply wanted to express their impatience to see the world return to pre-pandemic levels
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43Kviews
Share on FacebookI don’t like the pattern. I’d rather skip repeating history, cause I don’t want to live through World War III (or not live through it)
Would be bad to repeat history - There is a scheme occuring. Pandemic--> Depression-->Warfare. And as much fun as something like the 1920 would be lifestyle wise , it seems to bring along the political extremism of both sides with it nowadays, too.
“We want cannabis” is the chant now. Same shït, different century.
Load More Replies...I just hope that wearing masks while being sick becomes more normal (like in many Asian countries) and that we encourage and normalise working from home and short weeks (3 or 4 days).
There have been other pandemics/epidemics and the impacts have varied. Plague in Europe: rise of the working class; small pox in the Americas: indigenous populations wiped out and unable to repel colonization. The Roaring Twenties were influenced by other factors: women having worked outside the home during World War II among others. History is repeating widespread illness, but other factors and results will vary.
The pandemic hit them right at the end of WW1 and lasted for two years with no hopes of a vaccine everr. They had SO much more reason to go crazy and party for a decade than we have today.
So WEIRD to me to think that life hasn’t gone back to normal for some countries. Apart from checking in to places with an app, everything else is pretty much normal again here in Western Australia.
I just heard about that today! Congratulations and good job. I live in the US and I envy you guys.
Load More Replies...Did no one mention that Prohibition started in January 1920? The so-called Roaring 20s are overrated.
But they had speakeasys. Everything is more fun when done in secret.
Load More Replies...The Roaring '20s occurred mostly because WWI was over and people started making money.
Well, WWI had more to do with both the Spanish Influenza pandemic, then the 1920s, than the pandemic alone did. Ever heard of the Lost Generation? A world war changes society. The first mechanized war brings with it mechanized death where you don’t have a chance to face your enemy. Women are called upon to go to work while the men fight, so get that taste of freedom. Privation and destruction in war can lead to conditions that can create a new flu strain. Starvation can lead to rapid spread, and troop movements can bring it to new countries. Death from war compounded by death from pandemic can lead to a “live for today” attitude, and coming out of the home to go to work leads to women wanting to hold on to that feeling of emancipation. Add in Prohibition, and a country full of people who fought a war and damn well want to celebrate by partying hardy, and you’ve got a recipe for an era of flipping the bird to tradition and outdated “norms”, and people will turn society upside down.
Last tweet is like "it is wild how history repeats" - no it is not. Humans are just stupid AF and we as a mankind do the same mistakes over and over again. Roaring 20s were silence before the storm and then WWII hit... so... no, thank you. Can we just stop being stupid as a species, please?
Usa is in dire straights already. The whole world economy is shutting down. The amount of shops, Restaurants, cafés, theatres, cinémas are bankrupted or soon will be. So many privately owned businesses have or will be just a memory. The whole food chain for restaurants are having trouble to meet ends. This will be worst than 1929. Already there's wars on almost all continents, food, water and health care are becoming rarer. I don't wish to paint the beast on the wall, we are at the end of our occidental civilization. May God save us.
World War One, 1914-1918 depression, 1918-1919 pandemic https://www.history.com/news/pandemic-world-war-i-roaring-twenties
Celebrating? More like we could die any day, devil take the hindmost, dance, sex, reefer craziness. I would not enjoy people taking dumb risks because they survived a pandemic and thus felt they should go crazy in some weird survivor guilt haze.
Also the end of prohibition came soon after, didn’t it? Likewise we will get the end of the war on drugs / end of cannabis prohibition. I get the fashion angle too, I’ve been dressing up and wearing jewelry and makeup at home, just because it feels nice. Let’s hope we can make the new roaring 20s filled with cannabis, money, and freedom, as well as political activism!
I don’t like the pattern. I’d rather skip repeating history, cause I don’t want to live through World War III (or not live through it)
Would be bad to repeat history - There is a scheme occuring. Pandemic--> Depression-->Warfare. And as much fun as something like the 1920 would be lifestyle wise , it seems to bring along the political extremism of both sides with it nowadays, too.
“We want cannabis” is the chant now. Same shït, different century.
Load More Replies...I just hope that wearing masks while being sick becomes more normal (like in many Asian countries) and that we encourage and normalise working from home and short weeks (3 or 4 days).
There have been other pandemics/epidemics and the impacts have varied. Plague in Europe: rise of the working class; small pox in the Americas: indigenous populations wiped out and unable to repel colonization. The Roaring Twenties were influenced by other factors: women having worked outside the home during World War II among others. History is repeating widespread illness, but other factors and results will vary.
The pandemic hit them right at the end of WW1 and lasted for two years with no hopes of a vaccine everr. They had SO much more reason to go crazy and party for a decade than we have today.
So WEIRD to me to think that life hasn’t gone back to normal for some countries. Apart from checking in to places with an app, everything else is pretty much normal again here in Western Australia.
I just heard about that today! Congratulations and good job. I live in the US and I envy you guys.
Load More Replies...Did no one mention that Prohibition started in January 1920? The so-called Roaring 20s are overrated.
But they had speakeasys. Everything is more fun when done in secret.
Load More Replies...The Roaring '20s occurred mostly because WWI was over and people started making money.
Well, WWI had more to do with both the Spanish Influenza pandemic, then the 1920s, than the pandemic alone did. Ever heard of the Lost Generation? A world war changes society. The first mechanized war brings with it mechanized death where you don’t have a chance to face your enemy. Women are called upon to go to work while the men fight, so get that taste of freedom. Privation and destruction in war can lead to conditions that can create a new flu strain. Starvation can lead to rapid spread, and troop movements can bring it to new countries. Death from war compounded by death from pandemic can lead to a “live for today” attitude, and coming out of the home to go to work leads to women wanting to hold on to that feeling of emancipation. Add in Prohibition, and a country full of people who fought a war and damn well want to celebrate by partying hardy, and you’ve got a recipe for an era of flipping the bird to tradition and outdated “norms”, and people will turn society upside down.
Last tweet is like "it is wild how history repeats" - no it is not. Humans are just stupid AF and we as a mankind do the same mistakes over and over again. Roaring 20s were silence before the storm and then WWII hit... so... no, thank you. Can we just stop being stupid as a species, please?
Usa is in dire straights already. The whole world economy is shutting down. The amount of shops, Restaurants, cafés, theatres, cinémas are bankrupted or soon will be. So many privately owned businesses have or will be just a memory. The whole food chain for restaurants are having trouble to meet ends. This will be worst than 1929. Already there's wars on almost all continents, food, water and health care are becoming rarer. I don't wish to paint the beast on the wall, we are at the end of our occidental civilization. May God save us.
World War One, 1914-1918 depression, 1918-1919 pandemic https://www.history.com/news/pandemic-world-war-i-roaring-twenties
Celebrating? More like we could die any day, devil take the hindmost, dance, sex, reefer craziness. I would not enjoy people taking dumb risks because they survived a pandemic and thus felt they should go crazy in some weird survivor guilt haze.
Also the end of prohibition came soon after, didn’t it? Likewise we will get the end of the war on drugs / end of cannabis prohibition. I get the fashion angle too, I’ve been dressing up and wearing jewelry and makeup at home, just because it feels nice. Let’s hope we can make the new roaring 20s filled with cannabis, money, and freedom, as well as political activism!
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