Boxing

Joe Louis

Joe Louis was not only the best heavyweight boxer of this decade but possibly of all-time. Louis was the heavyweight champ from 1937 to 1949 when he retired. Although granted some of this long period was due to war but it is unlikely that there was anyone who would of beat him during that time when he was in his prime. The first black heavyweight champ since Johnson. He was instructed never to smile after beating a white opponent but would later become a national icon for all Americans when he beat Max Schmelling in their famous rematch fight in 1938. Louis had a great combination of boxing skills and power which led him to a 60-1 record with 51 KO's at the time of his retirement in 1949.


In 1935 he would get his first test against big name boxers. In just one year as pro Louis made his way to the top ten. His first opponent on his way to being a top contender was against the Italian Giant Primo Carnera who had been the Champ in 1933 when he KO'd Jack Sharkey. In early sign of things to come for Louis there was a little political controversy surrounding the fight, Italy was on the verge of invading the tiny African nation of Abyssinia.

http://www.sportplanet.com/sbb/apfas/30R.HTM

Popular Culture

Although the 1930s was a time of great hardship, people still found ways to have fun. For many during these years, having fun didn't have to cost much. Everything was homemade – the food, the games, the music – there were even homemade portable dance floors. But traditional organized activities – like rodeo and football – were popular as well.

Neighbors got together to play cards and other games and to talk. Church socials and school programs gave people a chance to visit and maybe meet someone new. Soda fountains and local dances gave young people a chance to enjoy themselves and to go on dates.

Popular culture was alive and well at the movies and in music and dancing. Children read about Superman in Action Comics and followed the adventures of Flash Gordon, Dick Tracy, and Terry and the Pirates in newspaper comic strips. Adults loved to read about the exciting lives of rich people in big cities. Newspapers ran stories and pictures about high society events.

http://www.livinghistoryfarm.org/farminginthe30s/life_14.html

Cotton Club

http://www.stjohns.edu/media/1/dedd872717b9466892a3b29eec1fa209.jpg

This vibrant club opened in December of 1923 for white New Yorkers in the city of Harlem. Black artist performed jazz music for a large white audience. The club was a major resource for blacks to convey their feelings for the need of equality, communication was enabled and allowed a cultural change in Harlem through the power of music. This cultural change provided optimistic thoughts to both blacks and whites during the harsh times of the Great Depression. Many black artist, like Duke Ellington, became famous by performing their powerful jazz music to the large Cotton Club's white audience. These artist sprouted from this venue and made a better living from there stardom in the Cotton Club. 

The Cotton Club has evolved over the years and inspired many young artist both black and white. Many clubs are now present in many cities. Some clubs are very similar to the cotton club but the audience is of all races and not just white, and more races are now performing music. The cotton club left a powerful legacy during the 1930s providing a relief to daily struggles during the Great Depression. Creativity, happiness, and good times were produced through the vibrant Harlem city club.

Cotton Club

Survey