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Louis Armstrong -
The Harlem Renaissance
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Fast Facts: The 5 W's of the Harlem Renaissance
Fast, fun facts and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)
- The 5 Five W's of the Harlem Renaissance: What,
Who, Where, Why and When...
What was the Harlem Renaissance? The Harlem Renaissance
was a flowering of African American culture
embracing literary, musical, theatrical, and
visual arts
Who was involved in the Harlem Renaissance?
African Americans were involved in the Harlem Renaissance.
Significant figures were Louis Armstrong,
Duke Ellington, Claude McKay, Zora Neale
Hurston, Bessie Smith, Paul Robeson and
Langston Hughes
Where did the Harlem Renaissance take
place?
The Harlem Renaissance centered around the
Harlem district in New York City
When was the Harlem Renaissance?
The period known as the Harlem Renaissance
was 1917 - 1932 (from WW1 and the Great
Migration up to the Great Depression)
Why was the Harlem Renaissance important?
The Harlem Renaissance was important because
it inspired an explosion of cultural pride and was perceived as a
new beginning for African Americans. Black Americans were inspired
to create works rooted in their own culture instead of imitating the
styles of white Americans. African Americans were encouraged to
celebrate their heritage and to become "The New Negro" a term coined
in 1925 by Alain LeRoy Locke (1885 - 1954), writer and patron of the
arts. The following quote by Nathan Huggins
(1927 - 1989), a prominent African American historian and author,
reflects the change in attitudes that would help lay the foundation
of the Civil Rights Movement.
"For the Afro-American in the
1920's being a 'New Negro' was being 'Modern'. And being an 'New
Negro' meant, largely, not being an 'Old Negro', disassociating
oneself from the symbols and legacy of slavery - being urbane,
assertive militant." - Nathan Huggins
The Harlem Renaissance: Harlem Renaissance Quotes
The following Harlem Renaissance quotes typified the
era: Famous Harlem Renaissance
Quotes for kids
Harlem Renaissance Quotes:
"Grab the broom of anger and
drive off the beast of fear." - Zora Neale Hurston
Quote
Harlem Renaissance Quotes:
“Hold fast to your dreams, for
without them life is a broken winged bird that cannot
fly.” - Langston Hughes Quote
Harlem Renaissance Quotes:
"I swear to the Lord, I still
can't see, why Democracy means, everybody but me."
- Langston Hughes Quote
Harlem Renaissance Quotes:
"The Negro must build on
his own basis apart from the white mans foundation if he
ever hopes to be a master builder." - Marcus
Garvey Quote
Harlem Renaissance Quotes:
“There are years
that ask questions and years that answer."- Zora
Neale Hurston Quote
Harlem Renaissance Quotes:
"Freedom is
never given; it is won." Asa Philip Randolph Quote
Famous Harlem Renaissance
Quotes for kids
Why was it called the 'Harlem Renaissance'
and what does the term mean?
Definition: The term 'Renaissance' derives from Latin meaning
"be born again, rise again, to be renewed" The Harlem
Renaissance was perceived as a new beginning for African Americans
and a period of intellectual growth which inspired African American
authors, artists and musicians. Refer to
Famous Harlem Renaissance
Figures.
Harlem Renaissance
Facts for kids
-
Facts
about the Harlem Renaissance
for kids
The following fact
sheet contains interesting facts and information on Harlem Renaissance
for kids.
Facts
about the
Harlem Renaissance for kids
Harlem Renaissance Fact 1:
Harlem Renaissance Art: Surrealism,
Impressionism and Art Deco were the new art movements
and styles of the 1920's and these influenced African
American art during the Harlem Renaissance. Art Deco
used strong colors and geometric shapes to convey the
"modern" look. Surrealism in art was highly imaginative
style expressing dream-like images free of reason and
convention.
Impressionism used bold brush strokes and contrasts of
color to capture the impression of the moment. Artists
used these modern art styles in paintings, murals,
photographs, sculptures and illustrations and covers of
magazines and other publications to express the 'New
Negro' philosophy.
Harlem Renaissance Fact 2:
Artists: The
Harlem Renaissance
Artists used
modern art styles to reflect African American life and
culture. The names of the artists who blossomed during
the Harlem Renaissance era included Aaron Douglas, Lois Mailou Jones, Jacob Lawrence, Palmer C. Hayden, Laura
Wheeler Waring, Meta Fuller, Archibald Motley, Augusta
Savage, William Johnson, Charles Alston and photographer
James Van Der Zee.
Harlem Renaissance Fact 3:
Authors: The
authors of the period wrote fiction and non-fiction,
novels, plays, children's books and published essays,
articles and edited various publications. Famous Harlem
Renaissance authors included Langston Hughes, Alain
LeRoy Locke, Zora Neale Hurston, James Baldwin, Countee
Cullen, Nella Larsen, Jessie Redmon Fauset, Jean Toomer,
Jessie Redmon Fauset, George Schuyler, Arnaud "Arna"
Wendell Bontemps, Rudolph Fisher, Gwendolyn B. Bennett,
A. Philip Randolph, Wallace Thurman, Dorothy West,
Rudolph Fisher, Chandler Owen and Georgia Douglas
Johnson. Also refer to Literature, Books and Writers.
Harlem Renaissance Fact 4:
Actors: Famous actors of the
period included Paul Robeson, Bill "Bojangles" Robinson,
Ethel Waters, Nobel Sissel, Charles Gilpin, Nina Mae
McKinney, Evelyn Preer
and Adelaide Hall. The Lafayette Theatre was a famous
New York theater. The Lafayette Players acted before
almost exclusively African-American audiences in famous
plays from the classics and presented modern Broadway
hits such as Madame X, and Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
Harlem Renaissance Fact
5: Black
Nationalism:
The Universal Negro Improvement Association was
established by Marcus Garvey advocating self reliance
and separation from white society and the "back to
Africa" movement. Marcus Garvey presided over a
conference in the UNIA Liberty Hall in Harlem which was
followed by a 50,000 strong march of supporters.
The ideas of Marcus Garvey clashed with those of many
Harlem Renaissance intellectuals but he inspired many
African Americans with a sense of pride in the heritage
and optimism for the future.
Harlem Renaissance Fact
6: Books:
The literature of the Harlem Renaissance produced many
famous books that included Cane by Jean Toomer, The Fire
in the Flint by Walter White, Home to Harlem by Claude
McKay, Quicksand by Nella Larsen, The Walls of Jericho
by Rudolph Fisher, Not Without Laughter by Langston
Hughes, Black No
More by George Schuyler, The Chinaberry Tree by Jessie Redmon Fauset and Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora
Neale Hurston. Also refer to Authors, Literature and
Writers
Harlem Renaissance Fact
7: Clothing: Harlem Renaissance
clothing reflected many of the new, daring styles and
fashions of the Roaring Twenties. All of the men wore
fedora hats and suits complimented by colorful
handkerchiefs, suspenders and bow ties. The most
outstanding style of men's suit during the Harlem
Renaissance was the flamboyant zoot suit. Clothing for
the women included day dresses and skirts with cloche
hats. Women's clothing for the evening reflected Jazz
Age 'flapper' fashions decorated with rhinestones with
glamorous accessories such as long strands of pearl
beads, feather headbands and boas and long gloves.
Their woolen, silk, or rayon stockings were held up by
garters. Refer to
1920's
Fashion for Women
Harlem Renaissance Fact
8: Dancers and
Dances:
The new style of jazz music inspired new, crazy and flamboyant dance
moves. New dances evolved including the Charleston, the
Black Bottom, the Shimmy, Turkey trot and the Cake walk.
Famous Harlem Renaissance dancers included Bill "Bojangles"
Robinson, Josephine Baker, George Snowden, Herbert
White, Earl "Snakehips" Tucker, Mildred Dixon and
Florence Mills, The Nicholas Brothers, Stepin Fetchit,
Butterbeans and Suzy and Evelyn Welch. Dancers at
the Savoy Ballroom, the “Home of Happy Feet”, developed
the Lindy Hop (named after Charles Lindbergh) in 1927.
Harlem Renaissance Fact
9: Cotton Club: The Cotton Club
was the most famous nightspot in Harlem which was
located on 142nd St & Lenox Ave from 1923 to 1935. The
Cotton Club was a “Whites-only” venue. The cabaret form
of entertainment began in New York City and the growing
number of speakeasies during the
Prohibition era of the
1920's provided many aspiring Harlem Renaissance
jazz musicians with new venues. All of the famous
African American singers, musicians and dancers
performed at the Cotton Club. It was the "in" meeting
place and featured regular "Sunday Celebrity Nights"
that featured celebrity guests and movie stars such as
Al Jolson, Jimmy Durante, George Gershwin, Sophie
Tucker, Paul Robeson, Al Jolson, Mae West, Eddie Cantor,
Fanny Brice, Langston Hughes and Judy Garland.
Harlem Renaissance Fact
10: Fashion: The major fashion
statement for men was the loose fitting, baggy trousers
of the "Zoot Suit". Women's fashion was influenced by
the movie stars of the day and famous celebrities such
as Josephine Baker, the "Black Pearl" and Bessie Smith,
the 'Empress of the Blues' who wore the fashions of the
Flappers.
The photographs are of Bessie
Smith and Josephine Baker. Also refer to Clothing and oot Suit.
Harlem Renaissance Fact
11: Great Gatsby: The Great Gatsby
by F. Scott Fitzgerald was published in 1925 and told
the story of the fictional character Jay Gatsby and
exposed the excesses of
Consumerism in
1920's America, affected all Americans, black and
white.
Harlem Renaissance Fact
12: Great Migration: The
Great Migration
started during WW1 which saw the mass movement of African Americans from
the farmlands in the south to explore
opportunities and star a new life in the towns and
cities in the northern states of America.
New York became a popular destination and saw the
emergence of Harlem as the favored district for African
Americans.
Harlem Renaissance Fact
13:
Harlem Hellfighters:
The
Harlem
Hellfighters were
the men of the 369th Infantry who heroically fought on
the front lines in WW1. The whole regiment of the "Harlem
Hellfighters"
received the French Croix de Guerre and 171 of the
officers and troops received individual citations for
bravery, more than any other American unit in WW1. Their
bravery during WW1 changed the American public's opinion
on African American soldiers and saw a burst in African
American pride.
Continued...
Facts
about the
Harlem Renaissance for kids
Facts
about the Harlem Renaissance for kids
The following fact
sheet continues with facts about Harlem Renaissance for kids.
Facts
about the
Harlem Renaissance for kids
Harlem Renaissance Fact 14:
Jazz Age:
The 1920's Jazz Age was associated with sophistication,
modernism, exuberance, consumerism, decadence and the
introduction of jazz music.
Jazz Musicians:
The Famous Jazz Musicians of the Jazz Age included Louis
Armstrong, Josephine Baker Edward Kennedy "Duke"
Ellington, Dizzy Gillespie, "Jelly Roll" Morton, King
Oliver and the Creole Jazz Band, Billie Holiday, Charlie
Parker, Ma Rainey, Fletcher Henderson, Earl "Fatha"
Hines, Cab Calloway, Bessie Smith, Thelonious Monk,
Count Basie, Art Tatum and Fats Waller.
The painting is by
F. Winold Reiss and entitled "Interpretation of Harlem
Jazz"
Harlem Renaissance Fact 15:
Key Figures and Leaders:
The key figures of the Harlem Renaissance were the
authors, artists, poets, singers and musicians. The
African American political leaders of the era and Civil
Rights Activists included Marcus Garvey, Oscar DePriest,
A. Philip Randolph, L.S. Alexander Gumby, Madam C.J.
Walker, Alain LeRoy Locke "Father of the Harlem
Renaissance", W.E.B. Du Bois, Walter White and James
Weldon Johnson.
Harlem Renaissance Fact 16:
Langston Hughes: TLangston Hughes, known as the "Poet Laureate of
Harlem" wrote the poems 'The negro speaks of
rivers, 'The Weary Blues' and 'I too'. The poems
described the disenfranchisement felt by many African
Americans in the 1920's and urged them to stand up and
take pride in their heritage.
Harlem Renaissance Fact
17: Literature:
The authors and poets of the Harlem Renaissance
challenged traditional ideas and reflected realistic
characters and themes describing the African American
lifestyle and reflected their history, culture and
heritage. Also refer to Authors, Books and Writers
Harlem Renaissance Fact
18: Music:
The music of the Harlem Renaissance brought together the
African music culture combined with Blues, Ragtime and
Dixie to create the Jazz Music made so famous by the
Harlem musicians. The early Jazz style was called
'Stride Piano. In 1917 Victor records released the first
jazz record, by the Original Dixieland Jazz Band (ODJB).
Louis Armstrong is credited with putting Jazz on the
musical map.
Harlem Renaissance
Musicians participated in 'Cutting
Contests' during which players tried to surpass, or
'cut, each other to create the best improvisations -
James P. Johnson was named "the father of stride piano".
By 1929, 60% of radio air time was playing jazz music,
which became mainstream entertainment..
Harlem Renaissance Fact
19: NAACP:
The NAACP (National Association for the
Advancement of Colored People) fought
for civil rights, the elimination of racial
discrimination and desegregation.
Harlem Renaissance Fact
20: New York:
The Harlem Renaissance, the "flowering of Negro
literature, art and creativity" was centered in the
Harlem district of New York City. In 1914, there
were only 50,000 African Americans in Harlem, by 1930
the number had increased to 200,000. Tin Pan Alley
became the center of the music industry in New York
City. The Cotton Club was the most famous of all the
Harlem nightspots.
Harlem Renaissance Fact
21: Poets / Poetry
/ Poems: The
Harlem Renaissance saw the emergence of many
Harlem Renaissance
Poets including Claude McKay whose eloquent
poetry about racism in the United States included poems such as 'If
we must Die' and 'The Lynching'. Langston Hughes, wrote 'The negro speaks
of rivers, 'The Weary Blues' and 'I too' as a
response to 'I hear America singing' by Walt Whitman.
Georgia Douglas
Johnson published full volumes of poetry, including The
Heart of a Woman, and Other Poems and Bronze. Countee
Cullen wrote The Black Christ and Other Poems and James
Weldon Johnson wrote God's Trombones.
Harlem Renaissance Fact
22: Singers: The
famous
Harlem Renaissance
Singers included Louis
Armstrong, Paul Robeson, Bill "Bo jangles" Robinson,
Josephine Baker, Adelaide Hall, Bessie Smith, Lottie
Gee, Cab Calloway, Ethel Waters, Avon Long, Aida Ward,
Edith Wilson, the Dandridge Sisters, Fats Waller, Avis
Andrews, the Berry Brothers, Nina Mae McKinney, Billie
Holiday and Lena Horne
Harlem Renaissance Fact
23: Songs: There
were many famous Harlem Renaissance songs, and many of
the following received Emmy Awards. "St. Louis Blues"
was recorded in 1929 by Louis Armstrong with Bessie
Smith. "It Don't Mean a Thing (If It Ain't Got That
Swing)" was recorded in 1932 by Duke Ellington. "Strange
Fruit" was recorded in 1939 by Billie Holiday. "Sweet
Georgia Brown" was written in 1925 and recorded by Ella
Fitzgerald and Cab Calloway. "Everybody Loves My Baby"
was recorded by Armstrong with the Fletcher Henderson
Orchestra. "Squeeze Me" a jazz song composed and
recorded by Fats Waller in 1925.
Harlem
Renaissance Fact 24: Sports:
Spectator sports such as baseball, basketball and boxing
reached new heights of popularity in the 1920s. In 1924
the Negro League held its first world series, its stars
were Oscar Charleston and Satchel Paige. The New York
Renaissance all-black professional basketball team,
nicknamed the "Harlem Rens", was established in 1923,
and became the first professional basketball team. The "New York Harlem Globe Trotters"
were formed in 1927. Joe Lewis, nicknamed the Brown Bomber,
was a heavyweight boxing champion of the world achieved
the status of a nationwide hero. Henry McDonald
was the first black athlete to play professional
football. Jesse Owens won accolades for black athletes
by taking four gold medals in the 1936 Olympics.
Harlem Renaissance Fact
25: Writers: The
Harlem Renaissance
Writers contributed to four
important publications and magazines - The Crisis, The
Messenger, The Negro World, and Opportunity. The Crisis
was the official political and social magazine of the
National Association for the Advancement of Colored
People (NAACP). The Messenger was a politically radical
magazine for African Americans. The Negro World was a
weekly magazine published by the United Negro
Improvement Association (UNIA). Opportunity chronicled
cultural advancements in Harlem. Also refer to Authors, Literature
and Books.
Harlem Renaissance Fact
26: Zoot Suit:
The "Zoot Suit" was a men's suit that became popular
among the African Americans of Harlem. The Zoot Suit
featured trousers that were high-waisted, wide-legged
with pegged bottoms The long jackets were tight-cuffed
with wide lapels and wide padded shoulders.
Facts
about the
Harlem Renaissance for kids
Facts
about
Harlem Renaissance
For visitors interested in the history of
the Harlem Renaissance refer to the following articles:
Harlem Renaissance Facts for kids: A-Z Subjects
relating to the Harlem Renaissance
We identified 50 important subjects about the
Harlem Renaissance Era. A - Z order: Harlem
Renaissance Art, Harlem Renaissance Artists,
Harlem Renaissance Authors, Harlem Renaissance Actors, Harlem
Renaissance Clothing, Black Nationalism, Books, Harlem Renaissance Dancers and
Dances, Cotton Club, Fashion, Great Gatsby, Harlem Renaissance Great Migration, Harlem
Hellfighters, Jazz Age, Harlem Renaissance Jazz Musicians, Harlem
Renaissance Key Figures and Leaders,
Langston Hughes, Harlem Renaissance Literature, Harlem Renaissance Music, NAACP,
Harlem Renaissance New York, Harlem Renaissance Poets / Poetry
/ Poems, Harlem Renaissance Singers, Harlem Renaissance Songs, Sports,
Harlem Renaissance Writers, Harlem Renaissance Zoot Suit. A - Z of the Harlem Renaissance.
Black
History for kids: Important People and Events
For visitors interested in African American History
refer to
Black History -
People and Events.
A useful resource for
teachers, kids, schools and colleges undertaking projects for the
Black History Month.
Harlem Renaissance for kids
The article on the
Harlem Renaissance provides
detailed facts and a summary of the most important events and dates in the history of the
United States
- a crash course in
American History. The following video will
give you additional important facts, history and dates about the
personal and political lives of all the US Presidents.
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Interesting facts and info about the Harlem Renaissance
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