Will this be the year wars in Gaza and Ukraine find resolution? Will inflation stabilize, and will AI and cryptocurrency move from buzzwords to tangible influences in the daily lives of everyday people? Most importantly, will 2025 be the year journalists finally drop the phrase “formerly known as Twitter” when citing a quote from X (formerly known as Twitter)? As 2025 begins, these and other important and pithy questions linger. Should I hold on to hope for humanity—or start planning my escape to the hills?
A century ago, the transition from 1924 to 1925 felt as vulnerable as the times we face today. In 1924 the world witnessed the dissolution of the 625-year-old Ottoman Empire and the conclusion of 315 years of American-Indian wars. It also marked the controversial withdrawal of U.S. occupying forces from the Dominican Republic and tragic instances of ethnic cleansing in Argentina. That year also planted seeds of lasting significance: J. Edgar Hoover became Director of the FBI, and the now-extinct California Grizzly bear was sighted for the last time. The echoes of those events would resonate far beyond their time.
Every era brings transformative shifts in nation-states, technology, culture, and daily life. The pace of change can be overwhelming—swinging from despair and panic to hope and opportunity. While both 1924 and 2024 were marked by challenges, the lessons of 1925 might offer valuable insights for navigating the complexities of 2025.
First, there are some things we simply cannot control. Natural disasters strike with relentless force, calling for our compassion and resilience. A century ago, in 1925, China’s devastating Yunnan earthquake claimed 5,000 lives. In the United States, the deadliest tornado in our history—the Tri-State Tornado—swept through the Midwest, killing 695 people and injuring over 2,000. Such tragedies remind us of the fragility of life and the reality that disasters will, unfortunately, continue to shape our world.
Second, many problems are undeniably of our own making. In 1925, the seeds of devastation were sown as Germans began purchasing Mein Kampf, the newly released book by political prisoner Adolf Hitler—a publication that would later make him a multi-millionaire. In Italy, the people saw Mussolini secure his dictatorship stemming from their election of a fascist government. Meanwhile, a KKK rally in Washington, D.C. drew an alarming 35,000 participants from a national membership of millions. Today’s Klan sits around 7,500 members—raising questions about the media spotlight we place on such groups.
Third, nothing lasts forever. In 1925, the Chrysler Corporation was founded, but honestly, can you name the cars with the Chrysler brand today? That same year the Bauhaus architectural movement relocated to a new German city, ushering in an expansive era of influence—though thankfully, we’ve seen the decline of its less inspiring offspring. (Have you seen the new dormitory renderings for Florida A&M? Stunning!)
The Scopes Trial reshaped American education, marking a pivotal moment in the debate between science and tradition. Margaret Mead arrived in Samoa, setting the stage for revolutionary work that would forever change anthropology. Meanwhile, New York City surpassed London to claim the title of the world’s largest city. Back then, we had a president, Silent Cal Coolidge, known for his humility and brevity. Ah, the good old days
Fourth, there is always reason to keep hope alive. In 1925, America saw its first female governor take office in Wyoming, followed closely by another in Texas. The year also gave rise to cultural milestones that would shape the century: The Great Gatsby, the debut of the Grand Ole Opry radio show, and the start of the Art Deco and surrealist movements. Even Mount Rushmore began its journey toward becoming an iconic landmark.
Change-makers in politics and culture were born in 1925, including Flannery O’Connor, Margaret Thatcher, Sammy Davis Jr., and Merv Griffin. Meanwhile, one might wonder: Did the mothers of RFK, Malcolm X, or Pol Pot have any inkling of the vastly different legacies their sons would leave? Vulgar comic Lenny Bruce was also born in 1925. Birth year is about the only list I imagine he could ever share with Margaret Thatcher.
Just as we are called to be stewards of our world for the next generation, we are also tasked with navigating, influencing, and striving to improve upon the challenges of our time. No matter the events of an era, it is important to keep perspective with what may seem like tragic disasters in the works or amazing successes that will change the world.
Happy New Year.
This editorial originally appeared in The Orlando Sentinel on December 31, 2024.
