Entertainment in modern America is the key element associated with free time, whether it is surfing the web or watching a movie ; hobbies that transcend class and gender. Until the Victorian era in England, leisure activities were reserved only for the wealthy. However, after the rise of the Industrial Revolution, the middle class grew and leisure activities became plentiful, with leisure time no longer reserved only for the rich. New forms of entertainment were enjoyed by both working people and the elite as well as Victorian-era men and women to occupy their free time; a way of life that has continued to the present day. In the years before the Industrial Revolution, there was a large gap between the upper class and the working class, and the poor had little or no time or money for entertainment. The rise of factories and industry opened up new occupations and opportunities for workers to accumulate wealth and skills during the Victorian era. New middle-class jobs included entrepreneurs and professionals such as engineers, lawyers, and doctors. More importantly, the growth of the middle class and suburbs led to the expansion of government with new administrators, officers, and legislators who worked to improve living conditions and urban lifestyles (Swisher 68). Between 1850 and 1875, the rise of the railways and social changes led to the growth of leisure activities for all classes. Industrial legislation and union activism shortened the work week, leading to a Saturday half-off for many workers. Meanwhile, wages rose steadily and new, efficient and cheap means of intra-city transportation allowed workers to leave their ghettos for places of leisure. Additionally, a movement of parks and playgrounds […] provided previously unavailable space for ...... middle of paper ......office of labor statistics. United States Department of Labor, January 12, 2011. Web. November 20, 2011. .Clark, Stephen Hall. "The Development of Leisure in Britain after 1850." The Victorian Web. 1996. Internet. November 16, 2011..Malheiro, B. “Victorian Pleasures and Games – The Growth of Leisure.” Logical management. Web Services. 1999. Internet. November 20, 2011..Mitchell, Sally. “Leisure and pleasure: vacations, sports and leisure. » Daily life in Victorian England. Westport, CT: Greenwood, 1996. Print. 209-38. Swisher, Clarice. “The rise of the middle class.” Victorian England. San Diego, CA: Lucent, 2001. Print. 66-78. “Victorian Leisure”. AVictorian.com. Network solutions. 1996. Internet. November 20. 2011. .