On this page we will look back at life in the city during the war years. Here we will provide the visitor with the stories making the news, what was happening in sports and entertainment, city politics, the social scene and the prominent people at the time. We will also recount the events occurring in the war on that day. So, check back each day for new editions.

To share your family or neighborhood stories, please email PhillyWWIyears@gmail.com

TODAY IN PHILADELPHIA – THURSDAY, AUGUST 26, 1915

The fair and sunny skies continue today over the city with slightly cooler temperatures. The high will reach 83° and the low about 64°. Mayor Blankenburg today came out to unequivocally support the Director of the Department of Public Safety, George Porter, for the office of Mayor. The Mayor said of Director Porter that he was a man of unquestioned integrity and untiring zeal and energy. A committee of 1000 prominent citizens has been established to support Director Porter as an Independent Party candidate.

There is a follow up to a story we reported on August 20 about 3 young women attempting to swim from Ocean City to Atlantic City. Two of the women were forced to abandon the attempt due to rough seas. But Miss Anna Kean (shown below) of Lansdowne continued on and not only completed the course but saved a boy’s life while doing it. As Miss Kean reached Chelsea she saw a young boy, Ben Hess of Tuckahoe, struggling in the water after his boat overturned. Anna went to the boy’s aid and kept him from drowning until help arrived. She then went on to finish her quest becoming the first woman to ever complete the course.

8-26-1915 Anna Kean

In Wildwood, New Jersey the 7th annual baby carnival took place today. Over 1000 babies paraded on the boardwalk. The parade started at the Arcade building at Oak Avenue and traveled 1 mile up to the Wildwood Ocean pier.

In national news, in Texas the city of El Paso is under martial law today after reports of a planned uprising of the Mexicans living there. American soldiers are patrolling the streets in the Mexican sector. The report was that supporters of Venustiano Carranza planned to take the city and loot it. General John Pershing who is commanding the 8th Brigade there has ordered out 2 regiments of infantry to patrol the area.

In international news Secretary of State Lansing has informed German Ambassador von Bernstorff that the United States will accede to Germany’s request that America wait for an explanation before taking any action regarding the sinking of the liner “Arabic”. After speaking with President Wilson Secretary Lansing advised the Germans America will wait a “reasonable time” for Germany’s side of the incident.

WAR NEWS

In Eastern Europe, the Russian fortress of Brest Litovsk has fallen to the Austro-German army. Brest Litovsk was considered one of the strongest fortresses in all Europe. The city lies on the east bank of the Bug River and 5 important railway lines pass through it. It is now believed that the Russians will withdraw 150 miles to the east to set up another fortified line of defenses. On the western front, a fleet of 62 French aeroplanes flew more than 150 miles into Germany and bombed Dillingen in Prussia today. Over 150 bombs were dropped on the city’s arms factories and blast furnaces. All the French flyers returned safely.

GET YOUR COPY OF PHILADELPHIA: THE WORLD WAR I YEARS BY JUST CLICKING ON THE LINK BELOW OR STOP IN AT YOUR NEAREST BARNES & NOBLE OR OTHER BOOK STORES.

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