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 often for new updates.
To share your family or neighborhood stories, please email PhillyWWIyears@gmail.com
TODAY IN PHILADELPHIA – TUESDAY, JUNE 29, 1916
There will be clear, beautiful skies over our city today and the whole region. However, clouds will move in this evening. Winds are light and from the south. The high will be about 78° and the low around 61°.
Fire Marshal Elliott today issued a number of suggestions for the use of fireworks in a safe manner this July 4th. Some of the suggestions included: do not give children large bunches of matches; do not let small children carry burning punks carelessly; do not let little girls with flimsy dresses set off fireworks without an adult present; do not leave windows open near where fireworks are being set off as sparks or flames may get inside the house; and do not set fireworks off near piles of rubbish or paper. Mr. Elliott pointed out that careless handling of fireworks on July 4th since 1907 has caused 33 deaths and 300 fires.
A festival began last evening in the yard of the parochial school of St. Rita’s Roman Catholic Church, Broad & Ellsworth Streets. Many amusements are on hand including Punch & Judy shows, candy sales, vaudeville acts and old-fashion dancing. The festivities continue through tomorrow evening and all proceeds go to the benefit of the parish. Also in South Philadelphia, Members of the Lithuanian Real Estate Society broke ground on Moyamensing Avenue for the construction of a National Hall (shown below). There are 20,000 Lithuanians living in this city and they intend this hall to be the center of Lithuanian life in Philadelphia.
Organizers from New York of the International Ladies Garment Workers Union are here to speak to textile employees about their working conditions. One of the organizers, Abraham Silver, said the visit may culminate in the organizing of 8000 women workers here and a possible strike if certain demands are not met. Mr. Silver and his associate Miss Rose Schneiderman plan on presenting an ultimatum to manufactures here. Employers here see little chance of a strike since Philadelphia workers are paid 15% to 20% more in wages than those in New York.
On the sports scene, Larry Whitney, the intercollegiate shotput champion from Dartmouth, has signed to be head football coach for Penn State next year. It will be remembered that Whitney finished 3rd in the shotput at the Olympic Games in Stockholm 3 years ago. In baseball, the Phillies behind the pitching of George Chalmers beat the Dodgers 5 to 4 at National League Park this afternoon. The A’s in Washington continued their lackluster play and went down to defeat 8 to 0.