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 – WEDNESDAY, APRIL 19, 1916

The weather forecast calls for another day of clear and fair skies. The high will reach around 63° with the overnight low about 39°.

The 1st Infantry of the National Guard of Pennsylvania will parade through the business section of the city today as part of the celebration of its 55th anniversary. The “Famous First” as it is known will form at the armory at Broad & Callowhill Streets at 4:30pm and march south on Broad to Locust then up Locust to 18th Street and then return to the armory. The troop will be reviewed at the Union League by 400 prominent business leaders and Major General Charles Clement where a dinner in the regiment’s honor will be given for 400 of its veterans.

Dr. Elizabeth Baer (shown below) has been nominated for election as congressman-at-large by the Socialist Party of Pennsylvania. Dr. Baer maintains an office in this city at 129 South 18th Street. Today she said “I know I will not be elected but nevertheless I shall put up an earnest sincere fight for every possible vote.” Dr. Baer is well respected in the medical community here and also prominent in the suffrage movement. Dr. Baer said that as far as she knows she is the first woman to be nominated for Congress east of the Mississippi and definitely the first from Pennsylvania. She believes more women should be elected to Congress since they make up half of the country. If elected she will work to past laws to better women’s health. She declared that she stands for 3 unimpeachable issues: socialism, suffrage and humanity. [EDITOR’S NOTE: In 1917 Dr. Baer would be convicted of violation of the Espionage Act of 1917 for her role in the Socialist Party’s distribution of leaflets comparing the draft to despotism and urging readers to write their congressmen urging its repeal. She was sentenced to 3 months in prison.]

4-19-1916 Dr. Elizabeth Baer

In the Mexican situation, General Funston has ordered 2,300 additional troops to join General Pershing in Mexico. The troops include the 6th Cavalry, the 17th Infantry, Troop L of the 10th Cavalry and 1 battalion from the 24th Infantry.

In sports, the Phillies won their 3rd in a row today at National League Park defeating the Braves 6 to 5. Eppa Rixey got the win. Chief Bender came in to finish the game in the 9th. After putting the first 2 men on he regained his old form and retired the side to clinch the win. The A’s lost their 5th in the row falling to the Yankees 2 to 1.

WAR NEWS

On the western front, heavy rains blanketed the area surrounding Verdun today. The weather forced a respite in both infantry and artillery activity. On the Anatolian front, reports from Petrograd are that the Turkish port of Trebizond has been captured by the Russians.

GET YOUR COPY OF PHILADELPHIA: THE WORLD WAR I YEARS BY CLICKING ON THE LINK BELOW.

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