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. So, check back often for new editions. To share your family or neighborhood stories, please email PhillyWWIyears@gmail.com

TODAY IN PHILADELPHIA – TUESDAY JULY 10, 1917

Rain blanketed the area today and more is expected through the evening. Almost 21/2 inches has fallen so far. Today’s high will only reach 67° with the low about 60°.

In appreciation of the wonderful reception given to our troops in Paris on July 4^th, Philadelphia will celebrate Bastille Day on July 14^th. A parade will be organized featuring almost the entire French colony of this city. The marchers will include the Emergency Aid of Pennsylvania which has done much work to alleviate the suffering of the French people. Also marching will be soldiers, sailors and marines from the Navy Yard. Celebrations will also take place at Independence Hall and at National League Park, Broad and Huntingdon Streets, where the Pennsylvania Railroad Band will perform. The day will also include athletic events, music and dancing at Point Breeze Park.

In news from the seashore, it will be much more pleasant for male swimmers who find themselves in distress at Fire Island, New York. That is because Uncle Sam has hired his first female lifeguard to protect the beach. She is Miss Dora June Wheeler and not only will she be available to rescue swimmers but she will also be giving swimming lessons to landlubbers.

In sports, today’s scheduled double header between the Phillies and the Pirates has been postponed due to the rain. The A’s are out west in Chicago against the 1^st place White Sox. The game was tied after 8 but the Athletics scored 4 runs in the top of the 9^th to get the win, 7 to 3.

WAR NEWS

President Wilson has issued orders calling all National Guardsmen into the Federal Service by July 25^th. Eleven state National Guards, including Pennsylvania, will be called to report on July 15^th. Once called, the troops will be sent to concentration camps in the south for training. Also in the news, William James Mayo and his brother Charles Horace Mayo have announced that they will soon be leaving for France to provide medical care for our troops. The Mayo Brothers are highly respected surgeons and operate a clinic in Minnesota.

On the western front, British troops have attacked in West Flanders winning some ground south of Ypres. In the east, Russian troops are closing in on Lemberg in Galicia. The Russians are taking thousands of Austrian prisoners as seven more towns have fallen to the Russians under General Korniloff. The Austrians have now retreated to the River Lomnicka.

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