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 – SATURDAY, MAY 20, 1916
There will be partly cloudy skies over the city today and Sunday. The temperatures will be slightly warmer with the high today about 69° and the low near 47°. Sunday’s high will be around 72° with the low about 43°.
It is “Tag Day” and if you are tagged today by a youngster consider donating that spare nickel or dime you would otherwise use on frivolity to the child who tags you. The donation will go to a good cause. All the proceeds from tagging by youngsters today will go to the Pennsylvania Women’s Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals for their campaign to provide more horse watering stations throughout the city. With summer coming on, the horses will appreciate it.
Philadelphians are richer than ever. The Internal Revenue released its report today on individual incomes and found that wealth in this area grew by over $100,000,000.00 since 1915. A good deal of the increase is due to the European war and the increase in trade which has resulted. But even more important is the general prosperity sweeping the country. The report also showed that 7 Philadelphians have a yearly income of more than $1,000,000.00 and 15 have incomes of over $500,000.00 per year.
The “American Legion” is going to war (shown below). The Legion is made up of over 1,800 brave Americans who have travelled north to join the Canadian army and fight the Central Powers in the name of freedom and democracy. The unit is made up of recent army veterans, Spanish-American War veterans, those who served in the Philippine campaign and young, now former, civilians who believe they have a duty to fight. The unit is officially designated the 97th Battalion of the 9th Brigade, Canadian Expeditionary Force and they leave for France today.
American Legion
In entertainment this weekend, at Convention Hall, Broad Street & Allegheny Avenue, the spectacular pageant The Star of Ethiopia will be staged. The extravaganza depicts the history of the Negro race with 1000 colored actors in magnificent costumes performing 53 musical numbers. Also on stage at the Lyric Theatre, Broad and Cherry Streets, Sophie Tucker stars in the musical comedy Town Topics. And in Vaudeville, at the Forrest Theatre, Broad & Locust Streets, the Dolly Sisters star in His Bridal Night.
On motion picture screens around the city, at the Palm, Frankford Avenue & Norris Street, Willard Mack stars in the tropical island drama Aloha Oe. At the Logan Auditorium, Broad & Rockland Avenue, Lois Meredith stars in Spellbound. And at the Orpheum, Germantown & Chelten Avenues, Roscoe Arbuckle stars in The Other Man. Have a wonderful weekend.
GET YOUR COPY OF PHILADELPHIA: THE WORLD WAR I YEARS BY CLICKING ON THE LINK BELOW.