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.
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TODAY IN PHILADELPHIA – MONDAY, SEPTEMBER 6, 1915
The forecast calls for bright and sunny skies today with the high reaching 82° and the low around 68°. It is Labor Day and Philadelphians are celebrating with parades, picnics, sporting events and trips to amusement parks and of course the sea shore. Along with Labor Day many Philadelphians are also celebrating the anniversary of the birth of Marie-Joseph Paul Yves Roch Gilbert du Motier de Lafayette, better known to generations of Americans as the Marquis de Lafayette. The Chevalier first arrived in this city in July of 1777 and received a commission from the Congress as Major General in the Continental Army.
On this holiday some older fellows took time for relaxation at Strawberry Mansion for a friendly game of Quoits (shown below). For those unfamiliar with the game, a metal ring is tossed over a distance towards a spike. Points are earned by getting closest to the spike or throwing the quoit onto it, a ringer. Some say quoits evolved from horseshoes but those knowing the game argue the reverse. Quoits was played by the Greeks and Romans long before the game of horseshoes came along.
Around the city there are dozens of events and activities. Thousands of spectators lined the banks of the Schuylkill River this afternoon for the annual regatta of the Middle States Association. John B. “Jack” Kelly (shown below), all around oarsman of the Schuylkill Navy and member of the Vesper Boat Club earned more honor by winning the senior sculls competition. The Irish national games of the Gaelic Athletic Association are being held today at Point Breeze Park. One of the featured events will be the Hurling match between the champion Emmett team of this city and the Sons of Kerry of New York.
Out in Germantown a 2 year old boy dressed as Charlie Chaplin cost the Bloomer Girls of Chestnut Hill their ballgame against the Stenton Field Club, at Meehan Avenue & Chew Street. The game was tied 12 to 12 in the bottom of the 9th when “Little Charlie” toddled onto the field. The athletes, being girls, rushed to the child to play and coddle him. The excitement and distraction experienced by the ladies allowed the Stenton men to score 2 runs and win the contest. Some have accused the Stenton boys of bringing “Little Charlie” hoping he would divert the girls enough for the men to win.
In major league baseball both the Phillies and the Athletics had doubleheaders. And both teams lost them. The Phillies are up in Brooklyn at Ebbets Field. In the 1st game Pete Alexander gave up 6 runs on 10 hits and took the loss 6 to 3. The 2nd game wasn’t any better with Eppa Rixey taking the loss in a 7 to 3 match. The Phillies still hold 1st place by 2 games. Here at Shibe Park the A’s dropped their 2 game set to the Senators, 5 to 3 and 5 to 0. The A’s have now lost 7 in a row.
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