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, MAY 1, 1917
There will be steady rain today all along the east coast. In Philadelphia the high will reach 56° with a low of 46°. Today is Dewey Day and all patriots are encouraged to fly the flag. It was just 19 years ago that Admiral George Dewey engaged and destroyed the entire Spanish Pacific Fleet at Manila Bay in the Philippines which resulted in the possession of those islands by the United States. Admiral Dewey died on January 16 of this year and today is set aside to remember his service to the country.
Today also begins baby week in Philadelphia. The purpose of the week is to teach parents better ways to care for their children and prevent disease. Last year in this city 41,209 babies were born and of those 4,153 are now dead, mostly from preventable disease. Throughout the week doctors and nurses will give demonstrations and talks all around the city on proper bathing, nutrition and healthy sleeping habits for babies. Mothers are encouraged to bring their children into one of the city clinics to be examined by a physician.
Funeral services for Frederick Gutekunst, considered the dean of American photographers, took place this afternoon at his home at 1842 North Bouvier Street. Mr. Gutekunst was born in Germantown in 1831and died on Friday. He was nationally known for his Civil War photography and his portraits of public figures. One of his most famous photographs was that of General Grant taken in 1865. Mr. Gutekunst will be buried in Laurel Hill Cemetery.
Frederick Gutekunst
In Sports, Ban Johnson, president of the American League of Baseball and Governor John Tener, president of the National League both stated today that unless peace is declared there will be no major league baseball next year. The men believe that enlistment and conscription will make the fielding of teams almost impossible.
WAR NEWS
In Europe May 1st has brought general strikes to Germany and Belgium. Fully half of the munitions workers in the Rhine province have walked off their jobs. And in the coal mining region of Belgium around Mons workers have struck in protest of food shortages. In other major cities of Europe socialists and trade unionists have organized large demonstrations. On the western front there is quiet today as the combatants appear to have exhausted themselves in the fighting on the Arras-St. Quentin front.
GET YOUR COPY OF PHILADELPHIA: THE WORLD WAR I YEARS BY CLICKING ON THE LINK BELOW.