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 often for new updates.

To share your family or neighborhood stories, please email PhillyWWIyears@gmail.com

TODAY IN PHILADELPHIA – FRIDAY, JULY 30, 1915

“It’s not the heat it’s the humidity” is what’s being heard throughout the city today. The heat is intense and will reach at least 88°. But the humidity is oppressive, reaching over 70% and that is making what would be otherwise normal activity not just uncomfortable but difficult to perform. Thunderstorms are possible tonight and may result in some slight cooling. The low tonight will be about 73°. Those who can leave the city for the cooler climes of the seashore are doing so in droves as is shown below in this picture of Atlantic City taken from the end of Steel Pier.

7-30-1915 Atlantic  City

In local news, the rival jitney associations of this city joined together this afternoon in the spirit of cooperation and for self-preservation. The new association will be called the United Jitney Association and will represent 1200 drivers. In other news, it’s been learned that John Wanamaker has resigned his position as chairman of the Philadelphia branch of the National Security League. Mr. Wanamaker said he felt compelled to step down because of the confusion his remarks about buying Belgium for $100 Billion Dollars had caused. Mr. Wanamaker said he was just trying to propose ideas to end the most terrible war in human history. He will remain a full member of the League.

On the sports scene tonight, weather permitting, 2 boxing arenas have scheduled open air matches. The Ludlow A.C., 59th & Market Streets, will feature lightweights Johnny Krause against “Shifty” Stanley Hinckle and 4 other bouts. At the Allegheny A.C., B Street & Allegheny Avenue, Tyrone Costello of North Penn meets Eddie Revoire of the 18th Ward in the wind-up with 4 other fights also scheduled. In baseball, the Cleveland Indians came to town and handed the Athletics their 3rd loss in a row. The A’s had the lead going into the 8th but the Indians tied it up at 3 all. In the top of the 10th Cleveland took the lead and held on for the win 5 to 3.  The Phillies game in St. Louis was postponed due to of rain.

WAR NEWS

The German casualty list was published today in Berlin showing that according to the most recent accounts 2,500,000 German men have been killed, wounded or taken prisoner in the war. On the Alpine front, the Austrians forces around Gorizia have been reinforced delaying its fall to the Italians. In the east, reports from Poland are that the Russian army is preparing to evacuate Warsaw and the line along the Vistula River. A new line of defense is to be set from Kaunas on the Niemen River to Brest-Litovsk on the Bug River.

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