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 – SATURDAY, JUNE 26, 1915
There will be cloudy skies over the city today with the possibility of thunderstorms this evening. The high today will reach 80° and the low this evening 63°. The Bureau of Health released the weekly mortality report today showing the lowest death rate of the year. The report showed only 387 deaths this week, 87 fewer than the last week.
Rosie, the chubby little darling girl abandoned near 2nd & Arch Streets Monday is going to be adopted. Mr. & Mrs. Louis Myers, 5925 Sansom Street, a couple of comfortable circumstances, has come forward and offered to take the girl into their home. Mrs. Myers said the couple has been married for 20 years but are childless and when they saw Rosie’s picture they thought they could give her all the comforts of life. The couple has filed the necessary paperwork with the court.
Events around the city today include an all-day carnival to celebrate the opening of the new playground bounded by 49th and 50th Streets and Walnut and Chestnut Streets. There will be amusements, pony rides, refreshments and athletic events which will be under the auspices of the West Branch Y.M.C.A. and the West Walnut Street Outdoor Association. Also the Fairmount Park Band will be at Belmont Mansion giving both an afternoon and evening concert. The Philadelphia Band will be performing at City Hall Plaza tonight.
In sports, at National League Park this afternoon Grover Cleveland Alexander threw a 1 hitter as the Phillies beat the Dodgers 4 to 0. Down in Washington D.C., Bullet Joe Bush got his 3rd win of the season as the A’s beat the Senators 3 to 2. In amateur baseball, Strawbridge & Clothier will meet Atlantic Refining today at 3:30pm at 62nd & Walnut Streets. And in a Philadelphia Rapid Transit league game played at 49th & Chester Avenue, Woodland beat Luzerne 14 to 9 this morning.
WAR NEWS
On the western front, fierce fighting continues on the Meuse Heights in Lorraine. The Germans continue to use liquid fire and gas bombs around Calonne. Fighting also continues south of Arras in the French offensive toward Lille. On the Adriatic coast, Montenegrin troops have occupied the Albanian port of San Giovanni de Medua. In the east, according to reports received today, two Japanese officers fighting with the Russians at Lemberg in Galicia committee suicide rather than face the dishonor of being taken prisoner when the city fell. The Japanese call such an act “hari-kari”. The officers were Major Nakajima and Captain Hashimoto.