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 – THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 2, 1915
There will be cloudy skies and unseasonably cool temperatures today. The high will be about 73° and the low tonight 57°. Today begins the 3 day period to register to vote in the primary election on September 21 and the regular election in November. Reports are that there is a very light turnout thus far.
The Philadelphia County Fair begins today. The Fair is being held in Byberry and thousands are expected to turn out and enjoy the fun. Special trains are set aside at the Reading Terminal to get people to the grounds. But thousands will also be arriving from the surrounding counties in automobiles, trucks, wagons and on horseback. Along with the cows, chickens and other livestock there will be sporting events, horse racing, a midway of tents filled with arts and crafts and wonderful food and sweets.
In international news, The German Empire has accepted and acceded to American demands regarding submarine warfare as it concerns passenger liners. German Ambassador Bernstorff informed Secretary Lansing that no liner will be fired upon without warning and that the lives and safety of noncombatants will be protected. Reparations and compensation for those killed and injured on the Lusitania and the Arabic will be discussed later. Many in diplomatic circles are calling this a great American victory.
In baseball, the Phillies took 2 from the Giants at the Polo Grounds. Moran’s boys took the 1st game 3 to 1. In the 2nd game it was a battle of the Titans with Grover Cleveland Alexander against Christy Mathewson. But “Old Pete” had the better of it, pitching a shutout with the Phillies winning 2 to 0. At Shibe Park the Athletics lost their 3rd in a row. The Red Sox, behind the pitching of young Mr. George Herman “Babe” Ruth, beat the A’s 8 to 3. Mr. Ruth chalked up his 14th win of the season.
Far away from Philadelphia in Watertown, Wisconsin Meinhardt Raabe was born today. [Editor’s Note: In adulthood Mr. Raabe worked for 30 years as a spokesman and salesman for the Oscar Mayer Company. During World War II he was a pilot and instructor for the Civil Air Patrol. After the war he earned a B.A. in accounting from the University of Wisconsin. In 1970 he earned a Master’s Degree from Drexel University in business administration. But he is best known to millions for his role in “The Wizard of Oz” where he portrayed the coroner of Munchkinland and pronounced the Wicked Witch of the East “most sincerely dead”. Mr. Raabe died in 2010.
GET YOUR COPY OF PHILADELPHIA: THE WORLD WAR I YEARS BY JUST CLICKING ON THE LINK BELOW OR STOP IN AT YOUR NEAREST BARNES & NOBLE OR OTHER BOOK STORES.