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, APRIL 13, 1916
The Weather Bureau has advised that the city will have partly cloudy skies today and this evening. There is a possibility of rain tonight. The high will reach about 64° and the low tonight around 45°.
Philadelphia will have its own Easter Promenade. Instead of the yearly trip to Atlantic City to show one’s finerary on the Boardwalk, Philadelphia’s most fashionable will be able to do it here. A sum of $500.00 has been set aside for prizes to the best dressed couple and prettiest girls. Our Easter Parade will start at Broad Street and Fairmount Avenue, proceed along Fairmount Avenue to the entrance of the Park and then back again down the Parkway to City Hall. The plan was devised by the Fairmount Avenue Business Men’s Association. Oscar Dahns, the organization’s chairman said “New York has 5th Avenue and Atlantic City has the Boardwalk… It’s time Philadelphia has a parade.” Prizes include a gold watch and diamond stick pin for the best dressed couple, a gold bracelet for the girl with the prettiest hat and another for the prettiest girl. The prizes can be viewed at Mr. Dahns’ chicken store at 2023 Fairmount Avenue.
Mr. & Mrs. Morris Stern of 907 North 8th Street (shown below) today celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary. The happy couple are both 84 years old and will celebrate this day surrounded by 8 children, 15 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. The pair were born in Germany and immigrated to America at a young age. They met and were married in 1856. Mr. Stern is a pioneer in “reform” Judaism and is one of the founders of Keneseth Israel Synagogue.
Mr. & Mrs. Stern
On the sports beat, “Pete” Alexander had a shaky start yesterday but settled down after the 1st inning pitching the Phillies to a 5 to 4 victory over the Giants. Shortstop Dave Bancroft had a poor day in the field committing 3 errors. The Phillies and the Giants meet again this afternoon at 3:30pm. Up in Boston the A’s managed only 4 hits and 1 run while also committing 4 errors in a 2 to 1 loss to the Red Sox. Babe Ruth pitched 8 and 1/3 good innings striking out 6. The teams meet again this afternoon at Fenway Park. In what was billed as the world series of basketball the Greystock Greys and the Paterson Crescents were scheduled to play the deciding game of the tournament tomorrow night here at Cooper Battalion Hall. The series was tied at one game each. But it seems that Paterson has unconditionally surrendered and will not play. No one is quite sure of the reason but Paterson has certainly raised the white flag, with a decidedly yellow hue.
GET YOUR COPY OF PHILADELPHIA: THE WORLD WAR I YEARS BY CLICKING ON THE LINK BELOW.