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 – TUESDAY, APRIL 25, 1916
There will be cloudy and overcast skies over the city today with the strong probability of rain at times throughout the afternoon and this evening (shown below). Today’s high will reach 57° while the low tonight will be about 42°.
A bazaar has opened at Convention Hall, Broad & Allegheny Avenue, under the auspices of the United German-American Charity Association. The event will last for 10 days and proceeds will go to the relief and support of German and Austrian women and children suffering due to the death, injury or absence of their husbands and fathers. The Association has promised that none of the money raised will go toward the military cause of the Central Powers. The building has been decorated with American and German flags and colorful flowers and plants. Musical entertainment will be provided each day and a large Turkish café will be staffed by natives in Oriental costumes. Additionally a large booth at the fair will be manned by Irish-American societies.
The Philadelphia Shakespeare Committee which is coordinating the tercentenary celebration of the playwright’s death has adopted a proposal to have erected a permanent memorial to the great bard. The plan is for the committee to raise $10,000 in private donations which will then be matched by an identical sum from the Fairmount Park Commission. The money would be used to have a marble or bronze statue erected to honor the greatest writer of the English language. [EDITOR’S NOTE: The plan was successful and in 1926 Alexander Stirling Calder completed the monument. It can be seen today on the Benjamin Franklin Parkway between 19th & 20th Streets across from the Free Library of Philadelphia.]
In the Mexican situation, Secretary of War Baker today announced a change in the Mexican policy. The Secretary said that upon recommendation of General Funston, American forces in Mexico will be repositioned in an attempt to better cooperate with the army of the de facto Government of Mexico. More American troops were seen crossing the border into Mexico today. The infantry column observed stretched for over a mile. General Hugh Scott, the Army Chief of Staff will confer with Mexican General Obergon today at Eagle Pass, Texas to discuss future policy and arrangements.
In International news, reports from London are that an armed revolt has broken out in Ireland. Irish revolutionaries are in command of 4 or 5 parts of the city of Dublin after 24 hours of fighting. Telegraphic communication with Dublin has been cut off and there are reports of rioting in the streets. The British government at this time has no estimate of the number of causalities. British authorities are blaming the revolt on German instigation as evidenced by the attempt of Sir Roger Casement to smuggle weapons into Ireland from a German ship earlier this month. Sir Roger was arrested and is now in London awaiting trial for treason.
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