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. So, check back often for new editions. To share your family or neighborhood stories, please email PhillyWWIyears@gmail.com
TODAY IN PHILADELPHIA – TUESDAY, AUGUST 14, 1917
The Weather Bureau predicts showers for late this afternoon and overnight. The high will reach 85° with the low about 68°. Numerous Philadelphia men from prominent families are answering their country’s call and enlisting in the service. Among the latest are Robert E. Strawbridge, Jr., whose father Robert Sr., is also serving with the Quartermaster’s Department and Spencer Large, grandson of General George Meade, the hero of Gettysburg. Both men were commissioned lieutenants at Fort Niagara.
The Fairmount Park commission has announced that baseball grounds and tennis courts throughout the Park will be reserved for the use and enjoyment of soldiers and sailors each Saturday. A request to also reserve the areas on Sunday was refused. The second class in the Philadelphia School for Navigators has begun at the University of Pennsylvania. The school was established by the United States Shipping Board to ensure an ample number of navigators for America’s merchant fleet. The first class finished last week and graduated 60 men. The classes are given at Penn’s engineering building, 33rd & Chancellor Streets.
In baseball today the Phillies are up in Boston where they lost a tough one. The game was tied after 9 at 0 when in the top of the 10th Possum Whitted singled in Oscar Dugey for the lead. But the Braves didn’t quit and got 2 runs of their own in the bottom of the inning for the win. Eppa Rixey pitched the whole contest but tired in the 10th giving up two singles and a triple. The A’s are here hosting the Red Sox. The Mackmen got to Babe Ruth early scoring 3 runs in the 3rd and holding on for the win, 3 to1.
WAR NEWS
A squadron of 20 German aeroplanes dropped bombs over the southeast coast of England yesterday leaving at least 23 dead and 50 wounded. The majority of the dead and injured are women and children. The focus of the bombing was the town of Southend, about 40 miles east of London and on the seashore resort of Margate which is 80 miles south of the capital. Also the Republic of China has formally declared war on Germany and Austria-Hungary. The Chinese legation in Washington received the official news that a state of war existed between China and the Central Powers beginning at 10:00am this morning. China becomes the 17th nation to go to war against the German and Austro-Hungarian Empires.
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