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 – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 17, 1915

Rain is in the forecast for both today and tomorrow. And that rain is causing streets and sidewalks to be covered with a sheet of ice and treacherous for walking (shown below). Also tons of sand is being dumped on streetcar rails to keep the trolleys moving. Even so there are delays in service. The high today will reach near 34° with tonight’s low about 27°.

A ban has been placed on the parking of automobiles on Chestnut Street for the remainder of the Holiday shopping season. Superintendent of Police Robinson made the announcement late yesterday afternoon. The order was issued to prevent traffic jams on the street and allow for the unhindered loading and unloading of merchandise to the various businesses.

The final details of President Wilson’s wedding to Mrs. Edith Bolling Galt are completed. The wedding will take place between 8:30 and 9:30pm tomorrow night. The President requested the late hour so that no account of the ceremony would be reported in the newspapers until Sunday morning. The ceremony will take place at Mrs. Galt’s home in Washington, D.C. After a wedding dinner, attended by the families of the couple, the newlyweds will leave on a brief honeymoon. The location of the honeymoon has not been disclosed and is known only to the couple who made their own transportation arrangements.

On the sports scene, in high school basketball West Philadelphia meets Girard College at Girard College; Swarthmore High takes on Lansdowne High at Lansdowne; Southern High travels to Darby High and Brown Preparatory visits St. Joseph’s tonight at 17^th & Stiles Street. Tomorrow night West Philadelphia High will play Penn’s freshman at Weightmann Hall in a preliminary match to the Penn varsity game against Muhlenberg College.

WAR NEWS

Reports from Russia are that a German and Turkish army is on the march for an invasion of India. The report states the troops are meeting up in Bagdad and will move on India via Persia. Also in Persia, Russian troops have reportedly occupied the important city of Hamadan which is about 165 miles from Teheran.  In London it was announced that 3,000,000 men have answered the recent call for volunteers, which was organized by Lord Edward Stanley, 17^th Earl of Derby and Director-General of Recruiting.

GET YOUR COPY OF PHILADELPHIA: THE WORLD WAR I YEARS BY JUST CLICKING ON THE LINK BELOW.