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 – WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 7, 1917
There will be clear skies over the city today but the cold temperatures remain. The high will reach 36° with the low tonight about 22°. There is skating today on Gustine, Concord, Chamounix and Hunting Park Lakes. Skating is also permitted on Wissahickon Creek above Log Cabin Bridge. Today is the birthday of Charles Dickens and in the great author’s honor the members of the Philadelphia Dickens Fellowship laid a wreath at the statue of Mr. Dickens and Little Nell in Clark Park, 43rd and Chester Avenue.
State representative Thomas McNichol of this city has introduced a bill in the state’s House of Representatives authorizing Governor Brumbaugh to draft Pennsylvania men for service in the state’s National Guard and naval militia. And at Northeast High School students have formed a volunteer infantry company with the help of the faculty. The unit will drill in the school courtyard until a suitable armory can be obtained. Since some of the teachers have military experience it is hoped that the company will soon rival the military schools in our area.
On the sports beat, in high school basketball yesterday Central High beat Northeast 26 to 22 and South Philadelphia defeated Germantown 29 to 23. Central and Southern are tied for 1st in the league followed by Northeast, Germantown, West Philadelphia, Philadelphia Trades School and Frankford High. In catholic league play Catholic High visits St. Joseph’s College this afternoon.
WAR NEWS
On the western front, British troops have taken nearly 1000 yards of German trenches near Grandcourt on the Somme front. French forces are attacking 3 points near Aspach in Alsace. On the eastern front, in Galicia Russian forces repulsed a German attack northeast of Lemberg. In the Atlantic Ocean, from February 1st when Germany began its unrestricted submarine warfare campaign till today, 50 ships have been sunk. Twenty five of those have been British, twenty were neutral, one was American and 4 others belonged to other belligerents.
GET YOUR COPY OF PHILADELPHIA: THE WORLD WAR I YEARS BY CLICKING ON THE LINK BELOW.