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 – SATURDAY APRIL 20, 1918
Today’s weather calls for slightly overcast skies with the possibility of rain this evening. The high will reach 48° with the low near 40°. Jefferson Hospital’s Base Hospital no. 38 is in bivouac at 25th and Hunting Park Avenue. The 200 men are awaiting orders to ship out “over there”. Friends, family and well-wishers are invited to stop at the camp and give their best wishes to the boys.
Mrs. Woodrow Wilson came to our city today to attend and review the Women’s Liberty Loan Parade, shown below in center. This was the first public event Mrs. Wilson has attended without her husband. In the reviewing booth with Mrs. Wilson were Mrs. Flora Brumbaugh, the Governor’s wife and Mayor Smith and his wife. Mrs. Wilson arrived here at 2:30pm and watched as Philadelphia’s womanhood took to Broad Street demonstrating their commitment to the cause.
Mrs. Edith Wilson
Untold thousands lined the sidewalks to cheer on the over 25,000 women representing dozens of organizations and businesses as they marched from Thompson Street down to Wharton Street in South Philadelphia (shown below). The parade was led by a company of mounted police and the Great Lakes Marching Band. The organizations marching included the Women’s Land Army led by Mrs. E.T. Stotesbury; the Red Cross; the Women’s Association of the Maccabees; the Emergency Aid of Pennsylvania; the Alliance of Catholic Women and the Salvation Army. Also on parade were the women of the Frankford Arsenal, Baldwin Locomotive, Wanamaker’s, Lit Brothers and Gimbel Brothers department stores.
Philadelphia Women on Parade
In track and field news, numerous area high schools have registered to send teams to the Penn Relay Carnival on April 26 and 27. The schools from Philadelphia include West Philadelphia High, Central High, Germantown, Girard College, South Philadelphia High, Frankford and Philadelphia Trades School. From southern New Jersey, Atlantic City High, Camden High, Cape May Court House, Hammonton, Palmyra, Pleasantville, Millville, Haddon Heights, Mount Holly, Glassboro and Wildwood will compete. And from the surrounding Pennsylvania counties West Chester High, Cheltenham High, Lower Merion High, Radnor High, Norristown High, Lansdowne High, Downingtown High, Media High, Upper Darby High, Abington High, Haverford High, Ridley Park High, Lansdale High, Darby High, Swarthmore High and Conshohocken High School will be on hand.
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