peacemakers
The New York Tribune didn’t think it was dreaming in its December 22, 1918 issue. Although America entered the Great War late, its military prowess did help the French-British alliance eventually subdue the German-led coalition. One of the great promises of Christmas seemed imminent. It was finally all quiet on the western front – the constant shelling, death, and destruction had ended. Of course, people were still fighting; for example, according to Wikipedia, the Russian Civil War from 1917 until at least 1923 was extremely destructive: “There were an estimated 7,000,000–12,000,000 casualties during the war, mostly civilians. The Russian Civil War has been described by some as the greatest national catastrophe that Europe had yet seen.” But there was a relative peace, especially for the United States. The other great promise – of goodwill toward humankind – that was maybe even more difficult. The Trib resurrected a cartoon from 1914 depicting Kaiser Wilhelm as one of three gift-bearing kings. Tough love might be a part of goodwill, but retribution – maybe not so much.
silent night at last
over by Christmas (1918)
some still over there
three ballistic kings
It was a Khaki Christmas tinted red, white, and blue: The Tribune devoted a two page spread to immortal quotes from famous Americans, including four from Civil War era (Union) heroes: President Lincoln, Admiral Farragut, and Generals Grant and Dix.
a patriotic little Christmas
For nearly a century people knew that St. Nick was extremely busy during the month of December, so it probably isn’t surprising that in 1918 photographers found evidence that he was outsourcing some of the work. At least I’m pretty sure Fifth Avenue is a long, long way from the North Pole.
jolly old elves
One of the great American quotations Woodrow Wilson’s about making the world safe for democracy. One hundred years ago the president was in Europe preparing for a peace conference. The December 25th issue of The New York Times included a message from President Wilson to the American people.
The New York Times December 25, 1918
All the material from the December 22, 1918 issue of the New York Tribune can be found at the Library of Congress.
The newspaper might have changed the order of Abraham Lincoln’s “people” closing to his Gettysburg Address.
Govert Flinck’s 1639 The Angel Appearing to the Shepherds comes from Wikipedia
a message of peace and goodwill
