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After years of growth and success, the City faces some of its most harrowing challenges in the form the Influenza Epidemic, which would later become a full-blown pandemic due to its spread during World War 1. All of the city’s workers were issued face masks for protection and citizens were socially distanced to minimize the impact of the virus which would eventually claim the lives of over 50,000 New Yorkers. By contrast, the end of this time period was one of celebration, as the virus subsided and the city celebrated the Allied victory of the Great War, setting the City up for a full decade of decadence.
An illustration depicting an elevated perspective of New York Harbor, buzzing with activity from many ships.
Artist Credit: Detroit Publishing Company. Reprinted with permission.Photograph shows a horse-drawn carriage and automobiles on a city street in strong sunlight.
Artist Credit: Paul Strand. Reprinted with permission.General George R. Dyer, Benjamin Strong, Seward Prosser, J.P. Morgan, Charles H. Sabin, Gates McGarrah and Frank A. Venderlip at NYC's 3rd Liberty Loan Parade.
Artist Credit: Unknown. Reprinted with permission.Photograph of military procession at Union Square drumming up support and enlistments for World War 1.
Artist Credit: George Grantham Bain. Reprinted with permission.Photograph of parked cars, locked in place by piles of snow after a blizzard.
Artist Credit: Unknown. Reprinted with permission.Photograph of female transit workers wearing face masks for protection from the highly contagious and deadly flu which was spread far and wide by the war.
Artist Credit: Unknown. Reprinted with permission.Mask worn by a street cleaner to check influenza spread. The catch phrase of the New York Health Board to wear masks has been headed: "Better ridiculous than dead"
Artist Credit: Unknown. Reprinted with permission.Photograph of a mailman wearing a face mask during the deadly avian flu which was sweeping the world.
Artist Credit: Unknown. Reprinted with permission.Photograph of a policeman wearing a mask during the Spanish Flu pandemic. 1700 of these masks were distributed to police throughout the city for protection.
Artist Credit: Unknown. Reprinted with permission.Photograph of the famous African American regiment arriving home - they never had one of their men captured, and received the Croix de Guerre for their bravery.
Artist Credit: Unknown. Reprinted with permission.Photograph of crowds waiting for the parade of the famous 369th Infantry (Harlem Hellfighters).
Artist Credit: Unknown. Reprinted with permission.Photograph of the 369th Infantry, commonly referred to as "The Harlem Hellfighters" waving an American flag and their infantry colors.
Artist Credit: Unknown. Reprinted with permission.Photograph shows a Fourth of July parade on Fifth Avenue, New York City in 1918 with a Curtiss bombing plane mounted on a truck.
Artist Credit: George Grantham Bain. Reprinted with permission.Photograph of a parade held in honor of the 369th Infantry upon their victorious return home.
Artist Credit: Unknown. Reprinted with permission.Photograph of the Red Cross Parade being reviewed by President Wilson at junction of Broadway and Fifth Avenue.
Artist Credit: Unknown. Reprinted with permission.Like many other cities in the aftermath of a global war and pandemic, New York was ready to kick off a decade with a spirit of celebration. Society would break much new ground, ... Continue Reading
Learn all about NYC’s fascinating past by exploring the natural forces that shaped the environment and landscape, along with the people who would transform the “Island of Many Hills” into the greatest and most influential city in the world.
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