Category Archives: 1910s

‘Rokeby Venus’ painting slashed by ‘militant’ suffragette 100 years ago today (Mar 10 1914)


Video: 'Velázquez - Private life of a Masterpiece (BBC Documentary)'

(Friday, March 10, 1914) — The Rokeby Venus, a 17th century painting by Diego Velazquez on display at the National Gallery in London, was slashed multiple times today by Mary Richardson, who was protesting the arrest of fellow suffragist Emmeline Pankhurst. The painting was repaired.

ASCAP established to protect copyrighted musical compositions 100 years ago today (Feb 13 1914)


Video: 'Todd Brabec On When Does one need an ASCAP License?'

(Friday, February 13, 1914) — The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, also known as ASCAP, was founded today in New York to protect the copyrights of creators and ensure compensation for public performances of their works.

Ground broken for Lincoln Memorial 100 years ago today (Feb 12 1914)


Video: 'The Lincoln Memorial, Washington, DC.'

(Thursday, February 12, 1914) — The groundbreaking for the Lincoln Memorial took place in Washington, D.C., today, the 105th anniversary of the late president’s birth. A year later on this date, the Memorial’s cornerstone was laid.

Charles Chaplin publicly debuts ‘Little Tramp’ character in ‘Kid Auto Races at Venice’ 100 years ago today (Feb 7 1914)


Video: 'Kid Auto Races at Venice (1914) - 1st Charlie Chaplin Movie Appearance as The Tramp - Henry Lehrman'

(Monday, February 2, 1914)Kid Auto Races at Venice, a film starring Charles Chaplin in which his “Little Tramp” character makes his first appearance in a film exhibited before the public, premiered today in the U.S.

Directed by Henry Lehrman, the film also starred Lehrman, Frank D. Williams, Billy Jacobs, Charlotte Fitzpatrick, Thelma Salter and Gordon Griffith.

Charles Chaplin debuts in ‘Making a Living’ 100 years ago today (Feb 2 1914)


Video: 'Making a Living (1914) - 1st Charlie Chaplin Movie Appearance - Henry Lehrman'

(Monday, February 2, 1914)Making a Living, a comedy short film about a lady-charming swindler who runs afoul of the Keystone Kops, premiered today in the U.S.

Directed by Henry Lehrman, the film starred Charles Chaplin (in his movie debut), Chester Conklin, Minta Durfee and Virginia Kirtley.

Ford Motor Company introduces minimum wage scale of $5 per day 100 years ago today (Jan 5 1914)


Video: 'American Experience - Henry Ford - 5 Dollar A Day Wage'

(Monday, January 5, 1914) — Auto industrialist Henry Ford announced today he was going to pay workers $5 for an 8-hour day, as opposed to $2.34 for a 9-hour day. Employees still worked six days a week; the 5-day work week was instituted in 1926.

First true “cliffhanger” movie serial debuts 100 years ago today (12/29/1913)

(Monday, December 29, 1913) — The first true “cliffhanger” movie serial, The Adventures of Kathlyn, premiered today.

Filmed in Chicago, its thirteen episodes were directed by Francis J. Grandon from a story by Harold MacGrath and Gilson Willets and starred Kathlyn Williams as the heroine.

73 killed when someone falsely calls out ‘fire!’ in crowded Michigan hall 100 years ago today (12/24/1913)


Video: 'Italian Hall Disaster of 1913'

(Wednesday, December 24, 1913; Christmas Eve) — 73 people, most of them children, died today in a crush of panic after someone falsely called out “fire!” during a Christmas party for striking miners and their families at the Italian Hall in Calumet, Michigan.

President Wilson signs Federal Reserve Act 100 years ago today (12/23/1913)

(Tuesday, December 23, 1913) — The Federal Reserve Act, an Act of Congress that created and set up the Federal Reserve System, the central banking system of the United States of America, and granted it the legal authority to issue Federal Reserve Notes (now commonly known as the U.S. Dollar) and Federal Reserve Bank Notes as legal tender, was signed into law today by President Woodrow Wilson.

First newspaper crossword puzzle published 100 years ago today (12/21/1913)


Video: 'Arthur Wynne and the Crossword - Hidden Genius'

(Sunday, December 21, 1913) — What’s regarded as the first newspaper crossword puzzle was published today in the New York World. Created by journalist Arthur Wynne, it was billed as a “Word-Cross Puzzle.”