Headlines of Yore
Stories from Philadelphia’s history by Avi Wolfman-Arent, as recalled through past newspaper headlines around the region.
A 19th century Philly civic leader’s legacy includes this pop culture icon
C.C.A. Baldi was a major figure in Philadelphia’s Italian American community. His family would go on to lead in both politics and pop culture.
The 18th-century instrument founded by a Founding Father
The armonica was invented in London, but its founder called Philadelphia home.
Author Jessie Redmon Fauset helped champion Black literary voices
The Philadelphian was instrumental in the Harlem Renaissance and published up-and-coming writers like Langston Hughes.
Before it was PHL, this patch of land was home to hogs and the world’s biggest shipyard
Hog Island transitioned from its farming past and the country’s industrial future.
Inventor Henry Heyl and Philly’s role in early moving picture technology
When the phasmatrope was first demonstrated at the Academy of Music, local papers hailed it as the first of its kind.
The Whitman Park story: How 20th century Philadelphia failed on public housing
Local authorities proposed building 2,500 units in mostly white neighborhoods. Racism kept it from happening.
A tragic Jersey Shore train crash spurred the first-ever press release
For better or worse, Ivy Lee is considered the father of corporate crisis management.
The oldest photo in the United States was taken in Philadelphia
Joseph Saxton’s grainy image of Central High holds a place of honor.
Billed as the ‘world’s biggest block party,’ Super Sunday was once the crown jewel of Philly’s festival scene
It took place annually from 1971 through 1997, when it folded because it had inspired so many copycats.
How a Philadelphia firm used steel to transform the world of transit
The Budd Company built groundbreaking trains, planes, and automobiles.
The Philly ‘heiress’ who died from an illegal abortion, sending a saloon manager to jail
The 1955 case of Doris Jean Ostreicher became a media sensation.
From civil rights leader to political pioneer to gangsta rap foe, Philly’s C. DeLores Tucker lived a full life in the public eye
She was the first Black woman to hold a cabinet position in Pennsylvania, and is remembered for much more.
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