Introduction: "And Then I Went to Bed: A1918 Philadelphia Diary"

It is the year 1918 and a young woman of 18 begins a diary.  World War I rages in Europe and the recent involvement of the United States in the war approaches full effort.  On the home front a variety of rationing and other sacrifices are being implemented, criticism of the U.S. war effort and even of the flag have been criminalized, local newspapers present pages and pages of war-related stories, war bond (Liberty Loan Bond) drives are under way, and the movie industry has pledged support for war propaganda.  And then the disastrous influenza pandemic strikes, ultimately killing 50 million people worldwide, three times more than the Great War. 

 

Living in Philadelphia, Mary O’Neill, chronicles her day-to-day life during this tumultuous time.  Her diary, transcribed by Kirk Gulden, begins on January 31 and ends on October 30.  Through Mary’s words and accompanying contemporary newspaper clippings and other documents, we experience her high and low points, her longing for the soldier boy she holds dear, her perspective on the war effort, her friendships and social activities, her devotion to her religion, her frequent silent movie and occasional vaudeville attendance, her work challenges and her own family’s tragic experience with the influenza pandemic.

 

Mary O’Neill’s diary, published as And Then I Went to Bed: A 1918 Philadelphia Diary, and available at amazon.com and other distribution sources, forms the core of this blog.  I will periodically comment on Mary’s experiences, now 100 years past, supplementing those with other contemporary issues and events using the digital age to explore a time when there was no electronic social media, no television and no radio to disseminate information and conversation.

Comments about Mary’s diary and the experience of the time are welcome.  Input from descendants of individuals mentioned in the diary and any related anecdotes would add particular insight into the people and life of the time.