The editors of the Wilkes-Barre Times Leader warned readers on August 7, 1945 that the atomic destruction of Hiroshima opened a dangerous new age.
A Coal Region editorial on the frightening new world created by the atomic bomb – August 1945
“The Breaker Boy” – A poem from 1897 about the child laborers of the Coal Region
In 1897, a former breaker boy penned a poem in remembrance of the child laborers of the Coal Region.
A 1918 Public Service Announcement: “Influenza: How To Avoid It – How To Treat Those Who Have It”
An October 1918 PSA from the Pennsylvania state government told residents how to avoid pandemic influenza, or if necessary, how to treat it.
“Decoration Day Drunks” – Hazleton residents who imbibed too freely on the holiday to honor Civil War veterans
Not everyone in Hazleton, Pennsylvania marked Decoration Day (Memorial Day) with reverence and solemnity. The holiday, designed to honor the sacrifices of Civil War veterans who perished during the conflict, had been regularly celebrated in Pennsylvania since 1868. On Decoration Day 1889, some in the Luzerne County city "imbibed too freely" and ended up in … Continue reading “Decoration Day Drunks” – Hazleton residents who imbibed too freely on the holiday to honor Civil War veterans
A powerful VE Day advertisement by Deisroth’s of Hazleton – May 1945
A powerfully simple advertisement ran in the Hazleton Standard-Speaker on May 9, 1945 to commemorate the victory over Nazi Germany.
“The most populous and thrifty town in northern Pennsylvania” – Scranton in 1861
A profile of Scranton in 1861 describes a rapidly industrializing community on the eve of the Civil War.
McAdoo race car driver killed in crash at New Jersey track – 1929
22-year-old John Rohrer was mortally injured in a violent wreck at the Woodbridge Speedway in October 1929.
“Honor the Nurses” – 1918 Influenza Pandemic in the Coal Region
An editorial from 1918 celebrated the efforts of nurses in the influenza pandemic. The words still ring true in our own pandemic.
“Anarchy and violence” – A St. Patrick’s Day riot in Carbondale – 1845
Peaceful St. Patrick's Day celebrations turned violent in Carbondale in March 1845.
“Votes for Women” – Coal Region newspaper published a “Women’s Suffrage Edition” in March 1914
On March 18, 1914, the editors of the Wilkes-Barre Times-Leader turned over their newspaper to suffragists.
