Philadelphia Council of National Defense scrapbook

The Philadelphia Council of National Defense was formed in August 1918 as a local chapter of the Pennsylvania Council of National Defense (PCND). Originally called the Committee of Public Safety for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the PCND was established in March 1917 as a civilian organization t...

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Bibliographic Details
Corporate Author: Philadelphia Council of National Defense (Creator)
Collection:Philadelphia Council of National Defense Scrapbook
Collection Number:4053
Format: Manuscript
Language:English
Subjects:
Physical Description: 0.3 Linear feet ; 1 volume
Summary: The Philadelphia Council of National Defense was formed in August 1918 as a local chapter of the Pennsylvania Council of National Defense (PCND). Originally called the Committee of Public Safety for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the PCND was established in March 1917 as a civilian organization to provide safety for the state and later became a cooperative agency of the Federal Council of National Defense. This group advised Governor Martin Brumbaugh, promoted civilian affairs, and assisted businessmen in the war effort. The council was divided into several departments and organized at a national level. The council’s activities included promoting Liberty Loans, the draft, relief aid, and Red Cross work, and it served as a patriotic institution to support and maintain the civilian war effort. The PCND created a chapter in Philadelphia to coordinate the activities of all of the city's existing war organzations. This scrapbook contains copies of press releases on the creation of the Philadelphia Council of National Defense and newspaper clippings that discuss its work between 1918 amd 1919. Prominent topics featured include the Philadelphia influenza epidemic of 1918, soldiers returning home from Europe in 1919, aid provided to Britain after World War I, local parades and memorials for soldiers, and the local textile industry.