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US Joins World War 1
On April 6, 1917 the US declares war on Germany, joining World War 1. -
Flu-like virus starts infecting people in the US
In March 1918 there are reports of of flu-like illness around the US. At a Camp in Fort Riley, Kansas, over 100 soldiers get sick with this flu-like illness. After about a week cases of this rise exponentially. Over the next 6 months flu-like illness similar to this one start to outbreak around the world. -
Influenza is first mentioned in Haskell, Kansas
First report of influenza in April in Haskell, Kansas. There were 18 severe cases reported and 3 deaths. -
Soldiers are deployed to fight WW1
Once May begins many soldiers are deployed and have traveled far to fight in the war. This will lead to possible spread of the virus. -
Second wave of flu emerges
At Camp Devens, an army training camp and at a naval facility both outside of Boston, a second wave of the flu emerges. This is the beginning of the worst of the flu. It peaks in the next coming months in the US and it was the time period when the most amount of deaths occur. -
First person dies from the flu in DC
John W. Clore is the first resident of Washington DC to die from the virus. -
Second Death in Washington DC
The health department begins plotting new cases on a "plot map" after the second death occurs. They also start taking action in protecting citizens by creating more masks. -
Directive from Washington, D.C., regarding treatment and procedures
This is a directive from the Navy Department in DC about how to prevent spread. Some of the things listed to do are: Be cautious around those who are coughing and sneezing, avoid all crowds, no traveling, no sharing drinks, and many similar directions. They also describe how there's normal a sudden onset of symptoms so to act fast and be careful if this occurs. There were many similar directions like these in this document as well. -
October 1st entry in the DC newspaper "The Evening Star"
In the newspaper "The Evening Star," the title of the October 1st issue has in bold letters "Five Deaths Added to Influenza List." It says "Spanish Influenza has resulted in five more deaths in the District alone since yesterday noon." The number of cases was now 37 and this brought the total tot 213 in the District in the past ten days. It was also believed that Health Officer Fowler contracted the virus because he was ill in his home on this day. -
Public Schools close until further notice
Public schools close until they see significant improvement in the situation. Federal employees also required to work staggered hours now to avoid further exposure. All large gatherings were also canceled or postponed. -
1297 cases have been reported and 39 deaths
1297 cases have been reported and 39 deaths. DC continues to take action and work toward making the cases lessen. Some action they have taken now is prohibiting even outside meetings. They also divide DC into four areas where there are nurses in each to support the people. -
October 11th entry from "The Evening Star"
This is a part of the October 11th issue of "The Evening Star." On this day there were 73 deaths which was the highest in a 24 hour period as of this time. In the newspaper they share an exact quote of the new ordinance of what the people should be following. The ordinance says that owners of public buildings are required to heat it above 70 degrees fahrenheit. I thought this requirement was super interesting in particular because I hadn't thought about having to do that to prevent spread. -
The Capital building officially closes to visitors
The Capital building closes to all visitors. The Supreme Court continues it's recess until further notice. They are running out of space for ill patients so they begin to create emergency hospitals at various locations. -
Picture of people serving hot chocolate to Workers from the Munitions Building
A large crowd of people are pictured in this image. It shows people serving hot chocolate to workers from the Munitions Building. Without the people knowing, this was a big culprit of how Influenza was spreading. Even though the people were just trying to help, they were contributing to the spread. -
Places begin opening back up
Churches begin to open. They are planning on opening up public and private schools schools as well. The public library opens and universities open back up. All of this was announced and planned to occur on November 4th. -
Cases begin to decrease
As of today the total number of cases in DC are 24,464 and the total deaths is 1908. There is a steady decrease of cases at the moment.