World War I
Women of the Great War: Before Rosie the Riveter
A generation before Rosie the Riveter, munitionettes “wo-manned” Britain’s factories and mines, replacing the men who volunteered for General Kitchener’s New Army in 1914 and 1915. Women were initially greeted in the work force with hostility. Male trade unionists argued that the employment of women, who earned roughly half the salary of the men they…
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Women of the Great War: Edith Cavell – “Patriotism is not enough”
For the last four years, the hundredth anniversary of the First World War has been a continuing theme here on the Margins and in other places where history buggs hang out. Now the anniversary of the Armistice is less than a month a away. In recognition of that anniversary, over the next two monthsI will…
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The Great Flu Epidemic of 1918
It is the time of year when reminders about getting a flu shot begin to appear in my inbox. At first I ignore them. In fact, if the only reminders came via email, I probably wouldn’t bother, even though a long history of chronic bronchitis puts me on the hot list. But My Own True…
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