'Turnback Tuesday' features 'comfort bags' provided to sailors in WWI

Turnback Tuesday remembers those who served in WWI.

This stereoscopic card shows the young men of the Navy. These sailors were expected to keep their uniforms in good repair.

Each sailor might have in their “Comfort Bags” provided with the help of the Red Cross such things as white cotton thread, khaki cotton thread, grey darning cotton, sewing needles, spare buttons both black and white, thimble, scissors, soap, safety pins, common pins, small comb, toothbrush, mirror, handkerchief, pencil, writing pad, envelopes, postcards, pocket knife, and shoe laces.

The Navy League supervised the making of other articles such as sweaters, mufflers and wristlets. Leagues were all over the United States giving material to women who would knit for the soldiers at sea.

Thanks as always goes to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting history each week.

'Turnback Tuesday' features founding of American Red Cross

Turnback Tuesday celebrates the 140th anniversary of the founding of the Red Cross, May 21, 1881 by Clara Barton, who led it for 23 years. 

During WWI in 1914, there were 107 chapters and by 1918 there were 3,864. 

The Red Cross recruited nurses to help serve the military and recruited addition nurses to combat the flu epidemic of 1918. Again they helped during WWII with supplies and packages for American and allied prisoners. 

The Red Cross also initiated a national blood drive program. They continue their commitment to supply relief, education, and support to this day. This song (above) was dedicated to the American Red Cross during WWI.

Thanks goes to Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting history each week!

'Turnback Tuesday' features Doughboys, Y girls in World War I

Turnback Tuesday shows a stereoscopic card picture of Y girls and Doughboys in WWI. 
Y girls were women associated with the YMCA who went to war zones to help support the troops. They were there to distribute cigarettes, candy, comfort the injured, and write to their families. 
Doughboys was a nickname for American troops deployed to Europe. 
Pictured are Y girls making fresh and hot from the oven “Donuts for Doughboys.”


Thanks to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting history each week!

'Turnback Tuesday' honors veterans, shares Shelton Legion Post history

Turnback Tuesday remembers and thanks those who defended our country and our freedom. 
The American Legion in Shelton is called “Sutter-Terlizzi American Legion Post 16.” Charles Sutter of the U.S. Army was the first Shelton soldier to die in WWI and Angelo Terlizzi of the U.S. Navy was the first Shelton soldier to die in WWII. 
The post was formed by WWI veterans in 1919 and is one of the original Legion Posts in Connecticut.


Thanks as always to the Derby Public Library staff for sharing interesting local history.

Derby Library to host talk on history of arms race

DERBY - The Derby Public Library will host a historical program, Castles of Steel: Part II, at 6:30 p.m. Nov. 24.

In this follow-up program, Rob Novak, Jr., a local historian,
will continue to explore the first great arms race of the 20th century through lecture and pictures.

The world’s major powers spent great sums of money on
giant fortresses called dreadnoughts, blending 19th century Naval tactics with 20th century technology.

It was a period of innovation, grandeur and danger that ultimately was one of the
of the underlying causes of WWI and led to the first international arms limitations treaty.

Registration is requested. It is not necessary to have seen Part I to attend.

For more information stop by the Library at 313 Elizabeth St., call 203 736-1482, or visit
www.derbypubliclibrary.org.


This is a press release from Cathy Williams, Director, Derby Public Library.