Nobody likes being confronted on the street, catcalled, or corralled into paying attention to someone that they have no interest in. Sadly, street harassment, which disproportionately affects women, is nothing new. It also doesn’t appear to be vanishing anytime soon. But, for a brief moment in history, Anti-Flirt Club led an effort to criminalize this behavior in an attempt to protect women and girls in cities like Washington, D.C., Chicago and New York. 

The Anti-Flirt Club led the charge to inform women of an increasingly annoying, if not downright dangerous, problem of men relentlessly hitting on women. 

The answer? Don’t Flirt.

Drive-by Flirting 

The Anti-Flirt Club was formed in the 1920s in Washington, D.C. Women were sick and tired of being rolled up on by strange men when they were just trying to walk down the street. 

The Anti-Flirt Club’s mission centered around a specific type of harassment born out of the automobile boom of the 1920s: Drive-by flirting. 

According to an article published in the Washington Post on February 28, 1923, titled: “10 Girls Start War on Auto Invitation,” the heart of the problem was that “too many motorists are taking advantage of the precedent established during the war by offering to take young lady pedestrians in their cars, Miss Helen Brown […] declared yesterday.”

According to Brown, who was the secretary of the Anti-Flirt Club, these motorists were responsible for the bulk of the harassment because they were mobile, empowered and pretty much everywhere. 

The Anti-Flirt Club Rules

As with any movement that hopes to make an impact, you need rules. The Anti-Flirt Club’s philosophy was that “flirting” should essentially be criminalized. The rules were as follows: 

1. Don’t flirt; those who flirt in haste oft repent in leisure. 
2. Don’t accept rides from flirting motorists—they don’t all invite you in to save you a walk.
3. Don’t use your eyes for ogling—they were made for worthier purposes.
4. Don’t go out with men you don’t know—they may be married, and you may be in for a hair-pulling match.
5. Don’t wink—a flutter of one eye may cause a tear in the other.
6. Don’t smile at flirtatious strangers—save them for people you know. 
7. Don’t annex all the men you can get—by flirting with many you may lose out on the one. 
8. Don’t fall for the slick, dandified cake eater—the unpolished gold of a real man is worth more than the gloss of a lounge lizard.
9. Don’t let elderly men with an eye to a flirtation pat you on the shoulder and take a fatherly interest in you. Those are usually the kind who want to forget they are fathers.
10. Don’t ignore the man you are sure of while you flirt with another. When you return to the first one you may find him gone.

With the Club’s orders public, President Alice Reighly and co. organized the first (and last) Anti-Flirt Week. This movement was far from revolutionary, but there were other Anti-Flirt Clubs that sprouted up in Chicago and New York. These groups tended to focus on “mashers” – or aggressive male flirts – who approached women on the street. 

“Jail the Flirt” 

Surprisingly, the New York iteration of the Anti-Flirt Club was formed by men, including George Carroll, a “theatrical man” and James Madison, a “broker.” 

Their slogan: “Jail the Flirt.”

This attempt to incarcerate mashers and “lounge lizards,” (well-dressed men who troll bars and clubs), didn’t exactly materialize. While some flirters were arrested, it’s unclear how long they were detained or what specific law they were actually breaking. 

By the 1930s, the “Anti-Flirt” movement faded away. Unfortunately, the mashers, lounge lizards, and all-around creeps, are still going strong. 

The post The Anti-Flirt Club of the 1920s first appeared on History In Memes.

In the pandemic era of the 2020s, we have become quite familiar with societal efforts to move large gatherings outdoors. But have you ever heard of the open air schools of the 20th century?

For most of us, year-round outdoor dining and limited indoor activity is a recent phenomenon that has caused us to change the way we function in our daily lives. But, in reality, open air movements are not all that new. 

At the beginning of the 20th century, tuberculosis was responsible for killing one in seven people in Europe and the United States. Open air schools in the early 20th century were largely an attempt to limit child exposure to the disease, with the hope of keeping the public death toll down. 

With the help of some gifted doctors and architects, these schools were able to thrive.

The First Open Air School

The first open air school was created in Waldschule für kränkliche Kinder (which translates to “forest school for sickly children”), in Charlottenburg, Germany in 1904. The school was built by Walter Spickendorff and founded by Jakob Bernhard Bendix. 

While tuberculosis deaths were not common in children, a discovery by Robert Koch revealed that the tuberculosis was an airborne pathogen widening the public health risk. This discovery also led to the development of a “tuberculin test,” exposing large numbers of asymptomatic infected children. 

Without a cure for tuberculosis, health officials were concerned with large gatherings of children with asymptomatic tuberculosis in traditional schools. The focus became targeting public environments and social behaviors in an attempt to limit exposure to the disease. 

Open air schools, like the one in Charlottenburg, began popping up across Germany and around the world. 

The open air school in Charlottenburg was built in the heart of a forest outside of Berlin. If the weather got too cold or rainy, simple wooden buildings were built to hold well-ventilated instruction. 
An added benefit to the open air school strategy were reports of school children with various diseases experiencing significant improvements in their health as a result of spending so much time outdoors.

Open Air Schools Head to the U.S.

Tuberculosis wasn’t just a European problem. The U.S. was suffering from similar death rates and had relied on sanatoriums to combat the spread of the disease. 

In 1908, open air schools arrived in the U.S. thanks to two Rhode Island doctors: Mary Packard and Ellen Stone. 

Taking a page out of Germany’s book, the two doctors used what resources they had and converted the floor of an empty brick building in Providence to a makeshift open air school. 

With windows that stretched to the ceiling that were rarely closed, children kept warm in the winter with snuggy-like blankets known as “eskimo sitting bags.” Remarkably, none of the children got sick during the frigid New England winters – bolstering the open air school even further. 

Fast forward two years, there were 65 functioning open air schools across the U.S.

Open Air Schools Become Open For Good!

With the growing efficacy and popularity of the open air school movement, renowned architects began constructing permanent open air schools in Europe and the U.S. 

In 1927, Dutch architect Jan Duiker constructed an ambitious terraced glass and concrete open air school in the center of Amsterdam. The goal of making more open air schools permanent was to cater to the health of all children – infected or not. 

The open air school movement that began in the woods of Germany proved that moving class outside can save thousands of lives. What was once a relentless disease now had an observable achilles heel.

By the mid 1940s, increased sanitation efforts, open air methods and the discovery of effective antibiotics like streptomycin, caused tuberculosis to recede as a major health threat. 

So, listen to your teacher, and take it outside!

The post Early 20th Century Open Air Schools first appeared on History In Memes.

And the 1924 Miss America crown goes to… Ruth Malcomson! 

The Miss America competition wasn’t always the televised event known around the world for the flood of tears, shocking reactions, and flowers. Almost 100 years ago, Miss America was just a small-run pageant held in none other than Atlantic City, New Jersey.

The 1924 competition looks very different from what the competition looks like today. And definitely was not at the same level of Hollywood glamor and intensity we see in “Miss Congeniality.” Nonetheless, it was a very popular competition that still draws in a lot of attention from the public, as well as girls all across the country.

So what was this famous pageant like 100 years ago? Here are 10 facts you didn’t know about the 1924 Miss America pageant and its winner, Ruth Malcomson!

1. The Miss America competition in 1924 was the fourth year the competition was running. 

The first pageant, called then the “Atlantic City Pageant,” was held in 1921. Originally, the pageant was a way to encourage visitors to stay in the Atlantic City resort past Labor Day. The very first Miss America winner was Margaret Gorman, Miss Washington, DC, and she received a statue of a golden mermaid.

2. It was held in Atlantic City, New Jersey

More specially, the 1924 Miss America was held at the Million Dollar Pier.

3. The winner was 18-year old Ruth Malcomson

Ruth was previously crowned Miss Philadelphia.

4. Ruth Malcomson competed against over 80 other contestants. 

This was the largest number of contestants in the history of Miss America. 

5. Ruth beat Mary Campbell from Columbus, Ohio. 

Mary was crowned Miss America in 1922 and 1923. She is only two-time winner and was on her way to being a three-time winner, but Ruth had been crowned instead.

6. At the time that Ruth had won, the title she was given was called the “Golden Mermaid.”

You may be wondering: What does a mermaid have to do with a beauty pageant? Well, since the Miss America pageant was frequently held in Atlantic City, New Jersey, on the Pier near the Atlantic Ocean; the pageant was referred to as the “The Atlantic City Pageant.” 

7. Despite being a winner, Ruth Malcomson was not a fan of the competition. 

Ruth actually publicly criticized the pageant in 1925. She stated that: “The pageant now has become nothing but a commercial proposition to exploit the beauties who make their living from their good looks. What chance has an ordinary girl, untrained, to win a contest in which girls who have been trained to make the most of their beauty are competing?”

8. During an interview with the Liberty Magazine, Ruth clapped back at women’s rights groups.

Some women’s rights groups berated and mocked Ruth for being a contestant in the Miss America competition. She also pointed out the fact that these women attacked and tried to tear her down specifically rather than attacking the organization. 

9. This Is How Miss America’s Ruth Malcomson Stayed in Shape in 1924

Want to be as beautiful and elegant as Miss America 1924? Start taking notes because Ruth shared her list of the 10 things she does to stay in top Miss America shape:

1. Rise early
2. Eat a hearty breakfast
3. Exercise
4. No alcohol
5. Smoking is detrimental
6. Get outdoors
7. Eat a light lunch
8. Eat a satisfying dinner
9. Early to bed
10. Sleep

See the evolution of Miss America from the first pageant in 1921 to 2015!

The post What Was Miss America Like 100 Years Ago? first appeared on History In Memes.

Our scars, both physical and not, show the pain we’ve endured, but alsoo what we’ve survived. And, that is definitely the case for Albina Mali-Hodevar.

Albina Mali-Hodevar has become known for her scars. She was a Yugoslavian resistance fighter who made many sacrifices during her time of service. Unfortunately, not many people know her name or story. 

So, let’s dive into the history behind the woman in the picture, to uncover her truth. Here are four questions about Albina Mali – answered!

1. Who Is The Woman In The Photo?

The girl in the photo is named Albina Mali-Hodevar. She was a resistance fighter in Slovenia in 1941 after Germany invaded Yugoslavia during World War II. While World War II is flooded with endless tragic wartime stories, Albina’s story and service to Yugoslavia has gone unnoticed for a long time.

She was born on September 12, 1925, and was one of eight children. At the age of 16, Albina joined the People’s Liberation Movement, which was a part of the People’s Liberation War of Yugoslavia. She was initially designated to be a nurse, but ended up being involved with action on the battlefield.

2. How Did Albina Mali Get Those Scars?

She was wounded a few times during the war. More specifically, she was wounded twice by the age of 17. After her 18th birthday, she was tragically wounded again by exploding mines. During her time of service (1942-1943), she had sustained multiple injuries, including the injury seen in the photograph, which caused a disfigurement of her face and the loss of her eye.

3. What Was Her Role In The War?

Her efforts of assisting continued long after she was no longer on the battlefield. She had transitioned from soldier to nurse, going above and beyond to assist the wounded. Even though she wanted to be a soldier and actively fighting against invaders rather than a nurse, she did not take her new role and responsibilities lightly. Her dedication to her duties and her patients did not go unnoticed by those around her.

Multiple people who were around Albina during her time of service, recall her work on the battlefield as a nurse:

“The nurse Albina always paid more attention to the wounded than to herself”

“She knew neither fear nor exhaustion while… there were wounded [partisans] to be taken care of.”

4. What Happened To Albina Mali After The War?

Due to her dedication, courage, and bravery during particularly hazardous and dangerous situations, the country of Yugoslavia awarded Albina the Yugoslavian Order of the Partisan Star, 3rd class. She then went on to have a prominent role in the government before passing away on January 24, 2001 at age 76.

Albina gave her life and even her eye for freedom. Even though a lot of people have seen this photo, tragically most people don’t know about the incredibly powerful and brave woman behind this photo. There is still a lot unknown about Albina’s life and not many photos of her beyond this one, but what we do know is that she was incredibly courageous and driven to help free her country from invaders and oppression. Her legacy goes beyond this picture. And this photo is a symbol of what horrors and tragedies war puts the men and women serving through, but also what real-life heroes look like.

Watch this video to learn more about Albina Mali-Hodevar’s story!

The post How This Yugoslavian Resistance Soldier Lost Her Eye first appeared on History In Memes.

Everyone knows the iconic “Hollywood” sign resting on the Hollywood mountains in Los Angeles, California as a hopeful, guiding light for those seeking success, fame and fortune. But just like everything (or rather everyone) in Hollywood – it’s had some tune ups and rebranding over the years. Most shocking, the sign originally read “Hollywood Land!” So why did they change the name? And what nicknames came out of the Hollywood sign’s original name?

A-listers and rising stars have long gravitated toward the alluring lights of Hollywood. And one of the most iconic and recognizable features of this town is the “Hollywood” sign, letting everyone know you have entered the land of talent and endless dreams. 

“Hollywood Land”: An Origin Story

When the sign was first put up in 1923, almost 100 years ago, it originally read “HollywoodLand.” Interestingly enough, the sign was intended to be an advertisement for real estate investors and was only meant to be up for 18 months.

It wasn’t until 1949 when the last four letters, “land,” were torn down to reflect the Hollywood area we all know and love – not just represent the one housing development. Now, the sign just reads “Hollywood.”

It’s interesting to see how something as iconic as that sign has been through so many transitions throughout the years. Nowadays, we can’t even imagine that sign reading “Hollywood Land.” This is probably the same way people back in the 1920s couldn’t imagine the last four letters being torn down.

It’s always fascinating to see the roots and background of landmarks. It reminds us that things evolve to fit the times and also opens our eyes to look back in history to see what other iconic landmarks, figures, and things have changed to being what we all know and love today.

Check out the full timeline and history of the Hollywood sign here!

The post Why Did They Change the Original “Hollywood” Sign? first appeared on History In Memes.

Notorious mobster, Al Capone, was arrested multiple times through the 1920s and was even brought to court to face trial in the 1930s. But, his trial and prison sentence wasn’t the result of his involvement in the 1929 “Valentine’s Day Massacre,” his bootlegging or even his murders. 

For someone who once said “they can’t collect legal taxes from illegal money,” Al Capone had an ironic ending when he was sentenced to 11 years in prison for ttax evasion. You would think with all that mob money and power you could afford a decent accountant. 

So when it came down to his trial, why were these attendees hiding from the camera? Let’s dive in and learn the story behind this photo and Al Capone’s trial.

Why Was Al Capone Arrested?

During the 1931 trial in Downtown Chicago, 23 cases of tax evasion were brought against Al Capone. The tax evasion charges stemmed from Capone not filing his taxes during the years of 1924 to 1929. Capone submitted a plea of “guilty” to the charges, but then changed his plea to “not guilty.” But on October 18, 1931, he was found “guilty” of the 1925 tax evasion charge. He was convicted and sentenced to 11 years in prison, which was the longest sentence given on a tax evasion charge. 

Why Are These People Hiding in the Photo?

The featured picture depicts numerous mobsters that showed up to Capone’s trial. But when they were photographed, they used their hats to cover their faces so they were unidentifiable. 

This photo is more ironic than anything else. These mobsters are comfortable committing horrific crimes and acts of violence against people and businesses, but the second a camera is shoved in their face, which would reveal who they really are to the world, they shield from it. They only seem confident and embolden when they operate in the cover of shadows, but once the spotlight is on them, they shrivel up.

The post The Story Behind This Iconic Photo From the Al Capone Trial first appeared on History In Memes.