February 8: "Birth of a Nation"

On this date in History  ..... 1915:

D.W. Griffith’s “Birth of a Nation” is released in Los Angeles. 

 

Made for slightly more than $100,000 (the largest amount ever spent on a film at the time), it grossed over $10 million worldwide in its 1^st year. It was the first film shown in the White House, to Woodrow Wilson.

 

While the film has been credited as “groundbreaking”, many cities refused to allow the movie, depicting the Ku Klux Klan as “the good guys”, to be shown.  In many cities where it was shown, riots to protest broke out. Tickets were $2 when it opened, which was really expensive. It equates to about $17-$20 today.

 

Director Griffith had the whole script in his head and didn’t write out one word or keep notes. Black characters were frequently played by white actors in black make-up, particularly those who were required to come in contact with white actresses.

 

The KKK used it as a recruiting tool as late as the 1970s. It is credited with reviving the KKK, which had been considered dead for quite some time.  The same year of the movie's release, the KKK organization staged a 're-birth' in Georgia.

 

The film inspired many African Americans to begin making their own films to counter the images depicted in this one and to show African Americans in a much more positive light with alternative stories.  The NAACP's attempt to ban the film failed.

 

 

January 28: First Jewish Nomination to Supreme Court

On this date in History ..... 1916:

Woodrow Wilson nominates the first Jewish person to the Supreme Court. 

 

Louis Brandeis, born in Louisville, KY, to Jewish immigrant parents, was a Harvard graduate at the age of 20 with the highest grade average in the college’s history.

 

As a lawyer, he fought against large corporations, monopolies and corruption. When he was financially secure, be began taking cases for no pay, earning the name “A Robin Hood of the law”. He set a precedent in evidence presentation when he used expert testimony from those in other professions to support his case(s). 

 

His court nomination was bitterly contested as many thought he was brilliant but as a crusader for social justice, he was considered dangerous. But he was considered even more dangerous than the norm because he was (1) incorruptible and (2) Jewish.  

 

He was confirmed and became one of the most influential justices to serve on the court.

December 26: U.S. Railroads are Nationalized

On this date in History ..... 1917:

Eight months after entering WWI, Pres. Wilson nationalized the railroads. 

 

The railroads were in financial straits due to rising taxes and operation costs, on top of prices that were fixed by law. Wilson saw they were unable to support the war effort and set up the U.S. Railroad Admnistration to streamline them. Over 100,000 new railroad cars and almost 2000 engines were ordered.

 

The Railroad Control Act (passed in March 1918) stated the railroads would be turned back over to the owners within 21 months of a signed peace treaty. In March 1920, the railroad owners again took possession of their property.

 

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