At the turn of the 20th century the world was facing a host of changes- industrialization, urbanization, mechanization, and a revolution in the role of women in society. And not everyone was on board with the changes. The conflict came to a head in January, 1908, when the New York City Board of Aldermen banned women smoking in public, sparking a debate that seems at once both remarkably anachronistic and shockingly familiar today.
By September of 1944, the Western Allies had broken out of the Normandy beachehead, and suddenly and quickly moved across northern France . By September 7th, the 90th division was stretched across the northern sector on Patton’s Third Army’s left, advancing slowly northeast. As they did so the German defenders made a risky attack in an effort to spoil the allied advance, cutting through Allied lines in a surprise action at the small town of Mairy-Mannville.