The Chicago Cubs beating the Cleveland Indians in the World Series is the talk of the week. Partially because of the high school senior that predicted the Cubs winning in his senior quote in 1993. But also, because the Cubs have not won the World Series since 1908. Yes, you read that right. 1908. It’s been 108 years. Life in the United States was completely different 108 years ago. Let’s see what life was like last time the Cubs held the title of World Series Champions…
The year was 1908. The president of the United States was Theodore Roosevelt.
The population of the United States was 88 million.
There were only 46 states in the United States (New Mexico, Arizona, Alaska, and Hawaii were not part of the U.S.A. yet).
Women voting = not a thing yet
Only 8 percent of homes had a telephone.
The maximum speed limit in most cities was 10 mph.
The average wage was 22 cents per hour.
There were 230 documented murders nationwide that year.
The average worker made between $200 and $400 per year.
Iced tea? Not a thing yet.
Sugar cost 4 cents a pound.
Eggs were 14 cents a dozen.
Coffee was 15 cents a pound.
The average life expectancy was 47.
The ball signifying the new year dropped in Times Square in NYC for the first time.
The 4th modern Olympic Games opened in London.
2 out of every 10 American adults couldn’t read or write.
There were only 144 miles of paved roads.
Pneumonia was the number one cause of death.
The entire population of Las Vegas, Nevada, was only 30.
The Ottoman Empire still existed.
The first Mother’s Day was observed.
Henry Ford introduced the Model T car, which costed $825.
6,210 people (the smallest crowd at a World Series) watched the Cubs beat the Tigers.
Albert Einstein presented his Quantum Theory of Light.
The Cubs played at West Side Park, not Wrigley Field.
The first postage stamps in rolls were issued.
The NBA, NHL, and NFL did not exist yet.
Mankind had not landed on the moon yet.
The Titanic was not built yet.
Radio and television weren’t invented yet.
This was the same year that the famous baseball song “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” made its debut.
95% of births took place at home.
Marijuana, heroin, and morphine were all available over the counter at your local drug store.
The Eiffel Tower was considered the “tallest building” in the world.
Congrats Cubs!
