The Date Is: October 10, 1924

Recreation and Entertainment in DC

The Senators and the Pilots The Washington Senators were one of the original franchises in baseball’s American League, which began play in 1900 The Senators were not very successful, but: Walter Johnson, one of the greatest pitchers in baseball history, played for the Senators from 1907 to 1927 The Senators won one World Championship, in 1924—resulting in wild celebrations on U Street The Washington Pilots were DC’s franchise in baseball’s Negro Leagues The Pilots regularly out-drew the hapless Senators Both teams played at Griffith Stadium; The stadium, located at the intersection of Georgia and Florida Avenues, was probably the most racially integrated place in the city The Senators and the Pilots

The Washington Football Team 1937—The Redskins move from Boston to DC Led by “Slingin’” Sammy Baugh, the ‘Skins won the NFL Championship in their first season in DC and again in 1942, and quickly surpassed the Senators as the most-loved team in the city One of the most unique aspect of the franchise is the 55-piece band that plays at home games Team owner George Preston Marshall was a notorious racist: He refused to sign any black players to the team until he was forced to do so by the Kennedy Administration in 1962, under threat of expulsion from the city Marshall’s racist views caused many black residents to abandon their support for the team—and switch their loyalty to the expansion Dallas Cowboys in 1960 The Washington Football Team

Parks and Amateur Sports DC had a higher percentage of park land than any other major city Parks contained golf courses, playing fields, tennis courts, archery ranges, and playgrounds—encouraging amateur athletic competition: Baseball and softball leagues quickly sprung up; The Government softball league was one of the largest and most competitive Boating and canoeing were common activities on the Potomac River Swimming pools multiplied in the 1930s; these facilities were segregated: Black pools: Howard, Banneker, Francis Junior High White pools: Municipal, Georgetown, Rosedale, McKinley, and Takoma Parks and Amateur Sports

National Theater—the city’s oldest, survived as a home for stage plays and musicals Served as a “tryout” venue for plays hoping to make it to Broadway Only whites were allowed there Howard Theater—the liveliest theater in the city One of five major theaters on the “black circuit” in the 1920s Plays, musicals, and music acts performed there Washington natives Duke Ellington, Cab Calloway, and Ella Fitzgerald were regular performers Theater and Music

What is your FAVORITE recreational activity in DC? Write one paragraph describing the activity and/or explaining why you enjoy it so much. Should the Washington football team be forced (by the NFL or by the federal government) to change its nickname? Discussion Questions

Homework A.R.E. Writing Assignment #4: Considering the history of Washington, DC’s NFL franchise, should the team’s ownership be forced (by the league or by the federal government) to change its nickname? Due: Monday, March 13 (Mastery Check Grade) Homework