The year 1914 was an important year in American and world history

This week’s paper marks the final edition of The Courant for the year 2013, and next week’s paper will be the first edition of the year 2014. Much has taken place in Conecuh County and in the rest of the world during the preceding year, and I’m sure that we’ll be able to say the same this time next year.

Next week, in this space, as I do on the first week of every month, I’ll offer up my monthly review of all the interesting things that were happening in Conecuh County a century ago, way back in January 1914.

The year 1914 was an interesting year in history, and you might be surprised by some of the things that occurred during that year a century ago.

Probably the most significant thing to occur in 1914 was the June 28 assassination of Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Duchess Sophie. This killing, which occurred in Sarajevo, eventually plunged the world into one of the bloodiest conflicts ever, what we call today World War I.

In September 1914, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission was established, and in November of that year the Federal Reserve Bank of the United States officially opened for business. It was also that year that everyday items made of stainless steel were first sold to the general public.

Also that year, on March 29, explorer-researchers William Scoresby Routledge and Katherine Routledge arrived on Easter Island to make the first formal study of that mysterious island. They remained there until Aug. 1915.

In the realm of movies and film, famous actor Charlie Chaplin debuted in his first film, a short comedy called “Making a Living.” Paramount Pictures was founded on May 8, 1914, and Cecil B. DeMille made his debut as a director.

Among books and writers, famous author Ralph Ellison was born on March 1 and poet Dylan Thomas was born on Oct. 27. Edgar Rice Burroughs’ book “Tarzan of the Apes” and James Joyce’s “Dubliners” were also first published in 1914.

In the wide world of sports, Pittsburgh Pirate Honus Wagner became the first baseball player to record 3,000 career hits. Also that year, Babe Ruth made his major league debut with the Boston Red Sox. The 1914 college football national title was shared by four teams – Auburn, Army, Illinois and Texas.

The Boston Braves swept the Philadelphia Athletics, 4-0, to win the 1914 World Series, and Jack Johnson was the World Heavyweight Boxing Champion. On March 1, 1914, famous baseball broadcaster Harry Caray was born, and boxer Joe Louis was born on May 13 in Lafayette, Ala. Baseball legend Joe DiMaggio was born on Nov. 25.

Other famous people born in 1914 included Army general William Westmoreland, Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl, Superman co-creator and comic book writer Jerry Siegel, polio vaccine creator Jonas Salk and mountaineer Tenzing Norgay, who was one of the first two people to summit Mount Everest. Famous people who died in 1914 included U.S. Vice President Adlai Stevenson.

As you can see, 1914 was an eventful year in American and world history. Who’s to say was 2014 will bring, but I’m sure that it will likely be as eventful as that remarkable year a century ago.