1916

What Was Happening in 1916

The Somme and Verdun — industrial slaughter on an unimaginable scale as the war reaches its darkest hour.

Born in

Number 1 Songs in 1916 — UK and US Charts

UK #1

"Roses of Picardy"

Hayden Wood

A tender love song set against the backdrop of the war in France, it became one of the most popular ballads of the conflict and remains a staple of remembrance concerts.

US #1

"Poor Butterfly"

Victor Military Band

An orchestral waltz inspired by Puccini's Madama Butterfly, it was one of the best-selling recordings of 1916 in the United States.

Biggest Films of 1916 — Box Office Hits

Intolerance

Box Office: $1,000,000 (estimated)

D.W. Griffith's ambitious four-story epic spanning 2,500 years of history was a commercial failure on release but is now regarded as one of the most influential films ever made, pioneering cross-cutting and large-scale set design.

Fashion and Style of 1916

Fashion, clothing and visual culture from the era

Architecture and Buildings of 1916

Buildings completed and structures opened in 1916

More About 1916

What Was Happening — A journey through the years