OF OLD NEW YORK

Celebration of the 507th Anniversary of the
Birth of Joan of Arc

At a time when the soldiers of France and America
were fighting side by side in a great cause it seems emi¬
nently appropriate that the birth of that saintly and
inspiring warrior, Joan of Arc, should be celebrated as
an event of appealing interest. Of all the nations that
have warred in Europe and have garlanded their history
with heroic deeds, it remains to be said of France and
of France alone that her wars have been won, not so
much by the skillful movements of her armies, but rather
by a mysterious influence which takes possession of the
spirits of the soldiers and of their commanders and
makes them invincible. The gentle and pure-hearted
Maid of Orleans led the disorganized and disheartened
soldiers of France to the glorious victories which saved
her country, and the same influence was evidenced in
the marvellous victory of the Marne.

The celebration of the 507th anniversary of the birth
of Joan of Arc took place January 6, 1919, and combined
with it was the naming of the Joan of Arc Park which
extends from 91st to 95th Street. The celebration was
in the evening and a feature of special interest was the
firing of a salute from the U. S. Cruisers Pennsylvania
and Utah by direction of Hon. Josephus Daniels, Secre¬
tary of the Navy. The Pennsylvania was anchored off
89th Street and the Utah off 95th Street. As the cere¬
monies began the Pennsylvania threw a ray of light
northward at an angle of thirty degrees and the Utah
likewise to the south, so that the two bars of light crossed
over the statue of Joan of lArc. Later in the evening
the rays were deflected so as to form a cross of light

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