The “Spanish” Flu/Influenza Pandemic of 1918 was a virus that effected the respiratory system and infected over 500 million people globally, and killed between 20 to 50 million people. As the strain of the H1N1 virus spread transnationally, it was coined the “Spanish Flu” because of the Spain’s coverage of the influenza and freedom of its press during World War I. Since Spain was a neutral country during the war, when the country reported on their first diagnosed person, journalist were allowed to report openly and accurately. However, coverage of the flu beyond Spain was censored to keep morale high for soldiers; and thus since the Spaniards were the only one reporting on it, society deemed the epicenter to be Spain.

As America tried to grapple with the first wave of the influenza in the late Spring of 1918, and even a harsher second wave in the fall of 1918, closures occurred as prevention measures to stop the spread of the disease. As businesses started to close, entertainment spaces were first to go, which included music halls, clubs and even theater. However, the film industry, particularly in Michigan fought against societal views of motion pictures as mere entertainment and as a form a public health education and communication.

Works Cited

1. Advertisement for Columbia Theatre [Advertisement]. (1911, December 10). Detroit Free Press, p. D13.
2. Advertisement for National Theatre [Advertisement]. (1911, September 24). Detroit Free Press, p. C3.
3. “Ban Off”, Says inches; “No Sir,” Avers Sleeper. (1918, November 5). Detroit Free Press, p. 1.
4. Detroit Theatres are Open. (1918, November 2). Moving Picture World, p. 575.
5. “Flu”: Chicago and Middle Western Points Take Action. (1918, December 17). Film Daily, p. 1
6. Governor Sleep Issues Proclamation Closing State Because of Influenza Spread. (1918, October 19). Grand Rapids News, p. 1.
7. Health Officials Begin Fight Against the “Flu”. (1918, October 9). Grand Rapids News, p. 1.
8. Lift Flu Ban; Theaters Open Thursday Night. (1918, November 6). Grand Rapids News
9. Michigan Closing Emanates from Lansing. (1918, November 2). Motion Picture News, p. 2.
10. Michigan Board of Health. (1918, October 9). Public Aid Asked in Influenza War. Detroit Free Press, p. 6.
11. Sleeper Closes All Gatherings. (1918, October 19). Detroit News.
12. State Closing Ban Lifted for Friday. (1918, November 7). Detroit News, p. 2.
13. State Divided on Ban Action (1918, November 1). Lansing State Journal.
14. State to Open Within a Week. (1918, November 2). Detroit News.
15. Strassfeld, B. (2017). Infectious Media: Debating the Role of Movie Theaters in Detroit during the Spanish Influenza of 1918. Historical Journal of Film, Radio and Television, 38(2), 227-245. doi:10.1080/01439685.2017.1300002
16. Theaters Save Michigan from New “Flu” Ban. (1918, December 8). Grand Rapids Herald.