D.C. winters hit different 100 years ago. For starters, they were a lot colder and a lot snowier. One of the coldest on record was the 1912 arctic freeze that hit the District, plunging temperatures to 13 degrees below zero. The cold wave lasted 42 days, freezing over the Tidal Basin.
This was a rare treat because it created totally smooth ice — perfect for skating. To keep people’s spirits up and minds off their frozen toes, the government committee decided to host an ice carnival.
They constructed a bandstand, hung lights, and prepped the ice. More than 15,000 people arrived to skate. Officials had to limit the skaters to 3,000 at a time to avoid an icy accident.
Skating Party, 1912. (Heritage Images / Getty Images)
The Post described the evening as “a festival worthy of nations where king winter reigns supreme.” Skaters carried lanterns on the ice and bonfires illuminated the basin. It was such a success that it inspired plans to build an ice rink on the Mall.
People continued skating there for decades. Today, it’s no longer allowed, but you can always glide around the sculpture garden rink.
