Life — February 21, 1901 — page 1: what you’re looking at

What you’re looking at

# Life Magazine, February 21, 1901 This page features a satirical illustration with the caption: "It is said that when George Washington had the measles, he broke out gloriously." The image shows a baby or infant covered in measles spots, lying in bed. The joke is a pun playing on the phrase "broke out gloriously"—which normally means to succeed spectacularly—but here applies literally to the visible skin eruption of measles. The reference to George Washington suggests this is commentary on American patriotism or national pride, using the founding father as a historical touchstone. The humor relies on the crude visual of a spotted infant combined with the double meaning of "broke out," typical of Life magazine's wordplay-based satire from this era.