Washington, D.C. — The United States World War I Centennial
Commission today officially announced the national ceremony commemorating the
centennial of the United States entry into World War I, a war that changed the
nation and the world forever.
The national ceremony, “In Sacrifice for Liberty and Peace:
Centennial Commemoration of the U.S. Entry in World War I,” will be held on
April 6, 2017 at the National World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City,
Mo. Invited attendees include the President of the United States; Congressional
leadership; Cabinet members; State governors; U.S. military leaders; veteran
organizations; representatives from U.S. military legacy units that trace their
history back to World War I; descendants of significant American WWI figures;
and other organizations, dignitaries, and VIPs. International invitees include
the Heads of State of Australia, Austria, Belgium, Canada, France, Germany,
Hungary, Italy, the United Kingdom, and all other nations whose people were
involved in the Great War.
On April 6, 1917, after much debate, the United States
entered World War I. The ceremony in Kansas City, and complementary events
around the nation, will encourage every American to reflect on what that moment
meant, how it continues to influence the nation, and how every American family,
then and now, is linked to that perilous time.
“The April 6 ceremony in Kansas City is an important element
of the national conversation about World War I,” said Dan Dayton, executive
director of the World War I Centennial Commission. “Why should we care? Because
we are all products of World War I. The entire country was involved— everyone
has a story. The Commission’s goal is to inspire you to find your personal
story and connection.”
“In Sacrifice for Liberty and Peace: Centennial Commemoration
of the U.S. Entry in World War I” will consist principally of the reading of
passages from significant and representative American writings of a century ago
about the U.S. decision to enter the war, including selections from speeches,
journalism, literature, poetry, and performance of important music of the time.
Invited American readers include the President of the United States,
Congressional leadership, and descendants of U.S. World War I veterans. Certain
Heads of State from other nations are invited to read passages reflecting the
reaction of their respective nations to the U.S. entry into the war in 1917.
The ceremony will also include flyovers by U.S. aircraft and
Patrouille de France, as well as a military band, color guard, ceremonial
units, and video productions. Students across the nation will participate in
this historic event, learning how WWI changed the United States and the world.
America’s entry into the Great War created profound change
throughout the country. WWI military Historian and archivist at the National
Archives and Records Administration Mitchell Yockelson explains that “although
the union was again whole after the end of the American Civil War, the United
States remained fractured. Recovery was slow until the turning point of
reconciliation occurred 52 years later. On April 6, 1917, Americans cast aside
past sectional and political differences, donned the same uniform and fought as
one under a singular president and field commander in the Great War.”
World War I Centennial Commissioner Dr. Monique Seefried
said it is critical that the nation remember the momentous events of World War
I.
“It is so important to understand the debate that was going
on within the United States about entering World War l. In reaching that
decision, the nation became united for the first time in decades. Our goal was
to bring peace to a world that had become inflamed. The subsequent decisions
and actions taken 100 years ago helped shape and define the world we live in
today.”
Designated by the U.S. Congress in 2004 as the official
museum dedicated to WWI, and in 2014 as America's National World War I Museum
and Memorial, the Museum is uniquely positioned to host the official Commission
event. “It’s a fitting tribute to those who served in the Great War that we
commemorate the entry of the United States into World War I in the very same
place where millions of visitors from across the world have paid tribute for
nearly a century,” said National World War I Museum and Memorial President and
CEO and World War l Commissioner Dr. Matthew Naylor. “The National World War I
Museum and Memorial is committed to remembering, understanding and interpreting
the Great War and its enduring impact and this event underscores how this
calamitous conflict continues to significantly affect everyone to this day.”
The ceremony launches an 18-month long commemoration period
of the United States’ involvement in WWI, marked by anniversaries of specific
events of the war, including major engagements of U.S. forces, key local dates,
and more. More information on key events can be found at ww1cc.org/events.
For additional information or to request an interview with
the Commission or its spokespeople, please contact Paulo Sibaja,
psibaja@susandavis.com or 202-414-0798.
About the World War I Centennial Commission
The Commission was established by the World War I Centennial
Commission Act, passed by the 112th Congress and signed by President Barack
Obama on January 16, 2013, and is responsible for planning, developing, and
executing programs, projects, and activities to commemorate the centennial of
World War I. The mission is to educate the country’s citizens about the causes,
courses and consequences of the war; honor the heroism and sacrifice of those
Americans who served, and commemorate the Great War through public programs and
initiatives. To learn more about the Commission activities, visit
ww1cc.org/tools.
To further the mission, the Commission is leading the effort
to build the National World War I Memorial at Pershing Park in Washington, D.C.
to honor the 4.7 million American veterans who served. To learn more about the
Memorial, visit ww1cc.org/memorial.
The Commission’s founding sponsor is the Pritzker Military
Museum and Library (PMML) in Chicago, Ill. PMML is a nonpartisan research
institution dedicated to enhancing public understanding of military history and
the sacrifices made by America's veterans and service members. To learn more
about PMML, visit www.pritzkermilitary.org.
About the National World War I Museum and Memorial
The National World War I Museum and Memorial is America’s
leading institution dedicated to remembering, interpreting and understanding
the Great War and its enduring impact on the global community. The Museum holds
the most diverse collection of World War I objects and documents in the world
and is the second-oldest public museum dedicated to preserving the objects,
history and experiences of the war. The Museum takes visitors of all ages on an
epic journey through a transformative period and shares deeply personal stories
of courage, honor, patriotism and sacrifice. Designated by Congress as
America’s National World War I Museum and Memorial and located in downtown
Kansas City, Mo., the National World War I Museum and Memorial inspires
thought, dialogue and learning to make the experiences of the Great War era
meaningful and relevant for present and future generations. To learn more,
visit theworldwar.org.
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