Illinois Centennial Events - World War I Centennial site

OUR MISSION STATEMENT

Records compiled by the Office of the Adjutant General show that Illinois gave 351,153 men to the armed forces of the United States during the war, the third highest total number. To commemorate the centenary of our involvement in the Great War, the Illinois World War I Centennial Committee has a mission to:

ADVOCATE. Encourage other entities in Illinois to recognize the contributions of Illinois to the First World War.

EDUCATE. Develop tools to educate others about the contributions of Illinois to the First World War.

FACILITATE. Support other entities that are recognizing the contributions of Illinois to the First World War.

ELEVATE. Recognize and celebrate Illinois veterans and civilians for their sacrifices and contributions to the First World War.

PARTICIPATE. Join other states in a national effort to recognize veterans and civilians for their sacrifices and contributions to the First World War throughout the United States.

ILLINOIS INSTITUTIONS IN THE GREAT WAR

A growing number of institutions, companies, and universities are contributing their wartime stories for posterity. Learn more about them here.

COMMEMORATIVE ACTIVITIES IN ILLINOIS

An interim report on commemorative activities at Illinois cultural institutions can be found here.

PRITZKER MILITARY MUSEUM & LIBRARY

Illinois is fortunate indeed to be the home of the Pritzker Military Museum & Library, whose commitment and sponsorship of Illinois and National World War One centenary commemoration efforts has been both tireless and unswerving.

PROCLAMATION ESTABLISHING THE COMMITTEE

On April 1, 2016, Governor Bruce Rauner issued a proclamation officially recognizing the Illinois World War One Centennial Committee

By Year

By Month

By Week

Today

Weekly View

May 18, 2025 - May 24, 2025