”Now That War Is Here, What Is My Share?” The Sunday Herald (Boston, MA), April 8, 1917, Editorial Section. World War History, Vol. 232, Image 49. Serial and Government Publications Division.
400 Volumes Now Online
World War I: A Wartime Clipping Service Update
By Arlene Balkansky
Library of Congress
The massive collection, World War History: Newspaper Clippings, 1914 to 1926, is now fully digitized and freely available on the Library of Congress website. The 79,621 pages are packed with war-related front pages, illustrated feature articles, editorial cartoons, and more. You can search by keywords, browse the content chronologically, and download pages.
Coverage begins on June 29, 1914 with articles focusing on the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and continues into the post-war world through Dec. 31, 1926. The clippings provide a tremendous resource for the examination of the devastating Great War and its aftermath. The chronological arrangement of daily press coverage from multiple sources is invaluable.
Keywords can be searched over the entire date range of the volumes or for a time frame as small as a month. New York City newspapers predominate, but newspapers from all over the country and some foreign titles are represented through full pages, clipped articles, and editorial cartoons.
The clippings are frequently from the foreign language American press, including articles in German, French, and Italian. German American newspaper articles are by far the most prevalent, and likely most significant, foreign language coverage because these newspapers faced newsstand boycotts, declining advertising and subscriptions, and government raids, with many out of business by 1919.
Read more: LOC World War I: A Wartime Clipping Service Update
Members of Pershing's Own Chamber Ensemble on stage
Four Question for Staff Sergeant Justin Polybank
Musicians of the United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own” to Present Chamber Music Concert Commemorating the Centennial Anniversary of World War I Armistice
By Madison Menz
Staff Writer
Justin PolyblankOn Thursday, January 17th 2019, musicians from The U.S. Army Band “Pershing’s Own” will present a chamber music concert commemorating the centennial anniversary of the World War I Armistice. The performance takes place at The National Archives’ William G. McGowan Theater, located at 701 Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC 20002, at 7:00 PM. The program features classical chamber music of the group of French composers known as “Les Six.” Following a return peace in Europe, the Montparnasse district of Paris became an epicenter of creativity for composers Georges Auric, Louis Durey, Arthur Honegger, Darius Milhaud, Francis Poulenc, and Germaine Tailleferre. The program features works for piano and voice, as well as mixed winds and brass in a variety of chamber settings, and celebrates the gradual and global return to normalcy in the months and years following the Great War. This performance is free, no tickets required. We had an opportunity to talk about the concert with Staff Sergeant Justin Polybank, who works with the U.S. Army Band, about the upcoming concert, and its importance.
How did you come across the story and pieces of the Les Six?
Having studied Music History for several semesters throughout college and graduate school, I was aware of this group of French composers as well as their time and place of activity. Many of the works produced by Les Six during the years immediately following the end of the war are standard chamber music repertoire to this very day. Realizing earlier in 2018 that we were coming up on the Centennial Anniversary of Armistice Day, I found a renewed interest in their story and music that eventually led to the curation of this program.
What is your favorite piece from the concert that will be played?
My favorite piece on the concert is a work that was published as ‘L’album des Six’ in 1920. The work is a collection of short pieces for solo piano; one from each of the six composers. It’s my favorite because the individual personalities and compositional voices of each of the composers is presented in bite-size portions to the listener. It’s the perfect encapsulation of their cultural movement and a joy to hear in performance.
Is there anything you uncovered from doing this concert just on Les Six's pieces?
The most educational aspect of curating and researching this program was better understanding the historic revival of the Montparnasse district of Paris as an international hub of Post-War art. It truly became a symbol of global healing in the months and years following the war, and I find this to be a very important overarching message within the program itself.
From the World War I Centennial News Podcast
A Discussion with Sir Hew Strachan
In December 14th's WW1 Centennial News Podcast, Episode 101, host Theo Mayer spoke with Sir Hew Strachan, an esteemed professor of International Relations, renowned Great War expert, and prolific author from the United Kingdom. This detailed and engaging discussion delves into the global political consequences of the war, including the fate of several broken empires and the ascendancy of the United States on the world stage. The following is a transcript, edited for clarity:
Theo Mayer: Next, we're joined by Sir Hew Strachan, who some of you met in Episode Number 32 when we spoke about the incredible radio docudrama, Enter the Peace Broker. Sir Hew is one of the most respected World War I historians anywhere. He's the Professor of International Relations at the University of St. Andrews and Emeritus fellow of All Souls College, University of Oxford. Sir Hew, it's wonderful to have you back on the podcast. Thank you for taking the time.
Sir Hew S.: It's a great pleasure too. I'm delighted to be back on.
Theo Mayer: We've been calling it the War That Changed the World. Now, in your opinion, as one of the great subject matter experts on World War One, what would you pick as the top three changes that were brought about by the conflict?
Sir Hew S.: I suppose the first and most obvious thing if you look at it from the perspective of 1918, 1919, is that four of the major empires in the world have collapsed. The shift across Central and Eastern Europe and into Asia and into Central Asia, and down to the Middle East is massive. Here it's essentially a situation where there is a vacuum in terms of governance, in terms of what the successor states will be, all those going on. And possession is nine-tenths of the law. So while the peacemakers are meeting in Paris, these competing entities are fighting each other and the force of arms is deciding a great deal. So that's perhaps a long answer. But I think that's one of the most dramatic changes.
From the World War I Centennial News Podcast
American Battle Monuments Commission
In December 14th's WW1 Centennial News Podcast, Episode 101, host Theo Mayer spoke with Mike Knapp, Chief of Historical Services for the ABMC. The conversation covered topics such as the origins of the ABMC, and America's approach to honoring its war dead following the cessation of hostilities. The following is a transcript of the interview, edited for clarity:
Theo Mayer: Last week, we were joined by Peter Francis and Dr Glyn Prysor of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. We spoke about the history of the commission and its enduring responsibility to the fallen soldiers of the United Kingdom and Commonwealth. Now this week in part two of our Aftermath Special, we want to introduce you to the American Battle Monuments Commission and its responsibility to the US fallen. With us to explore this is Mike Knapp, the Chief of Historical Services from the Commission, also known as the ABMC. Mike, thank you for joining us. Welcome to the podcast.
Mike Knapp: Thank you for having me.
Theo Mayer: Mike, General of the Armies John J. Pershing, the man who led our forces during World War One, had a deep personal involvement in the establishment and direction of the ABMC. Could you tell us about that? 
Mike Knapp: Sure. As I'm sure everybody that follows the podcast knows Pershing leads the American Expeditionary Forces during the war and at the conclusion of the war, he ends up leading an agency whose name is a bit misleading if you look at us nowadays- we're known as the American Battle Monuments Commission. The reason that that's our name and it doesn't have cemetery anywhere in there is there's a little bit of a process. Following the war and almost before the end of the hostilities, certain American units were starting to put up impromptu memorials to their service. And these began to spring up all over Europe. And they ran the gamut in terms of quality and design: some were built out of rubble from the battlefield with rifles and bayonets and helmets stuck in them. In particular, is a somewhat apocryphal story about Pershing who complained that the fifth division, which has a lot of memorials in Europe, basically put one up everywhere a soldier from the fifth division stopped go to the bathroom. His intent was to not have Europe end up looking like Gettysburg with fields and fields covered with monuments and no real overall design.
Read more: Podcast Article - American Battle Monuments Commission
Game to unite enemies at WWI Museum and Memorial
By Caroline Sweeney and Maggie Holmes
via the KCTV5 television web site
KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -- A tradition over a hundred years in the making. From 1914 to 2018.
Dr. Matthew Naylor (center) WW1CC Commissioner and CEO of the National WWI Museum and Memorial, presents the winning trophy for the 2018 WWI Christmas Truce soccer matchup.Local soccer fans came together Wednesday, December 26 to honor the day British and German enemies put aside their differences in favor of some friendly competition.
In the foggy shadow of the World War 1 Memorial and Museum, teams braved the rain, the mud and the post-Christmas wind to play the other kind of football.
“We’re celebrating Truce Day, playing soccer,” said Soraiya Coffman, played in tournament.
KCTV5 caught up with Coffman minutes after her team finished a game.
“It’s cold and it’s wet and we’re having a really good time,” expressed Coffman.
“One of the things about soccer players is they’ll come out in any weather,” explained Matthew Naylor, World War 1 Memorial and Museum.
Teams from across the city played on the memorial’s south east lawn.
The three on three tournament memorializes a spontaneous truce during World War 1 when soldiers stopped being enemies and instead, celebrated the holiday with gifts and sports.
From the World War I Centennial News Podcast
Gold Star Mothers: An Interview with Candy Martin
In December 14th's WW1 Centennial News Podcast, Episode 101, host Theo Mayer spoke with Candy Martin, past National President of the American Gold Star Mothers, about the history and mission of this special organization- especially as it relates to the War That Changed the World. The following is a transcript of the interview, edited for clarity:
Theo Mayer: Candy Martin, welcome back and thanks for joining us again. Candy, first off would you please refresh our audience's recollection about the mission of the American Gold Star Mothers organization?
Candy Martin: American Gold Star Mothers has a mission with a heart. It's a mission of service to veterans and their families. And we'd like to say that we continue the service that our fallen sons and daughters never got to finish. So it's really special to me knowing that there are other veterans, other families out there who are maybe a little bit more comfortable, because there's Gold Star Mothers out there who truly have a heart and care.
Theo Mayer: Candy, let's talk about the Gold Star pilgrimage of the 1930s. What was it? Who participated? Who organized it?
USS Olympia at the Independence Seaport Museum in Philadelphia.
Four Question for John Brady
"We owe a considerable debt to the veterans of the Great War."
By Chris Isleib
Director of Public Affairs, United States World War One Centennial Commission
As we all know, the WWI-era Battle Cruiser USS Olympia played a significant role in WWI, providing Naval support, helping with convoy duty, and bringing the Unknown Soldier home from France. The ship continues in her duties, as she uniquely tells the American WWI story in her role as a museum ship in city of Philadelphia. Last month, Olympia played host to a special Armistice Centennial ceremony that included participation in our Bells of Peace effort. We had a chance to hear about it from John Brady, President, Board of Directors, Flagship Olympia Foundation.
USS Olympia had a big 11 Nov — Commemoration plus Bells of Peace! Please tell us about what you all did. Who put it all together? What partners did you have?
The Independence Seaport Museum, with assistance from the Chapel of the Four Chaplains, Naval Support Activity Philadelphia, and local sea cadets, hosted the event.
How was the event received? Who did you meet, what did you take away from the experience?
The event was well attended by representatives from the local veterans and business community. Active duty military personnel including Admiral Heinz, Commander, NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support, also attended the event. Speakers included Congressman Brady and former Vietnam War POW Ralph Galati.
Read more: Four Question for John Brady, Cruiser Olympia staff
About the WWI Commemorative Silver Dollar & how it helps build the National WWI Memorial
By Chris Isleib
Director of Public Affairs, United States World War One Centennial Commission
The U.S. Mint's collectible 2018 World War I Centennial Commemorative Silver Dollar is only officially available for two more days after Christmas: The coin goes off-sale at the Mint on December 27, 2018 at 11:59 PM EST.
Buying this collectible coin helps the United States World War I Centennial Commission to build the new National WWI Memorial in Washington DC. Here is how it works.
Congress authorizes commemorative coins that celebrate and honor American people, places, events, and institutions. Although these coins are legal tender, they are not minted for general circulation. Each commemorative coin is produced by the United States Mint in limited quantity and is only available for a limited time.
As well as commemorating important aspects of American history and culture, these coins help raise money for important causes. Part of the price of these coins is a surcharge that goes to organizations and projects that benefit the community. For example, surcharges on the U.S. Capitol Visitor Center commemorative coins helped build a new visitor center under the U.S. Capitol’s East Plaza.
Since the modern commemorative coin program began in 1982, the United States Mint has raised more than $506,301,189 in surcharges to help build new museums, maintain national monuments like the Vietnam War Memorial, preserve historical sites like George Washington’s home, support various Olympic programs, and much more.
In this case, Congress authorized this coin surcharge to support the United States Foundation for the Commemoration of the World Wars, the WWI Centennial Commission's foundation partner in building the Memorial.
Contemporary painting of the Paris Peace Conference, 1919.
Kluge Center Symposium Marks the Centennial of the Paris Peace Conference
By Benny Seda-Galarzi
Library of Congress
On Wednesday, January 16, 2019, the John W. Kluge Center at the Library of Congress will host a panel discussion to mark the 100th anniversary of the Paris Peace Conference, “The United States and the World: Legacies of the Paris Peace Conference.” The symposium will be held at 3 p.m. in room LJ-119 of the Library’s Thomas Jefferson Building, 10 First St. S.E., Washington, D.C.
Free tickets are available for this event, but not required. Tickets are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Visit this event ticketing site, https://eventbrite.com/e/the-united-states-and-the-world-legacies-of-the-paris-peace-conference-tickets-53148340116, for more information and to secure your ticket. Entry is not guaranteed.
This discussion will explore the legacies of a pivotal period in world history, including themes of Wilsonianism, the ideological origins of the United Nations, the projection of American power and a new international order.
Read more: Kluge Center Symposium Marks the Centennial of the Paris Peace Conference
Partially-completed production still shows the process of film colorization and restoration that took place, to create the film THEY SHALL NOT GROW OLD.
Four Questions for Mark Simone
"It was incredibly gratifying for all of us involved."
By Chris Isleib
Director of Public Affairs, United States World War One Centennial Commission
Mark Simone is a successful young post-production specialist in Hollywood, with such rermarkable credits as STAR WARS EPISODE VIII - THE LAST JEDI, STAR WARS - THE FORCE AWAKENS, FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM, GODZILLA, etc. He was the lead for his company, Stereo D, in their work with the Peter Jackson WWI documentary, THEY SHALL NOT GROW OLD. Mark's job was to bring the film alive in 3-Dimensional imaging, which was the preferred format for the director, as he envisioned the film. Mark's company, Stereo D is unique. Stereo D, a Deluxe company, is an award-winning, recognized leader in high-quality conversions of 2D theatrical content into stereoscopic 3D imagery. Our studio works with major award-winning motion picture studios and filmmakers to bring their vision of 3D storytelling to the screen. Our services also include end-to-end 3D production services on feature films, television productions and commercials. Here at Stereo D, we employ the best artists and stereographers in the industry who work with our patented proprietary VDX software to create the most dynamic and beautiful 3D imagery available today. We got a chance to talk to Mark about the film, and his experience working on it. 
Mark Simone
First -- Incredible, incredible work. What is your background? How did you come to be part of this incredible film project?
Thank you! I've been a Stereo Producer at Stereo D since 2013. I typically (along with a Stereographer) oversee a team working on the conversion of large-scale feature films from 2D to 3D.
About 3 years ago Peter Jackson brought us a "test" - meaning he wanted to see if it was possible to fulfill the vision he saw for the material - the archived footage from the Imperial War Museum. We had worked with his visual effects team in the past on other feature films so he had a sense of our capabilities. The test was to see if we could restore, colorize and convert to 3D this 100-year-old highly degraded footage to look pristine enough to edit together into a documentary that would be worthy of Peter Jackson's high standards in memorializing the sacrifice those soldiers made so many years ago.
Westford crafters create poppies for WWI remembrance
By Joy Richard
via the Westford (MA) Eagle newspaper wickedlocal.com web site
The Westford Museum knew they wanted to honor the past with their annual contribution to the local Festival of Trees, so they chose a colorful and solemn expression of remembrance, 100 handcrafted poppies.
The poppies were crocheted and knitted by 15 crafters, Westford residents and volunteers known to the museum.
The Westford Family FunFest and the Westford Business Association will hold the sixth annual Festival of Trees from today through Thursday, Dec. 27, at the Westford Regency Inn, 219 Littleton Road.
Westford Museum’s newest director Linda Greene said having the poppy Christmas tree featured at during the Westford Regency’s festival was not only a way to embrace the holiday season, but pay homage to the 100th anniversary of the end of World War I.
“I originally [found out about the idea] through my mom,” said Greene, who became the director of the museum and Historical Society in November.
She added her mother brought her into the fold of making poppies for a project in Methuen, an effort larger than the Westford project, but working toward the same goal, honoring those lost 100 years ago. “It was a fun little project. Then I heard about other towns like Carlisle just did a big poppy memorial, so I thought we could bring that kind of project here.”
Read more: Westford crafters create poppies for WWI remembrance
Snow covers the hillsides and train station roof in Philppsheim, Germany, as it might have 100 years ago when Doughboy George A. Carlson spent Christmas 1918 in the village, billeted with a German family.
A Doughboy’s Christmas, Germany 1918
By Jeffrey A. Lowdermilk
Special to the United States World War I centennial Commission web site
Editor's note: The following is an excerpt from pages 96 and 97 of Jeffrey A. Lowdermilk's book Honoring The Doughboys: Following My Grandfather’s World War I Diary.
The 89th Division’s task during the occupation of Germany was to guard the rail line between Trier and Prüm, Germany. The 353rd Infantry Regiment secured the northern rail section and spent most of the occupation in or near the town of Prüm. However, during Christmas of 1918, Granddad and a small number of his company were billeted with families in the village of Philippsheim.
George A. Carlson, 89th Division, 353rd Infantry Regiment, Company A, from Denver, Colorado in World War I (left), and Grandpa Johann in 2007. The two may have shared a Christmas celebration in Philippsheim, Germany in 1918Years ago, my mother told me Granddad’s 1918 Christmas story.
He and his pal, Walter Spencer, stayed only a few days with a family in the village.
On Christmas Eve, he and his friend talked it over and decided they should leave for a few hours so that the family could celebrate Christmas by themselves. So, they went for a walk and most likely saw other friends in their unit.
After some time had passed, they returned home and found the family patiently waiting for them, so they could all have Christmas together.
After four years of a world gone mad, humanity had been restored.
Walking through the tiny village (maybe fifteen homes) of Philippsheim during late June 2007, I was thirsty and went into a small, single-story inn to see if I could get a bottle of water. Inside the lobby, a friendly fellow in his mid-twenties stood up from behind the desk and asked if there was anything I needed. I told him, and he gave me a glass of water.
As I drank, he asked in excellent English, “What brings you to Philippsheim?” I told him the Christmas story. “Oh my God, you need to meet Grandpa Johann!” he said with great excitement.
Last Days to Buy
U.S. Mint to Close Sales for 2018 WWI Centennial Silver Dollar Dec. 27th
By Chris Isleib
Director of Public Affairs, United States World War One Centennial Commission
WASHINGTON, DC: The U.S. Mint will conclude sales for their collectible 2018 World War I Centennial Silver Dollar on December 27th, 2018.
The coin was authorized by Congress to honor the 100th anniversary of American participation in World War I, and to help provide financial support to the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission via a surcharge on the coin's sales.
Colonel Gerald York, grandson of famous World War I hero, Sergeant Alvin York, makes the first purchase at the Mint's lobby gift shop, in Washington, DC on January 17, 2018. The Mint will ends sales of the coin on December 27, 2018.Sales opened on January 17th of 2018. A ceremonial 'first purchase' of the coin was made at U.S. Mint Headquarters by Colonel Gerald York, grandson of famous World War I hero, Sergeant Alvin York. He made the first purchase at the Mint's lobby gift shop, in Washington, DC.
Sales have been solid. Nearly 150,000 of the collectible coins have sold in the past year, in Proof, Brilliant Uncirculated, and in special coin/medal sets offered by the U.S. Mint. Some 40,000 coins sold in the first week of availability, and over 100,000 coins sold in the first month.
Terry Hamby, Chair of the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission expressed satisfaction with the World War I Commemorative Silver Dollar program. "These veterans should be remembered. During World War I, nearly five million American men and women placed their lives on hold. Many deployed to places that most had never visited, to fight for the freedom of people they never met. They did not do this for personal gain, they did it solely to bring peace to the world.”
The World War I Centennial Silver Dollar was authorized by statute in 2014 with bipartisan Congressional support. Sponsors of the legislation included U.S. Senator Roy Blunt (R-Missouri), Senator Claire McCaskill (D-Missouri), U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II (D-Missouri), and U.S. Representative Doug Lamborn (R-Colorado).