WW1 Centennial News for Wednesday February 1, 2017- Episode #5
Highlights
1. Texas to hold state wide planning conference
2. February events posted by Georgia, New Jersey and Library of Congress
3. 100C/100M program - just over 130 days left for grant submissions
4. Put your ancestors stories of service into the national archive on WW1
5. Germans re-instate unrestricted submarine warefare
6. Great War Channel episode on Native Americans in WW1
Get links below - Watch the podcast above
WW1 Centennial News - Weekly Video Podcast
February 1, 2017
World War One NOW
Updates from the States
State Outreach Call
The monthly State Outreach Call is tomorrow, Thursday, February 2 at 12 noon EST. Theo will be joining Andrew McGreal for an update on the 100 Cities / 100 Memorials program. With just over 130 days left - It’s time for an update on how you, your state, your county, your post, your chapter can get part of the $200,000 the program is giving away for rescuing ailing WW1 Memorials.
The meeting is open to anyone and you can register through the link in the chatroom.
Link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5156713208829555970
Texas
This Friday, Texas will be webcasting its statewide planning conference. This is an all day event that will develop activities for communities & organizations, show tricks for finding key partners, and for promoting commemoration events. The webcast is open to anyone - and the link is in the chatroom. [Texans are a friendly bunch and i’m sure they’ll make you feel welcome]
Link: https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/7097474381480105729
Georgia
Let’s look at the Georgia state commision website --- they have an interesting event on their site’s calendar. The National Archives at Atlanta and the Metro Atlanta Chapter of the Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society will host an all-day symposium Feb. 11. The theme is “African Americans and World War I: Over There and Over Here.” This is the first of many events related to the U. S. entrance into World War I in Georgia. We are posting both the Society’s and the event links.
http://www.myajc.com/lifestyles/african-americans-and-world-war-theme-feb-symposium/ClkHcBmvC4I8eg0ALel9yL/
http://aahgsatl.org
New Jersey
In New Jersey on February 18th, there will be an event also honoring the African American veterans. A special commemorative program explores the role of New Jersey men in the famed Harlem Hellfighters of World War 1. The state contributed more than 170 volunteers of the 2,000 who made up the regiment. Justin is posting the link now.
Link: http://www.mycentraljersey.com/story/news/local/how-we-live/race/2017/01/29/harlem-hellfighters-jersey-connection/97062236/
District of Columbia
Finally from Washington D.C., the Library of Congress is offering an array of exhibitions, lectures, symposia, blogs, and much more to commemorate our entry into the war.
This month on Feb. 15, the Library is launching a World War I web portal, a comprehensive access to the Library’s World War I resources and programming. We’re posting the links to an article and to the Library for you.
Link: http://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/communicate/press-media/wwi-centennial-news/1854-loc-announces-broad-range-of-ww1-programs-publications.html?utm_medium=email&utm_source=govdelivery
https://www.loc.gov/item/prn-17-009
International Report
Outreach project seeks stories of First World War veterans
Here’s a headline from Canada. It reads “Outreach project seeks stories of First World War veterans.”
Toronto’s “Do You Know My Story?” project seeks to tell the stories of T. Eaton Co. Limited, (once Toronto’s largest retailer) employees who signed up to fight overseas. It is a joint project of the City of Toronto Museums & Heritage Services and the Archives of Ontario. [It’s good to see projects like these that want to preserve the legacy of those men and women.] We can’t let them be forgotten.
Link: http://www.insidetoronto.com/community-story/7085031-outreach-project-seeks-stories-of-first-world-war-veterans/
Centenary of World War One ship sinking marked in Derry
Across the atlantic, headlines from Ireland read: “Centenary of World War One ship sinking marked in Derry.” This article talks about a reenactment of one of the worst disasters in Irish maritime history. More than 350 lives were lost when White Star liner, the SS Laurentic sank off the coast of Donegal after striking two German mines on January 25, 1917. The ship was carrying 479 passengers as well as a cargo of gold ingots to pay for war munitions. The ceremony reenacts the triumphant return of the those who survived this tragedy.
Link: http://www.irishnews.com/news/2017/01/27/news/centenary-of-world-war-one-ship-sinking-marked-in-derry-907392/
WWI medals found in Sydney to be reunited with ancestors in England
Here’s a story that connects England and Australia. It says: “WWI medals found in Sydney to be reunited with ancestors in England.” A family in England will be reunited with the World War One medals of a relative, thanks to the efforts of a contractor from Penrith. Jason Edwards found the four war medals of Harry Willimott Watson while stripping an old mechanical shop. With the help of social media, Edwards was able to find the descendants of the dead soldier. Now, those medals are one their way home.
Link: http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/penrith-press/wwi-medals-found-in-sydney-to-be-reunited-with-ancestors-in-england/news-story/c5fc589c0e7cf9392669875a60847a79
Posts and Articles
Four Questions for Brian Faltinson
Check out an interview with Captain Brian Faltinson, Public Affairs Officer with the Wisconsin National Guard and part of an innovative centennial effort to celebrate their World War I history. The interview is available now, so take a look at it when you have a chance.
Link: http://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/communicate/press-media/wwi-centennial-news/1801-four-questions-for-brian-faltinson.html
100 Cities / 100 Memorials
Next we a new post from our 100 Cities / 100 Memorials blog. The deadline for the matching grant application is on the horizon. If you are interested in applying, the latest post will tell you everything you need to know on how to get started. Maintaining these memorials is key to preserving this important chapter of our nation’s history. Even if you don’t have a particular project in mind yourself, please forward this link anyone you think might want to get involved.
Link: http://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/100-cities-100-memorials-blog.html
WWrite Blog
There is new post on our WWrite blog this week about Benjamin Busch, a U.S. Marine, who discovered a British WWI Cemetery During Iraq War. The post is written by the man himself and is sure to be a good read.
Link: http://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/articles-posts/1701-benjamin-busch-a-u-s-marine-discovers-british-wwi-cemetery-during-iraq-war-excerpt-from-dust-to-dust.html
Stories of Service
Lastly, the Commission is working to ensure the memories of the nearly 5 million Americans who wore the uniform during the Great War are preserved.
Link: http://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/communicate/press-media/wwi-centennial-news.html
The Buzz - Social Media
Review of some of this week’s top social media posts
URL is http://.org/social
World War One THEN
100 Year Ago This Week
Last-Ditch Effort to Stop the U-Boat
A follow up to last week’s story about President Wilson’s “Peace Without Victory speech. On 27th, German Ambassador Bernstorff, sent a telegram to Foreign Minister Zimmermann. Bernstorff knew the submarines were to be unleashed on February 1 - Theo is going to mention some of this in the Great War in the Sky segment.
Link: http://today-in-wwi.tumblr.com/post/156514364398/last-ditch-effort-to-stop-the-u-boats
Emperor Charles Makes Peace Overture to France
One hundred years ago on January 29th, Emperor Charles of Austria-Hungary began to secretly investigate the possibility of a peace with the Allies. Keeping this secret from his government, he used his own family to conduct the necessary diplomacy. Charles sent letters to his wife’s brother, Prince Sixtus of Bourbon-Parma, to be be delivered to the French Government. These letters outlined a path to peace for the two nations. Read more at the link in the chatroom.
Link: http://today-in-wwi.tumblr.com/post/156565419168/emperor-charles-makes-peace-overture-to-france
The Great War Channel
It’s time for us to check in and see what’s new with our friends over at the Great War channel. This week, they have three new videos up:
- Anti-U-Boat Strategy and Tactics in World War 1
- Native Americans In WW1 - Superstitions - Paint Jobs
- Nivelle's Spring Offensive - Royal Conspiracy In Greece
Definitely take a moment to watch these videos when you can.
Link:
https://www.youtube.com/user/TheGreatWar
War in the Sky
2/1/17
This week 100 years ago the War in sky expanded in scope. February first 1917 marks the formation of a number of new flying squadrons and units.
The French form their first large fighter unit - The Groupe the Chasse - douze - known as "the Storks" it brought together four squadrons into one large unit of more than 40 planes.
The Brits form the RFC's 100 Squadron which is a night bomber unit flying the FE-2B planes - these are these rather large open frame 2-seaters with the propeller pushing the plane from just behind the pilot. That leaves a gunner who can actually stand and swing a machine gun in a wide arc around the front and sides of the plane while the pilot flies from the second seat behind him.
Even the Americans form the 7th aero squadron - but not for deployment to Europe. The 7th went into service down in the Panama Canal zone.
But really, the most consequential news of the week was not in the sky but on or under the water.... Germany announced that they were returning to unrestricted submarine warfare - ready to sink any and all shipping - trying to choke the UK and France with their embargo... but this is a move that was key in driving the US to enter the war - a move that happened 100 years ago this week.
Link:
http://ww1cc.org/warinthesky
Closing
WW1 Centennial News is brought to you by the US WW1 Centennial Commission. The videos can be found at ww1cc.org/cn. Don’t forget to sign up for our weekly eNewsletter the Weekly DISPATCH.
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Thanks for joining us. and….
Don’t forget to commemorate!
So long.
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