National History Day^® launches Who They Were program in support of U.S. World War I Centennial Commission’s educational and commemorative efforts 

By Chris Isleib
Director of Public Affairs, United States World War One Centennial Commission

WASHINGTON - Sept 17, 2018 – National History Day^®, a partner of the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission announced the launch of Who They Were, a program that mobilizes students and educators across the country to learn about their community’s World War I story and to participate in local centennial observations.

Using the Who They Were Activity Toolkit, available at nhd.org/whotheywere, middle- and high school students can create a short narrative about their community’s World War I generation and present it at their school or at a local event. The activity can be done by individuals or groups, either in a classroom or after-school program setting, using the Who They Were Educator Guide, or as a student-driven project. Completed Who They Were narratives can be added to an online map, connecting students to the wider World War I centennial commemoration and allowing a global audience to learn about the U.S. World War I generation.

Who They Were is being launched as part of the U.S. World War I Commission’s commemorative efforts leading up to the centennial of the Armistice that ended World War I, on November 11, 2018. Educators and students can participate through the end of 2018 and into the summer of 2019, in parallel with local homecoming anniversaries and other community-based centennial events. Following the end of the centenary period, the Activity Toolkit will continue to be available online.

“Who They Were is an opportunity for students to participate in the centennial commemoration of World War I,” said National History Day Executive Director Dr. Cathy Gorn. “Together with the U.S. World War I Commission, we are excited to help students learn about the generation of Americans that participated in the Great War 100 years ago.”

“The Commission is excited to work with National History Day to bring Who They Were to student and educators in communities across America," said Dr. Libby O’Connell, Commissioner WWI Centennial Commission. "By participating in Who They Were, young people across the country will join the effort to learn more about the communities of the men and women who served our country 100 years ago.”

To learn more about Who They Were, or to download the Activity Toolkit and Educator Guide, visit www.nhd.org/whotheywere.