The premiere production with moving tributes, compelling imagery and performances brought crowds to tears and to their feet as the United States World War I Centennial Commission hosted “In Sacrifice for Liberty and Peace: Centennial Commemoration of the U.S. Entry into World War I” yesterday at the National World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City, Missouri on April 6. From the  moving prelude that included remarks by descendants of notable WWI Generals John J. Pershing and George S. Patton, to the rousing full-cast performance of the iconic “Over There,” followed by a flyover by a B2 Spirit stealth bomber of the 509th Bomb Wing, the ceremony was a fitting tribute to the Americans who made the great decision in 1917. Read the full ceremony summary here. If you missed it last week, watch the video here

The Centennial of the US Entering into WWI was observed nationwide with many events happening in parallel with the national ceremony in Kansas City. From a wreath laying ceremony at the Father Duffy Memorial in Times Square in New York City, to an observance at the World War I Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, south to Alabama and in many other states, the nation marked the historic day with a variety of activities, as the centennial period of the US participation in the war started. Even the busy Pentagon took time out to recognize the important date in US and world history. Overseas, the U.S. Embassy in London participated in a a special commemoration event at the Guildhall, the ceremonial and administrative center of the City of London.

Dr. Monique Seefried, a Commissioner of the United State World War I Centennial Commission, penned a guest editorial that appeared in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. In it, she notes that "As a French-born woman, I always felt a debt of gratitude to the United States. It is a gratitude shared by generations of Europeans who still remember the Americans as our liberators in two World Wars." The nation's entry into the war caused profound changes both at home and abroad--as Seefried asserts, the decision "changed the course of history." Read more about "America’s historic sacrifice, service and progress" during and after WWI in the guest editorial here.

Welcome Florida and Indiana! The Sunshine States and Hoosier State World War One Centennial websites are is now live at ww1cc.org/florida and  ww1cc.org/indiana, respectively.

At the new “Florida In World War I” web site you will find articles, sections on "Floridians who Served Over There," "Floridians who Served Over Here," "Florida After the War," a "Florida WWI Timeline," and more.

On the "Indiana World War I Centennial Committee" site, you will find  detailed map of the state’s ‪World War One monuments, memorials, and historic sites, as well as "Indiana WWI Stories," "Indiana WWI Resources," and much more.

The FL and IN development teams will be joining us on upcoming WW1 Centennial News Podcast shows to tell us more about their state programs. To be sure you get those reports, register for the WW1 Centennial News live show.

Florida and Indiana join a growing number of state sites hosted by the U.S. World War One Centennial Commission. To see the other states’ sites, click here.

Think Tsingtao is just a tasty Chinese beer? Think again!

Learn about the Siege of Tsingtao/Tsingtau in the new WWrite blog post. The post was written by Mark Facknitz,  the James Madison University Roop Distinguished Professor of English, Member, Historical Advisory Board of the World War I Centennial Commission, WWI scholar, and writer.

This post extensive will broadens the American perspective of WWI participation with an impressive photo essay about his German grandfather's internment in a Japanese prisoner of war camp from 1914-1919. The post features, for the first time, amazing and rare photos from the Japanese/Chinese front and the Siege of Tsingtao/Tsingtau.

Don't miss this disarming tale from a small corner of the Great War.

If you have a news item regarding WWI and writing, please contact: jennifer.orth-veillon@worldwar1centennial.org.

Commemorate the WW1 Centennial from head to foot.

We have official commemorative merchandise that covers it all.

Start the conversation. Be the WW1 Centennial Commemoration ambassador.

• Commemorative Hat: $19.95
  
• Centennial Commemorative Lapel Pin: $4.95
  
• Centennial Commemorative Cufflinks: 18.95
  
• World War One Centennial Limited Edition 1917 U.S. Army Trench Boots $295
  

This and many other official commemorative products are available at the official merchandise shop.