Commemorating the First World War Centennial in Kansas
Music of World War I
The Kaw Valley Cornet Band shares a variety of tunes that reflect the values, beliefs, and attitudes during World War I. Music that spoke of a speedy victory at the start of the war changed to reflections on separation and sadness by its end. Music from the Allied nations reminds us this truly was a world war.
In June 1917, the United States is coming to grips with its new status as a belligerent power. President Wilson signs the Espionage Act, which makes it unlawful to interfere with military or naval operations and gives the Postmaster General broad authority to refuse to deliver material he judges to be in violation. The President issues an order creating an Export Council with power to control all exports from the United States. Mandatory registration for the draft begins. General Pershing arrives in Europe, where he confers with his counterparts in London and Paris; shortly thereafter the first American Army units arrive in France. The first issue of Liberty Bonds sells out quickly. A commission headed by former Secretary of State Elihu Root arrives in Russia as anarchists march in the streets of Petrograd and Lenin calls for an end to the war. The provisional government, responding to an overture from the Central Powers, states that it will not enter into a separate peace. Former President Roosevelt announces that two of his four sons have gone to France and that the others will follow shortly. The British Army in Flanders attacks and occupies Messines Ridge. Gotha bombers attack London. King Constantine of Greece abdicates, clearing the way for Greece to enter the war on the side of the Allies.
Captured: The Extraordinary Adventures of Colonel Hughes, currently on exhibit at the Kansas Museum of History in Topeka through Memorial Day weekend 2018, has received an Award of Merit from the American Association for State and Local History (AASLH).
The award is presented for excellence in history programs, projects and people when compared with similar activities nationwide. The museum is one of forty-eight recipients from twenty-four states recognized by AASLH for 2017 in its award programs.
Quite a bit on WWI on C-SPAN3 this weekend, with one show on C-SPAN2. All shows are available on the C-SPAN website after their first viewing on the air. As usual–not responsible for last minute schedule changes, and all times given are Central Time! Happy viewing!
One hundred years ago in Kansas, July 3-7, 1917.
July 3, 1917
| Wednesday, July 12 – 7 p.m.
Explore the life and times of General John J. Pershing, a Missouri native and commander of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) during World War I. Join the Institute to commemorate 100 years since the U.S. entry into the war and examine one of our nation’s most decorated military leaders, portrayed here by historical interpreter David Shuey. This program is part of the Youth Civic Leadership Institute (YCLI) and is free and open to the public. The Dole Institute of Politics is on the campus of the University of Kansas, Lawrence. |
Thanks to the National World War I Museum and Memorial for calling attention to this article through their social media. Looks like it’s getting some coverage, but we’ll post the link here just the same: https://psmag.com/social-justice/lets-have-more-movies-like-wonder-woman-please
The National World War I Museum and Memorial has issued it’s seventh educator newsletter, and this one deals with “Animals in the War.” Here’s the link: http://myemail.constantcontact.com/-Understanding-the-Great-War—-Issue–7–Animals-in-the-War.html?soid=1112454519225&aid=3RaExeJXFq8
I’m not sure we have examples in Kansas cities about trolleys of World War I vintage, but the point here may be that you never know what might be representative of the home front in 1917:
Shown above is the artist’s rendering of the obverse side of the proposed Kansas WW1 Centennial Commemorative Coin. When and if available this coin will be minted in nickel silver alloy with a touch of color, similar to the Australian coin depicted below left.
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