April 6, 2017 will mark the centennial of the declaration of war by the United States.  The National World War I Centennial Commission has been pushing for observances across the country, and they have made available resources on their website that can be easily accessed.

This includes:

  • The April 6 Centennial in YOUR State Guide (version 1.2)
  • The April 6 Centennial in YOUR State December To-Do List
  • April 6 in YOUR State: State Outreach Call PPT
  • April 6 in YOUR State: State Outreach Call Recording
  • Battle of the Somme Centenary Program
  • Engage VSOs (Veterans Service Organizations) in YOUR State Handout
  • Publishing Partners Guide

The material can be accessed here:  https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/0ByWh94OVAOx3dlV6YnNncEJDZ3M

Any questions about the material can be directed to the commission here:  SOCC@worldwar1centennial.org

Both they and us would appreciate information about any April 6th activities you plan.  Thank you!

Blair Tarr is the Museum Curator of the Kansas State Historical Society. He oversees the three-dimensional collections of the Society, but has special interests in the Civil War, Wichita-made Valentine diners, and Leavenworth's Abernathy Furniture. In the last few years he has also done a lot of cramming on The Great War. He is a past president of the Kansas Museums Association and the Civil War Round Tables of both Kansas City and Eastern Kansas. He is currently a board member of the Heritage League of Greater Kansas City.