About WWI

On the afternoon of May 7, 1915, the British ocean liner RMS Lusitania was sailing off the southern coast of Ireland when a German submarine fired a torpedo at it – and struck.

Besides mud and artillery, WWI armies had another critical condition to consider – the cold. Fighting in the cold was a war unto itself.

Soldiers, sailors and marines in World War I used a variety of visual and auditory signals to communicate over the noise of battle – including the trusty whistle.

World War I changed many things, including the approach to healing damaged bodies in the wake of violent conflict.

Learn about WWI field artillery with this interactive image and questions to consider.

As World War I raged on, a crisis beyond warfare and shell shock emerged: Europe was running out of food.

In 1914, agriculture, industry and warfare formed a violent triad of destruction.

Senior Curator Doran Cart discusses the Whitehead Torpedo on display at the Museum and Memorial, including its relationship to the famous musical The Sound of Music.

Senior Curator Doran Cart discusses the French 75mm on display at the Museum and Memorial, including a special name given to the gun by the American soldiers in WWI.

Senior Curator Doran Cart shares the Museum's display of the uniform and field gear of an American infantry soldier during WWI, including one of the most vital tools of every Doughboy.

Senior Curator Doran Cart shares how the tank was introduced during WWI, and how the fighting machines came to be known as 'tanks.'

Senior Curator Doran Cart explains how the Ambulance on display at the National WWI Museum and Memorial came into the collection.

Senior Curator Doran Cart explains how the Museum's 1917 Harley-Davidson made its journey from post-war Europe to the collection at the National WWI Museum and Memorial.

Over the last months of 1918 and the first months of 1919 Americans suffered through the worst pandemic in their history as Influenza struck.

Warfare and chemical weapons continue to have the same horrific impact today as they did when John Singer Sargent painted Gassed.