Classroom Materials

World War I: Lessons And Legacies

In honor of America's entry into "The War to End All Wars" in 1917, World War I: Lessons and Legacies explore the war and its lasting impact and far-reaching influence on American life. Educators,...
Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service
Classroom Materials

World War I: The Great War

Part of the Veterans History Project, World War I: The Great War uses original letters, diaries, memoirs, and precious photographs to tell the story of First World War veterans.
Library of Congress
Classroom Materials

World War I: What Are We Fighting For Over There?

The Great War of 1914-1918 significantly shaped the course of the twentieth century, both at home and abroad. How can this pivotal event be personalized and brought to life for students in the new...
Library of Congress
Video Series

World War One Through Arab Eyes

This video series from Al Jazeera English tells the story of the First World War from an Arab perspective. In the three-part series, each episode lasting approximately 45 minutes, Tunisian writer and...
Al Jazeera English
Article

World War One: The Circus Animals That Helped Britain

With millions of horses needed for the war effort, people on the home front had the difficult task of finding replacements to assist with heavy labor. This 2013 article by Nick Tarver from BBC News...
BBC News
Article

World War One: The original code talkers

Though Native Americans were not considered U.S. citizens during WWI (that would not change until 1924), more than 10,000 still volunteered to fight in the war. Find out more about their contributions...
BBC News
Interactive Timeline

WWI Aviation History Timeline

Created by Brigadier General R. G. Head, USAF (Ret.), the WWI Aviation History Timeline hosted by the U.S. World War One Centennial Commission provides a wealth of information about aviation before...
US WWI Centennial Commission
Animated GIFs of World War I Footage

WWI GIFs

In March 2021, the National WWI Museum and Memorial launched a collection of nearly 500 animated GIFs on giphy.com. From the funny to the tragic, these short videos were created using archival film...
Article

WWI Hero Henry Johnson Finally Receives Medal of Honor

Though Henry Johnson was hailed as one of the bravest Americans to fight in WWI, due to lasting racism in the U.S. it wasn't until 2004 that he was granted the Medal of Honor. This article from...
HISTORY®
Activities for Young Learners

WWI Maker Activity: Letter Writing

In a time before emails and text messages, soldiers in World War I relied on written letters to communicate with their loved ones back home. In these maker activities from the Virginia Cooperative...
Virginia Cooperative Extension 4-H
Activities for Young Learners

WWI Maker Activity: War Gardens

Food production was essential in World War I. American citizens were encouraged to create "War Gardens" and grow their own food, allowing more commercially-produced food to reach troops. In this maker...
Virginia Cooperative Extension 4-H
Activities for Young Learners

WWI Maker Activity: Monuments

Many monuments and memorials were constructed in communities across the US at the end of World War I. They were as simple as a small bronze statue or as large as an entire granite building. It is...
Virginia Cooperative Extension 4-H
Activities for Young Learners

WWI Maker Activity: Airplanes

Aviation evolved rapidly during WWI, with modern and more effective aircraft replacing the basic machines, shaping the way countries fight wars more quickly than any other weapon in military history.
Virginia Cooperative Extension 4-H
Activities for Young Learners

WWI Maker Activity: Making Music

General Pershing believed that military bands were a key element in maintaining the morale of his soldiers. In this maker activity from the Virginia Cooperative Extension 4-H, young students will...
Virginia Cooperative Extension 4-H