WW1 Centennial News

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Highlights Thanksgiving reflections from 1917 @ | 01:15 Tank warfare in the battle of Cambrai - Mike Shuster @ | 11:35 Introducing WW1 Centennial Commissioner Zoe Dunning @ | 15:55 Ceremonial Coin Strike at Philly mint @ | 16:15 Trench Coat and Wristwatch - Speaking WW1 @ | 17:20 100C / 100M project in Springfield, MA @ | 19:55 WWrite Blog article by WW1CC intern Sarah Biegelsen @ | 25:15 Yurok Native Americans in WW1 - Chag Lowry & Rahsan Ekedal @ | 26:15 Memoire - An adventure in 1914 - Christopher Kelly @ | 32:00 DH4 WW1 Aircraft restoration progresses @ | 37:50 The Buzz - Katherine Akey @ | 38:30 Image Credit: A work-in-progress image of a Yurok Native Army soldier drawn by Rahsan Ekedal for the upcoming Graphic Novel "Soldiers Unknown" by Chag Lowry ----more---- Opening Welcome to World War 1 centennial News - It’s about WW1 THEN - what was happening 100 years ago this week - and it’s about WW1 NOW - news and updates about the centennial and the commemoration. Today is November 29th, 2017. Our guests this week include: Mike Shuster from the great war project blog, Jacqueline Farrow and Eddie Boulrice [bowl-reece] from the Godfrey Triangle Restoration Committee, in Springfield, Massachusetts Graphic novel team Chag (ChAIg) Lowry and Rahsan [Ruh-SAN] Ekedal [ek-uh-dhal] Author and historian Christopher Kelly And Katherine Akey the shows line producer and the commissions social media director... WW1 Centennial News is brought to you by the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission and the Pritzker Military Museum and Library. I’m Theo Mayer - the Chief Technologist for the Commission and your host. Welcome to the show. [MUSIC] Preface It is sometimes difficult in our media overloaded, multi-faceted, social and general media inundated world --- not be cynical - but in 1917 many people genuinely believed that they were answering a higher calling. That makes Thanksgiving 1917, 100 years ago this past week an interesting moment of reflection for millions of Americans both within our nation and those who find themselves “over there”. We are going look at this - plus a series of other stories that occur as the American Military finds itself on the precipice of major battle action. So let’s jump into our wayback machine and see what was happening 100 years ago this week in the War that Changed the World. World War One THEN 100 Year Ago This Week [MUSIC TRANSITION] Thanksgiving 1917 - at home, President Wilson uses the Official Bulletin - the government’s daily war gazette published by George Creel the head of America’s propaganda machine - to get a short statement from each member of his cabinet - [SOUND EFFECT] Dateline, November 28, 1917 The masthead of the Official Bulletin reads: Cheering Thanksgiving Messages to Americans at Home And Fighting Forces Abroad From the President’s Cabinet Are in This Issue It starts with an excerpt from President Wilson’s Thanksgiving Proclamation! On this day of the revelation of our duty not only to defend our own rights as a nation but to defend also the rights of free men throughout the world, we are filled with the resolution and spirit of united action. We should especially thank God that in such circumstances, in the midst of the greatest enterprise the spirits of men have ever entered upon, we have, if we but observe a reasonable and practicable economy, abundance with which to supply the needs of those associated with us as well as our own.— From Robert Lansing - Secretary of State If we measured our national blessings by the materialistic standard of physical comfort and prosperity, which has been in recent years so potent in our thought as a people, the observance of Thanksgiving Day this year might seem almost a mockery, for we are engaged in the most destructive and terrible war of all times. But a new conception of national blessings has come to the American people, a conception in which the spiritual is exalted above the material, in which the life of the Nation is placed above the life of the individual. No greater blessing could have come to the Republic than this awakening to the fact that patriotism is more to be prized than wealth. From William McAdoo Secretary of the Treasury For the first time in more than fifty years Thanksgiving Day finds America at war. In this chaos of civilization the power of America was needed to tip the scales in favor of freedom and democracy as against the enslavement of the world which would inevitably follow the triumph of military despotism. Terrible as war is, and fearful as are the sacrifices it entails, nothing is comparable to freedom and liberty. From Newton D. Baker - Secretary of War I am glad to take advantage of the opportunity which the OFFICIAL BULLETIN gives to send a word of appreciation and good cheer from the men of the War Department who are in this country to the men who are now in France. We are striving our hardest to send them, promptly and plentifully, the material things they need - as they take their stand by the side of the gallant men who, for so long, have been holding the battle front for a world - that shall look forward and not look backward. From Thomas Gregory - the Attorney General Nearly a century and a half ago our forefathers, hungry and poorly fed, clothed, disciplined, and armed, --- gave, when needed, their all --- for liberty to live undefiled by license that men are free and self governed. They dreamed and labored, so that real freedom and free institutions were born. To-day you battle that these principles do not die --- but may live on and reach untold millions - who now live under the blight of despots. From Albert Burleson - Postmaster General Our Thanksgiving holiday is like many other good things—of New England origin. It came into national use during the Civil War. The people of the United States in the celebration of this festival now have special cause for returning thanks to the Almighty Ruler of the universe for the many blessings He has showered upon us. While Europe, Asia, and Africa are ravaged by war, no foe has invaded our country --- our cities have not been destroyed, and our people go about their business and live in peace, in plenty, and in security. After every honorable effort had been exhausted to avoid it --- we were thrust into the world's war. In the name of allied nations we have entered into the contest. We have met the crisis unselfishly, patriotically, and nobly. Today, our sons, true to the traditions, ideals, and standards of their heroic fathers are mustering on the battlefields of Europe. From Josephus Daniels - Secretary of the Navy We are grateful to have discovered what some doubted before the war: That we have many youthful Nathan Hales in this generation --- who regret that they have only one life to give for their country. - That the spirit of “Don't give up the ship” actuating men in the Navy to-day gives us many Lawrences who meet death with little thought of self but deep concern for their country. That the people of the United States are justified in their faith in the soldiers and sailors and marines who are of the same stuff as the men whose courage made Bunker Hill and King's Mountain and Yorktown and Lake Champlain meccas of patriotism. That all America is mobilized and all true Americans have highly resolved to make every sacrifice that may be demanded for the sway of liberty and freedom in the world, where neither the autocracy of crowned heads nor entrenched privilege can deny the right of all men to govern themselves. From Franklin Lane - Secretary of the interior I cannot give thanks for war, nor for the method that men make war, nor for the turning of the minds of men from things constructive to things destructive; but I can give thanks that this is a Nation unashamed; that the spirit of Bunker Hill and Santiago is still quick and aggressive; that men are willing to die that liberty and justice may live; that we are not to see the free peoples of the earth humiliated or crushed; and that Fear is not to master the world. From William Wilson Secretary of Labor I have traveled through the most diverse parts of the country and come in contact with every variety of our citizenship —the rich and the poor, those who have sprung from old English stock, as well as naturalized citizens who have come to us from the different lands of Europe, including the central powers. In the midst of all this diversity of place and people, behind all differences, I find a common and complete devotion to this country and an unquestioning devotion to the aims of freedom and democracy which are the purposes of this country going to war. [SOUND EFFECT] Meanwhile in Europe, the US Army tries to bring a bit of home to the boys. Dateline: November 29, 1917 Headline: A story from the NY times… Cooks Prepare Feast For Pershing’s Men - Thanksgiving Dinner Expected to be the Best Ever Service to Army on Foreign Soil. The story reads: In every village in France where American troops are stationed, the company cooks started to make cranberry sauce and to lay out great piles of plump turkey, sweet potatoes and everything else that goes to make a real thanksgiving Dinner. Thanksgiving Day for the American forces will be one of resting, eating and recovering. After the dinner settles there will be real american doings such as football games, in which some american stars who are there will play. But back to the fighting front... [SOUND EFFECT] Early in this month, in Episode 45 we told you the story of a company of American Soldiers who were the first to contact the enemy - they were training in bunkers in a quiet part of the western front. Suddenly Germans attacked, over-ran the positions and took 12 prisoners of war. They also killed 5 and wounded others. This week, the incident is in the news again as the French Government endeavors to decorate 15 men of this unit. [SOUND EFFECT] Dateline November 27th 1917 Headline: From the pages of the New York Times “French Decorate 15 of our troops… “French War Crosses” conferred on men who met German Trench Raid on November 2… but TOLD NOT TO WEAR MEDALS - Recipients must wait until Congress authorizes them to accept honors from a foreign nation. Now I see that the follow on of this story offers great insight into the situation on the ground… After months of waiting - American soldiers finally head to the front early in the month. It’s a quiet area but in the actual war zone… The Americans are essentially still training when suddenly themselves in an unintended engagement as the Germans attack. The story in the times includes: The French General, in referring to the actions of this american company said: “On the night of November second, this company, which was in the line for the first time, met an extremely violent bombardment, despite which it seized arms and offered such stubborn resistance that the enemy, though numerically superior, was obliged to retire” [Sound effect] Also this week -- another group of Yankee Doughboys find themselves “In the Fight” - somewhat unintentionally - during the battle of Cambrai. The 11th engineers are helping to build the rail system that has been transporting a new power weapon to the front - in preparation for the british Cambrai campaign that was, for the first time make major use of the tank! Suddenly near the town of Gouzeaucout, ( GUZ- Oh - COO) the germans counter-attack and the engineers suddenly find themselves in combat. The following is from an article printed in a UK magazine called "I was there". The author is Major General Seely of the Canadian Cavalry Brigade as he describes the German counter attack at Cambrai around November 30th. “I have to say that a good many stragglers from the battle gallantly came forward with me. Amongst others we found a curious and most interesting party, American engineers whom we had seen 12 days before, engaged in making a light railway some five miles behind the front line. They were pursuing their peaceful avocations near to Gouzeaucourt ( GUZ- Oh - COO) , which had been close to the front line before our advance on November 21. They belonged to the American 11th Engineers. Colonel Hoffman was the Regimental Commander and I think Captain Hulsant was commanding the party, when the German advance fell on upon them. Some had rifles with them, in the case of others the rifles were far away, but that made no difference to these gallant Yankees. With spades and pickaxes they fell upon the advancing Germans and although many were knocked out, I am assured that they got the best of it in a hand to hand combat. It was a brave thing to do, for surrender would have been easy and for once justifiable. When I came home on leave a month later, I gave some account of this at a luncheon, given by Lord Beaverbrook. I do not know if this account has reached America from other sources, but I am glad to put it on record now. [SOUND EFFECT] Dateline December 1, 1917 Headline from the story in the New York times reads Every State now has Militia in France - Not a man lost of those who have sailed from America to the Front So by November of 1917 - the Americans are mobilized - sent the troops “over there” - have been busy training and helping to build infrastructure - and are beginning to engage the enemy - though not intentionally yet. None of this is deemed fast enough or big enough by the British who warn that the pace and power projection of the Americans is crucial but lacking 100 years ago this month - in the War that changed the world . [SOUND EFFECT] Great War Project Tanks were to be a major strategic shift in the planning for the Battle of Cambrai - Nearly 500 were deployed for the campaign - but with some mixed results… Here to tell us about it is Mike Shuster, former NPR correspondent and curator of the Great War Project blog. The tank is to be the new super weapon in the war - the game changer - but apparently did not come out of the gate quite as planned - tell us about it Mike: [Mike Shuster] Mike Shuster from the Great War Project blog. LINK: http://greatwarproject.org/2017/11/19/where-are-the-americans-2/ http://greatwarproject.org/2017/11/26/are-tanks-the-answer/ [SOUND EFFECT] The Great War Channel For video about this week in WWI 100 years ago - from a more European perspective - we recommend the Great War Channel on Youtube hosted by Indy Neidell. Their episodes this week include: The End Of Passchendaele and Jagdkommandos - Austria Hungary’s Special Forces and Tank Corps Unleashed - The battle of Cambrai And finally Dropping Bombs on Germany - Indy takes audience questions in an episode of “Out of the Trenches” Follow the link in the podcast notes or search for “the great war” on youtube. Link: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheGreatWar World War One NOW It is time to fast forward into the present to WW1 Centennial News NOW - this section is not about history, but rather - it explores what is happening to commemorate the centennial of the War that changed the world! [SOUND EFFECT] Commission News: Coin Strike and Zoe Dunning When Commission Chair Robert Dallesandro retired from the US World War One Centennial Commission it left a seat open for a new commissioner. So last week, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi filled that seat with Commander Zoe Dunning, USN (Ret.) of San Francisco. We welcome Commissioner Dunning who is our first commissioner from the west coast. Read more about Commissioner Dunning by visiting the link in the podcast notes. link:http://www.worldwar1centennial.org/3721 Philadelphia Mint Ceremonial Coin Strike In more commission news - on Tuesday, November 28th in Philadelphia-- the US Mint hosted a ceremonial coin strike event for the new 2018 World War I Centennial Silver Dollar. A distinguished group who were involved with the coin project were on hand, including Congressional sponsors of the legislation that authorized the coin; Don Everhardt, legendary US Mint coin engraver; Terr…

Full show notes at the publisher

WW1 Centennial News: Episode #47 - Thanksgiving special from the Nov. 9, 2017 Ceremonial Groundbreaking of the National WWI Memorial at Pershing Park in Washington DC. Nov 23, 2017

Show notes

Highlights

Web donations: ww1cc.org/donate

Text-to-give donations: Text “wwi” to 91999

Learn more: ww1cc.org/memorial

Being Thankful | @ 00:40
Mr. Terry Hamby, Chair of the WWI Centennial Commission | @ 04:00
The Honorable Ted Poe, Congressman | @ 10:10
The Honorable Emanuel Cleaver, Congressman | @ 14:30
General Mark A. Milley, 39th Chief of Staff of the Army | @ 18:00
Bob Vogel, director of the National Capital Region (NCR), National Park Service | @ 22:15
The Honorable David Shulkin, Secretary of Veterans Affairs | @ 27:05
Keith Harman, Commander-in-Chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars | @ 30:10
Denise H. Rohan, National Commander, American Legion | @ 32:20
The Honorable Muriel Bowser, Mayor of Washington | @ 35:45
The Honorable Doug Lamborn, Congressman | @ 38:20
The Honorable Kevin Yoder, Congressman | @ 40:20----more----

Thanksgiving Special Fundraiser

Welcome to World War 1 centennial News - The weekly podcast about WWI and the Centennial commemoration of the war that changed the world.

WW1 Centennial News is brought to you by the US World War One Centennial Commission and the Pritzker Military Museum and Library.

Welcome to our Thanksgiving week special show.

[MUSIC]

For this special week, where we traditionally celebrate with our families and give thanks for the bounty in our lives, we are bringing you a special episode of WWI Centennial News.

We are celebrating with our now gone family of Americans who, 100 years ago took up the challenge, the mission and the fight to help end one of the most horrific periods in human history.

We are going to take a moment to reflect and give thanks to their service and their sacrifice, whether they were soldiers, mothers, workers, men, women, children, even horses, mules and dogs - we are inviting you to join us in giving thanks to a nation committed to a cause.

… not for territorial gain, not to dominate other nations or to stop other nations from directly dominating us -- but rather for a cause embodied in an idea and an ideal of liberty and freedom. Ideas we must never take for granted because we have them only courtesy of the commitment and sacrifice of our forbears.

If this all sounds “schmaltzy” to you… just take a deep breath and wrap your head around this… people DIED for you to have this. Think of your own family and those you love and remember those who have lost their loved ones - for you.

On this Thanksgiving 100 years ago, literally millions of Americans both here and on foreign shores were united in preparing, training, building, transforming, fighting and even dying because our people by and large felt is was simply the right thing to do in the cause of liberty and freedom for the people of the world.

So let us all give thanks for what we have.

Meanwhile, we, the World War One Centennial Commission also want to give thanks to the many of YOU who have supported, sponsored and donated to our work and our mission of bringing this rather amazing moment of our history out of it’s dusty trunk in the attic of our past and into the awareness of our present.

During this week’s episode we are going to bring you highlights from the November 9th Ceremonial Groundbreaking for the National WWI memorial at Pershing Park in Washington DC.

It was a watershed moment in our ambitious effort in building a memorial to honor the men and women who served 100 years ago in the war that changed the world.

By law, no tax dollars can be used to build this memorial. It must be built with private funds and donations - in that regards, this truly IS America’s WWI memorial.

So during this time of giving thanks and celebrating what we have, we are asking you for you financial support with a tax deductible donation to built this WWI memorial. We need your help to do it. We can’t do it without you. And it’s easy - just go to ww1cc.org/donate - it’s a really simple URL to remember - the letters w w the number 1 - the letters c c dot o r g/donate - ww1cc.org/donate… I a little while we’ll tell you how to donate by just sending us a text.

But right now, from the ceremonial groundbreaking - Here is the chair of the World War One Centennial Commision - Commissioner Terry Hamby….

[Mr. Terry Hamby, Chair of the WWI Centennial Commission]

You can help keep the faith with those who died - so they can rest in Flanders Field. We need your tax deductible donation to build their memorial… And of course we want to make that as easy as we can. So since many of you listen to our podcast on your smart devices, we have set it up so you can text a donation from your phone.

It’s really easy. Go to your texting app and text the letters w w i to 91-999. Our text-to-give app is really easy, safe and you can donate any amount you choose. You can even make the donation in honor of your family or your ancestor!

From the ceremonial groundbreaking, here is the congressman Ted Poe of Texas with a little background about his and Congressman Cleaver’s journey in getting congress to pass the law that established the memorial.

[The Honorable Ted Poe, Congressman]

It’s really a pleasure to be able to report that the centennial commemoration of WWI and the establishment of a national WWI memorial in Washington DC have served as an precious and rare area of bi-partisanship in our national legislature… this is truly a sign of honor and respect that all Americans have for those who serve and who have served our nation.

And we’re appealing to you, whether your political leanings are Republican, or Democrat, Conservative or liberal to help build the memorial to commemorate those who answered the call 100 years ago. Give your thanks and honor those men and women of the past by sending a tax deductible gift - of any size - either by going to the website at ww1cc.org/donate or texting the letters wwi or ww1 to the phone address at 91-999. We’ll send you a receipt for your taxes and our sincere gratitude for your heart.

Next, here is Congressman Emanuel Cleaver with a little insight into the bi-partisan collaboration that surrounds this worthy project.

[The Honorable Emanuel Cleaver, Congressman]

Congressman Cleaver said it well. No gift is complete until we say thank you. We’re asking you - to say thank to our WWI veterans on this thanksgiving Holiday with a donation to their memorial - which completes their gift of sacrifice and service to us..

Please make a tax deductible donation - whatever you can - a dollar, 11 dollars and 11 cents for 11/11, 50, a hundred or a thousand.. Remember your own - with a gift specifically in the name of someone who has served our nation. Please go to to ww1cc.org/donate, or by texting wwi or ww1 to 91-999 now.

You know it’s really important to remember and to be clear - we are commemorating WW1 - we are NOT celebrating it. War is not something to celebrate… War is a terrible thing! and to give you some insight into that - perhaps from an unexpected source - is the 39th Chief of Staff of the Army -

[General Mark A. Milley, 39th Chief of Staff of the Army]

Giving thanks is about caring… participating in the ceremonial groundbreaking is a project partner who will be taking on that task. Here is Bob Vogel from the National Park Service - whose national memorial role may not be something you are familiar with!

[Bob Vogel, director of the National Capital Region (NCR), National Park Service]

We want to remind you that the law specifically prohibits government funds from paying for this memorial - so none of this is possible without YOUR help. We need your contribution to build this memorial. So if you are listening on your smartphone - pause this podcast RIGHT NOW then go to your texting application, type 91-999 into the address field - type the letters w w i into the message field and press send - you’ll get a reply immediately that will allow you to make a contribution of any size to help build YOUR memorial to WWI in our nation’s capital! Then come back here and listen to the rest of the show - we’ve got some good stuff coming - and you’ll be feeling really good as you listen!

We are a nation committed to honoring those who served - Honoring our WWI veterans is LONG overdue. Our next three speakers live, breath, service and support veterans - starting with the administration’s new Secretary of Veterans Affairs - the honorable David Shulkin

[The Honorable David Shulkin, Secretary of Veterans Affairs]

Both the American Legion and the Veterans of Foreign Wars have stepped up on this project with significant contributions to the WW1 memorial.

We want to thank them and their memberships for supporting the project so generously.

Here are Keith Harman, Commander-in-Chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Denise H. Rohan, National Commander, American Legion

[Keith Harman, Commander-in-Chief of the Veterans of Foreign Wars]

[Denise H. Rohan, National Commander, American Legion]

Again, thank you to both the VFW and American Legion national organizations for their substantial and very important financial support of the WWI memorial in Washington DC - a city that is currently run by the honorable Mayor Muriel Bowser. As you’ll hear, she and the city are very supportive and looking forward to having this new and important commemorative feature as a part of the Nation’s capital.

[The Honorable Muriel Bowser, Mayor of Washington]

So we have been pretty direct with you today - We need your help and contributions to build the WWI memorial! And although congress did not allow for any tax dollars to help, here is congressman Doug Lamborn who is going to tell us about a WWI commemorative coin that congress authorized - AND - with a portion of the proceeds available to help pay for the memorial.

[The Honorable Doug Lamborn, Congressman]

And to close out our thanksgiving special fundraiser for the WWI memorial, we have Congressman Kevin Yoder - with some thank yous of his own!

[The Honorable Kevin Yoder, Congressman]

So happy Thanksgiving to you and your family - Thanks for the time you’ve taken here today to reflect, hear about and remember those who have served and those who have paid to make our American way of life possible.

Thank you for your generous contribution to our effort to commemorate and honor the men and women who gave us so much 100 years ago in the war that changed the world.

And one last time, here is how you can contribute to the memorial and learn more about it.. Using a web browser, go to ww1cc.org - just type the letters w w the number 1 and c c dot o r g… that is the commission’s home page. When you get there on the top left of the page is a panel about the memorial. You can click on Donate Today or Memorial Mesign to learn about the details of the design, the location, the designers and more - it’s a pretty interesting site..

Or - really easy and fast - you can text to donate - send the simple text message “wwi” to the number 91-999. You’ll get a message right back that links you up with a donation page on your smartphone.

Happy thanksgiving to all of you. Thank you for listening. Thank you for giving. Thank you for caring. We do this work for the doughboys and for you. It is our privilege!

World War One Centennial news will be back next week with our regular program. I’m Theo Mayer, the Commission’s chief technologist and your host.

[Music]

So long.

Show notes

Highlights The Suffragists in WWI @ | 01:20 The Battle of Passchendaele ends - Mike Shuster @ | 11:45 Ceremonial Groundbreaking episode announced @ | 16:30 Meet the designer of the National WWI Memorial - Joseph Weishaar @ | 17:30 Speaking WWI - “Snapshot” @ | 24:45 100C/100M in Jackson, MO - Lawson Burgfeld @ | 26:50 “Travels with Darley” on the Western Front - Darley Newman @ | 33:25 Native American Story of Service - Nick Brokeshoulder @ | 39:00 The Buzz - Katherine Akey @ | 48:50 more...----more---- Opening Welcome to World War 1 centennial News - It’s about WW1 THEN - what was happening 100 years ago this week - and it’s about WW1 NOW - news and updates about the centennial and the commemoration. Today is November 15th, 2017. Our guests this week include: Mike Shuster from the great war project blog, Joe Weishaar, architect and designer of the National WW1 Memorial in DC Lawson Bergfeld from the 100 cities/100 memorials project in Jackson, Missouri Darley Newman, the host and producer of “Travels with Darley” on PBS Nick Brokeshoulder, veteran with a Stories of Service about his grandfather And Katherine Akey the shows line producer and the commissions social media director... WW1 Centennial News is brought to you by the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission and the Pritzker Military Museum and Library. I’m Theo Mayer - the Chief Technologist for the Commission and your host. Welcome to the show. [MUSIC] Preface Let's begin today’s show with a single word. Suffrage! What is that word? Is it about the process of suffering - well yea - but only in a manner of speaking, The actual etymology or the history of the word comes the latin term for voting or to VOTE. It's a little hard to remember that 100 years ago, during the war that changed the world, a large part of the American citizenry had no democratic sway or say in the governance of the country. For some reason, in a majority of states, it was thought that you needed testicles in order to cast a vote. The Suffrage movement - the movement for women's right to vote - was in high gear during this time and in 1916 during his presidential campaign, Woodrow Wilson promises that his democratic party will endorse women's suffrage - During that same election, the progressive state of Montana - surprise - surprise - elects suffragist Jeannette Rankin to the US House of Representatives. And just 4 days after being sworn in as the first woman to serve in congress, on April 6, 1917, the house of representatives is casting its historic vote about declaring war on Germany - which eventually passed 373 to 50. Jeannette Rankin remains silent during the first reading of the roll call. So--- Former Speaker of the house - Joe Cannon of Illinois -- seeks her out on the house floor and advises: “Little woman, you cannot afford not to vote. You represent the womanhood of the country... and in the American Congress.” So on the second reading of the roll, violating house rules about commenting on your votes, Rankin rises from her seat and intones... “I want to stand by my country, but I cannot vote for war.” While the women of America are fully engaged in the war effort... from sending their sons and husbands and even daughters into an unknown future, to taking over critical infrastructure jobs and tasks on the homefront, and in dozens of other ways -- one hundred years ago this week, the pages of the New York Times are filled with stories about suffragists, pacifists, and President Wilson's change of position on the women's suffrage movement. Wow - So let's jump back in time 100 years and see what the fuss in all about! World War One THEN 100 Year Ago This Week [MUSIC TRANSITION] It is the second week of November, 1917 and just a week ago, a socio political tsunami lands -- when on November 6th 1917: Women in New York State win the right to vote!! This sends shock waves through the political arena and emboldens the suffragists to take action in Washington DC. In the November 11th Sunday edition of the New York Times there are three articles about the suffragist in DC. [SOUND EFFECT] Dateline October 11, 1917 A headline in the New York Times reads: SUFFRAGISTS WARY OF OLD PARTY BIDS They Declare Purpose of Continued Nonpartisan Fight for Federal Amendment Denounce all Political BOSS ism Men Leaders See Danger to Their Prestige In New Political Holdings And the story goes on to read: The Suffrage Leaders have decided to keep the Woman Suffrage Party and it's organized allies alive and militant as NON PARTISAN AGENCIES to continue the fight - at least until after the congress shall have adopted - and sufficient state legislatures shall have ratified the so-called Susan B Anthony amendment to the Federal Constitution. The amendment that shall provide for the enfranchisement of women in every nook and corner of the United States! Politicians of "the other sex" who heard of this yesterday realized with a sudden start that MAN was no longer the only pebble on the political beach. They were not slow to sense the potential behind the plan and marveled that the woman suffrage leaders with a stiff franchise fight on their hands should have found time to think up novel and catchy devices that nad never occurred to the men politicians at all. So in overview, the woman suffrage movement wins in New York state… and the suffrage leadership realizes the power of their numbers and decide to hold themselves non-partisan as a voting block until their goals are met --- all to the awed surprise and shock of the old boys club - who had not imaged that the ladies would have such strategic pluck! [SOUND EFFECT] Dateline October 11, 1917 Another headline in today's NY Times reads: SUFFRAGISTS EAGER TO LEARN POLITICS They Throng to hear from President William taft in discussion of "Partnership of Democratic Nations" And the story reads New York: That the Suffragists are determined to prepare themselves for the polls by receiving as much instruction as possible in the techniques of national and international politics was shown by the throng of women who flocked to Carnegie Hall yesterday to hear ex-president Taft deliver a lecture on a partnership of democratic nations under the auspices of the league for Political Education. Seldom has Mr. Taft had a more attentive, earnest, and interested audience, than these hundreds of women, who felt that the passage of the Suffrage Amendment in New York obliged them to absorb and understand more thoroughly than they had ever done before, the mysteries and intricacies of political science and international relations. And yet a third article is published in the NY times on this same Sunday - this one about a defiant protest in Washington. [SOUND EFFECT] Dateline October 11, 1917 The headline reads: ARREST OF 41 PICKETS FOR SUFFRAGE AT WHITE HOUSE Police, Unable to Induce Them to Move On, Take them Off in “Black Marias.” And the story reads: Forty one woman suffragists from fifteen states were arrested this afternoon for picketing outside the White House. Their adventure was one of the quietest and at the same time most sedately spectacular of all the picketing affairs yet staged. On former raids by picketers the crowds had jeered, but today there was none of it. A murmur arose as the vanguard of suffragists marched across Pennsylvania Ave. They carried their usual display of banners, one at the head of the line reading: “Mr. President, in your message to congress, urge the amendment enfranchising women!” The police officers quietly informed them that they must “move on”. They replied that they intended on doing no such thing. The captain gave them a moment to wait, then motioning to the policemen standing by at his elbow, ordered the women escorted to the waiting “Black Maria”. They went without protest filling the wagons. Mrs. Oliver H P Belmont, member of the national executive Committee of the National Woman’s Party said: “What have we come to in America when splendid women, loving liberty are arrested for asking this simple question: ‘Mr. President, in your message to Congress urge the passage of the Federal Suffrage Amendment enfranchising Women!” Two days later…. [SOUND EFFECT] Dateline November 13, 1917 A headline in the NY Times reads SUFFRAGISTS PICKETS GET ARRESTED AGAIN Thirty One, Including Many of The Former Prisoners, Taken at White House Again. Protesting Delegates of New York Fail to Obtain an Audience with the President. And the story reads Thirty-one militant suffragists, most of who were among the forty-one arrested last Saturday, repeated their picketing before the White House today and were re-arrested. This followed a hearing at which the forty-one appeared before Judge Mellowney of the Police Court, who suspended the sentences. Mrs. William Kent of california stated: “My conscience is clear. I walked on Saturday afternoon from Cameron House to the further gate of the White House. I obstructed no traffic. I was moving. At the further gate there was no crowd. I held a banner which all might read. The administration should commend instead of allowing a prison sentence to be imposed upon women who hold aloft words which show the utmost devotion to the ideals of political liberty on which our government is founded.” This explanation was offered by Mrs. Wiley: “I want to state that we took this action with the consecration of spirit. We took this action with willingness to sacrifice our personal liberty, in order to focus the attention of the nation on the injustice of our disenfranchisement, that we might thereby win political liberty for all the women of the country.” She closed with: The constitution says that Congress shall not in any way abridge the right of citizens peaceably to assemble and petition. That is exactly what we did. We peacefully assembled and then proceeded with our petition to the President for the redress of our grievance of disenfranchisement. The constitution does not specify the form of petition. Ours was in the form of a banner. To say that we broke the traffic regulations when we exercise our constitutional right of petition is in therefore itself unconstitutional! President Wilson, a previously declared supporter of suffrage now finds himself in a bind. The suffragists are in a large part anti-war, growing in power, declaring themselves apart from established parties and seemingly ever more militant. He comes to see the movement as a threat to the war effort. In the end a compromise is reached, the suffrage movement declares support for the war and the Susan B. Anthony amendment is ratified after being passed by the thirty-sixth state, Tennessee, on August 18, 1920. A woman’s right to vote becomes the nineteenth amendment to the United States Constitution - a movement that has a watershed moment 100 years ago this week in the War that changed the world! [SOUND EFFECT] Great War Project At last the Battle of Passchendaele in Flanders ends. It is declared a victory for the allies - but at such costs - can anything really be considered a victory. Here to tell us about it is Mike Shuster, former NPR correspondent and curator of the Great War Project blog. The horror at Passchendaele is finally over! Mike: [Mike Shuster] Mike Shuster from the Great War Project blog. LINK: http://greatwarproject.org/2017/11/12/a-great-battle-is-over/ [SOUND EFFECT] The Great War Channel For video about WWI - we recommend the Great War Channel on Youtube hosted by Indy Neidell. This week’s new episodes are: The Russian October Revolution The Mad Baron - Roman von Ungern-Sternberg And The Last Hussar - August von Mackensen Follow the link in the podcast notes or search for “the great war” on youtube. Link: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheGreatWar World War One NOW Now we are going to fast forward into the present to WW1 Centennial News NOW - and explore what is happening to commemorate the centennial of the War that changed the world! [SOUND EFFECT] Commission News Events: Recap of Groundbreaking Last week on November 9, 2017 the US World War One Centennial Commission hosted the ceremonial groundbreaking for America’s WWI Memorial at Pershing Park in Washington DC. The event marked an important moment in the projects realization with great guests speaking on the occasion including Muriel Bowser the Mayor of Washington DC, Congressmen Ted Poe, Emanuel Cleaver, Doug Lamborn and Kevin Yoder in a great bipartisan show of support, the administration's US Secretary of Veterans Affairs, David Shulkin, And The Chief of staff of the army, General Mark A. Milley - now this is a post that General Pershing himself held from 1921 to 1924, and that is just some of the great speakers… In fact it was such an interesting series of presentations, perspectives and information that next week we are dedicating a special thanksgiving holiday episode to bringing you the event! [SOUND EFFECT] Memorial Update Interview with Joe Weishaar Joseph Weishaar, who won the international design competition to become the Lead designer for the National World War I Memorial at Pershing Park in Washington, DC spoke at the event and is also with us here today. Joe, it’s the first time we have had you on the show but certainly will not be the last… Welcome! [greetings] [Joe.. we want to learn a little about you - your not an old hand at this memorial design thing - can you tell us how you decided to enter the design competition and the experience of getting selected?] [So during the livestream of the ceremonial groundbreaking the chat room was full of comments from your hometown - your school, your family, your teachers - Where did you grow up and who are all those folks?] [Joe tell us a bit about your partnership with Sabin Howard - who we will have on the show when he gets back from New Zealand - how did you two hook up and what roles do each of you play?] [OK - I have to do this to you… and i will ask you this again in the future - what is the most memorable thing about this experience for you so far?] [Joe - I heard you just got married! Tell us about the happy bride. [Well congratulations to both of you! And we look forward to having you come on the show for updates on the project and the journey of Joe Weishaar! Thanks Joe!] [goodbyes/thanks] Joseph Weishaar is the architect and designer for the National World War One Memorial in Washington, DC. Go to ww1cc.org/memorial to learn all about the project - and we have the link in the podcast notes. Link: www.ww1cc.org/memorial Speaking WW1 And now for our feature “Speaking World War 1” - Where we explore the words & phrases that are rooted in the war --- Americans have been known for shooting skills since the colonial pioneer days, and in World War One they continued to display their sharpshooting skills in the trenches. But shooting from a trench in the war was very different from shooting back home; lifting your head up while you carefully aimed in on a target could get you killed. So when you went to fire, speed was key. Snapping up over the parapet, aim, fire and drop became THE standard procedure, a procedure that came to be known as a snapshot! The word snapshot had been used to describe a quick shot from a firearm during the 1800s, but came into much more frequent use during the war. Around the same time, the word was also borrowed for another activity - taking pictures! As we mentioned in episode #30, this era was the advent of roll film and small, portable cameras. This allowed people to take pictures casually and easily. These quickly composed photographs also became known as snapshots - pop up the camera - aim - fire with the same speed as their namesake riflemen. A game even emerged called “snapshooting,” a sort of photographic version of tag: where you tried to escape while someone raced around trying to catch you on film. It was a kind of photographic version of hunting… but as we were preparing this article - it suddenly struck…

Full show notes at the publisher

Show notes

Highlights POWs in WW1 | @01:30 The war on the eastern front is over - Mike Shuster | @11:15 Tomb of the Unknown Soldier - Gavin McIlvenna | @15:50 Speaking WW1 “Dingbat” | @22:40 100C/100M, Wheaton IL - Nancy Flannery & Rob Sperl | @24:15 The Millionaire’s Unit - Dr. Marc Wortman | @30:50 North Dakota WW1 Centennial Committee - Darrell Dorgan | @38:00 Warrior in Khaki - Native American Warriors - Michael and Ann Knudson | @44:15 WWrite Blog - Pierre Lemaitre’s, The Great Swindle | @51:20 The Buzz - Native American History Month | @52:25 More...----more---- Opening Welcome to World War 1 centennial News - It’s about WW1 THEN - what was happening 100 years ago this week - and it’s about WW1 NOW - news and updates about the centennial and the commemoration. Today is November 8th, 2017. We have a big lineup of guests for you this week… 9 in all! including: Mike Shuster from the great war project blog, Gavin Mcilvenna, President of the Society of the Honor Guard of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Nancy Flannery and Rob Sperl from the 100 cities/100 memorials project in Wheaton, Illinois Marc Wortman, author, historian and journalist Darrell Dorgan, Chairman of the North Dakota WW1 Centennial Committee Michael and Ann Knudson, authors of Warriors in Khaki And Katherine Akey the shows line producer and the commissions social media director... WW1 Centennial News is brought to you by the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission and the Pritzker Military Museum and Library. I’m Theo Mayer - the Chief Technologist for the Commission and your host. Welcome to the show. [MUSIC] World War One THEN 100 Year Ago This Week [MUSIC TRANSITION] This week 100 years ago in both the Official Bulletin, the US government's daily war gazette and the New York Times, there are stories about the first American Prisoners-of-war captured by the Germans. This got us thinking about the subject of POWs in WWI. What were the rules? I mean, the Geneva convention that we usually think of, when we think of prisoner of war “treatment” today generally refers to treaties from 1949 after WWII. Those were updates from 2 treaties pulled together in 1929 - And prior to the 20th century, the treatment and rights for combatants was pretty harsh - There were attempts to develop some kind of humanitarian standards through much of the second half of the 1800’s after the Crimena war. What WAS the story with POWs in WWI? How many were there? Did the Red Cross play a role? What about American POWs? So that’s the theme we are going to explore in today’s WW1 Centennial News THEN… what was happening this week 100 years ago.. in the war that changed the world. [SOUND EFFECT AND TRANSITION] It’s the first week of November, 1917. The Europeans have been at war for over three years, but early this week, as they are training in a relatively quiet area of the western front, a company of American Soldiers gets raided by a German force. 3 are killed , 5 are wounded and 12 Americans get captured by the enemy. [SOUND EFFECT] Dateline Sunday November 4, 1917 The headline in the New York Times reads: Attack Before Daylight Forces in Training Held Small Salient of the Front Line Trenches Pershing tells of loss And the story reads: Armed forces under the American flag have had their first clash with German soldiers--- in an attack which the Germans made on first line trenches, which the United States troops had taken for instruction --- three Americans were killed, five wounded and twelve captured. The Germans respond to the incident with a taunting article in Berlin’s Lokal Anzeiger newspaper [SOUND EFFECT] Dateline Sunday November 4, 1917 Another headline in the New York Times reads: Berlin Rejoices Over American Prisoners; Lokal Anzeiger newspaper extends a “Welcome” The story goes on to read: The Berlin newspaper played up the capture of the Americans in their headlines under the captions: “Good Morning Boys” and goes on to include: Three Cheers for the Americans. Clever chaps they are! It cannot be denied. Scarcely have they touched the soil of this putrified Europe when they are already forcing their way into Germany! It is our good fortune that we are equipped to receive and entertain numerous guests and that we shall be able to provide quarters for these gentlemen. However, we cannot promise them doughnuts and jam, and to this extent they will be obliged to receed from their former standard of living. Above all they will find comfort in the thought that they are rendering their almighty president, Mr. Wilson, valuable services in as much as it is asserted that he is anxious to obtain reliable information concerning conditions and sentiments in belligerent countries. As Americans are accustomed to travel in luxury and comfort, we assume that these advance arrivals merely represent couriers for larger numbers to come. We are sure the latter will come and be gathered in by us. And the propaganda war is in full swing from all sides as exemplified in an article published in the US Government’s Official Bulletin. [SOUND EFFECT] Dateline Tuesday November 6, 1917 Headline: German Soldiers, Forced to murder their helpless foes and prisoners. Germans tell terrifying details in letters In the story it reads: The Committee on Public Information makes public herewith three letters taken from one of its forthcoming pamphlets “ German War Practices” Here is the protest of a German soldier, an eye-witness to the slaughter of Russian soldiers in the Masurian lakes and swamps: “ It was frightful, heart-rending, as those masses of human beings were driven to destruction. Above the terrible thunder of the cannon could be heard the heart-rending cries of the Russians… But there was no mercy. Our captain had ordered: ‘The whole lot must die; so rapid fire.’ As I have heard…. five men and one officer on our side went mad from those heart-wrenching cries. But most of my comrades and the officers joked as helpless Russians shrieked for mercy while they were being suffocated in the swamps and shot down. The order was: ‘ Close up and at it harder!’ For days afterwards those yells followed me, and I dare not think of them or I shall go mad. There is no God; there is no morality and' no ethics any more. There are no human beings any more, but only beasts. I say Down with militarism. This was from a letter by a Prussian soldier as reported by the US government. From a wikipedia entry entitled: World War I prisoners of war in Germany, it states From the beginning of the war, the German authorities find themselves confronted with an unexpected influx of prisoners. In September 1914, at the beginning of the war, 125,000 French soldiers and 94,000 Russians are made captive. Early the following year in, 1915, the number of prisoners being held captive in Germany reaches 652,000 and then rises even more quickly. From February to August 1915, it goes from 652,000 to 1,045,000. One year later, in August 1916, it reaches 1.6 million, and then reaches just over 2.4 million prisoners of war by October 1918. This experience gives Germany a strong foundation in the implementation, operation and exploitation of large POW and labor camps, know-how they will employ again in the future. Preparing to deal with American POWs, the US government makes plans with the US Red Cross to help care for our captured doughboys. [SOUND EFFECT] Dateline: Wednesday November 7, 1917 The headline of the Official Bulletin reads: RED CROSS PLANS TO FEED U. S. PRISONERS lN GERMANY The story reads: Arrangements for supplying food and clothing to American prisoners of war in Germany have been worked out in detail by the War and Navy Departments and the American Red Cross. Since the beginning of the war, England and France have met Germany’s inadequate care of its prisoners by sending supplies of their own, and in the main the system has operated successfully. To support American soldiers and sailors who may be captured and confined in German prison camps, the disbursing agent of the Red Cross at Berne, Switzerland, will be supplied with 4,500 tons of food immediately. This will comprise 1,800,000 individual rations, or enough to feed 10,000 men adequately for six months. Now… Surprisingly, these preparations are over specified. The fact is, that the US POW count winds up being pretty low at just above 4,100 soldiers - even with over 2 million soldiers in the field. This may speak to the nature of the American Expeditionary Force’s campaign style and few battles where the forces are captured wholesale. Contrast this with the currently on-going Battle of Caporetto - where 265,000 italian soldiers are captured by the Prussians. And speaking of the Battle of Caporetto - Two names pop up connected to that battle --- that our listeners may be familiar with. Supporting the Austrians is a young German Captain - who will emerge in WWII as a major military strategist - Field Marshal Erwin Rommel - the Desert Fox. On the US side, there is a young ambulance driver who will emerge after the war as one of the giant figures of literature - Ernest Hemingway, who was wounded in this battle and used his experiences as a basis for his 1929 novel, A Farewell to Arms. These notes on the battle of Caporetto were sent in to me by my cousin Michael who is a military cryptologist and who wanted to point out that the use of SIGINT or signal intelligence - strategic decoding of battlefield radio communications - played a key part in Caporetto - used by the Austrians to wipe out and capture Italy’s artillery! Links: www.ww1cc.org/bulletin http://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/educate/history/official-bulletin/2883-ww1-official-bulletin-volume-1-issue-153-november-7-1917.html http://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/educate/history/official-bulletin/2882-ww1-official-bulletin-volume-1-issue-152-november-6-1917.html http://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/educate/history/official-bulletin/2881-ww1-official-bulletin-volume-1-issue-151-november-5-1917.html http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9401EEDB123FE433A25756C0A9679D946696D6CF http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9D00EEDB123FE433A25756C0A9679D946696D6CF [SOUND EFFECT] Great War Project But perhaps the biggest and most impactful story 100 years ago this week is the end of the war on the eastern front --- as Russia formally drops out of the fight! Mike Shuster, former NPR correspondent and curator for the Great War Project blog is here to tell us about it. Welcome Mike. [Mike Shuster] Mike Shuster from the Great War Project blog. LINK: http://greatwarproject.org/2017/11/05/the-bolsheviks-seize-power-in-russia/ [SOUND EFFECT] The Great War Channel If you need a little WWI video action - we recommend the Great War Channel on Youtube hosted by Indy Neidell. This week’s new episodes are: Battle of Beersheba and Canadian Frustration Breakthroughs and Setbacks - Fall 1917 And as we covered last week - Zionism during WW1 Follow the link in the podcast notes or search for “the great war” on youtube. Link: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheGreatWar World War One NOW Now we are going to fast forward into the present to WW1 Centennial News NOW - and explore what is happening to commemorate the centennial of the War that changed the world! [SOUND EFFECT] Events: Veterans Day Interview with Gavin McIlvenna - Tomb of the Unknown Soldier On this veterans day weekend, we are going to start with a special guest, Retired Sergeant Major Gavin Mcilvenna, President of the Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. One of the most iconic images of remembrance during any Memorial or Veterans Day is the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, guards at attention, rain or shine, honoring our fallen with the serious, heartfelt solemnity and devotion to the duty that they are performing. Gavin has been one of those guards and it is our privilege to have him here today to give us some insight into those men and women, that life and the job they do. Welcome Gavin! [greetings] [Gavin, how did the tradition of honoring an Unknown Soldier begin - and what is the idea behind it? ] [For those who stand guard over the unknown soldier - what does it mean to them?] [Are there unknowns from multiple conflicts, or just World War One?] [So You’re the president of the Society of the Honor Guard of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. What is the Society’s mission?] [The Society is preparing for the centennial of the very first Unknown Soldier selected in 1921 -- can you tell us a bit about what those commemoration plans look like?] Thank you so much for being here with us today! [goodbyes/thanks] Gavin McIlvenna is the President of the Society of the Honor Guard of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. We have links for you in the podcast notes to learn more... Link: http://tombguard.org/ http://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/Explore/Tomb-of-the-Unknown-Soldier Speaking WW1 And now for our feature “Speaking World War 1 - Where we explore the words & phrases that are rooted in the war --- In ww1, Australian soldiers earned an outstanding reputation. They fought in many of the great theatres of war: Gallipoli, Damascus, Gaza, the Somme, Ypres and Passchendaele. Right from the beginning, though, they were seen as trouble by the English Officers… They were brash, boisterous, undisciplined, they dressed improperly -- some didn't even shave everyday. But they fought like tasmanian devils and if you ever hung out with australians you’ll know that they were just being their very cool and very natural Aussie selves - considering the English officers as uptight arses. The Australians were also masters of slang, in their gruff-but-goofy style, so it’s no surprise that they came up with a wonderfully nonsensical yet descriptive term for an uptight arse: A dingbat! A bit of an insult: A bit of a description… The word itself - Dingbat - has earlier origins, being used since the early 19th century much like the word thingamajig, a placeholder for when you don’t quite know what to call something. Today, the word’s main use is as a computer type font filled not with letters but with symbols, shapes and objects - So if you always thought of Dingbat as a fancy asterisk... in world war 1 it was simply a different kind of arse... Terisk. See the podcast notes to learn more! link: https://www.amazon.com/Tommy-Doughboy-Fritz-Soldier-Slang/dp/144563 7839/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1508848013&sr=8-1&keywords=tommy+doughboy+fritz http://mentalfloss.com/article/58233/21-slang-terms-world-war-i 100 Cities/100 Memorials [SOUND EFFECT Wheaton IL 100 cities Moving on to our 100 Cities / 100 Memorials segment about the $200,000 matching grant challenge to rescue and focus on our local WWI memorials. To start - we just have to plug the fact that we are taking grant applications for the second round - we have matching grants to give away but you need to submit the application before January 15, 2018 - go to ww1cc.org/100Memorials to learn all about it.’ Now this week we are profiling the WWI Obelisk in Wheaton Illinois-- one of the first 50 awardees of the 100 available grants --- with us tell us about their project are Nancy Flannery, Chair of the City of Wheaton Historic Commission, and Rob Sperl, Director of Parks and Planning, Wheaton Park District. Welcome to both of you! [exchange greetings] [Nancy, in your grant application for 100 Cities / 100 memorials you said - Quote” The US participation in World War I not only changed the population of Wheaton, Illinois; it defined Wheaton as a community willing to fight for its beliefs.Unquote What did you mean by that?] [Nancy - how did the obelisk come about?] [Rob, I noted that your project is scaled well over $50,000 - and that the park board of commissioners committed to covering the rest - how did the city decide evolve?] [ Is the project finished? Do you have plans for a rededication?] [exchange thanks] Nancy Flannery, is the Chair of the City of Wheaton Hist…

Full show notes at the publisher

Show notes

Highlights The US naval war of 1917 | @01:10 The Ghost Fleet of Mallows Bay with Steve Bunker & Carrie Villar | @07:35 Living in NYC? Did a “Slacker” live in your apartment 100 years ago? | @14:55 The Balfour Declaration - Promise of a Jewish Homeland in Palestine with Mike Shuster | @17:15 The worldwide history of Veterans Day | @22:05 Ceremonial Groundbreaking for America’s WWI Memorial in Washington DC | @24:10 Veterans Day Events | @24:30 Speaking WWI… “Scrounge” | @28:00 100C/100M in Riverside IL with Joseph Baar Topinka | @29:30 International Report - Notre Dame Projection spectacular and documentary premiere | @36:20 Falling back to Daylight Standard Time - Blame the Kaiser | @37:35 The Buzz in Social Media | @39:35----more---- Opening Welcome to World War 1 centennial News - It’s about WW1 THEN - what was happening 100 years ago this week - and it’s about WW1 NOW - news and updates about the centennial and the commemoration. Today is November 1st, 2017 and our guests this week are: Steve Bunker of the Friends of Mallows Bay and Carrie Villar curator for the Ghosts of Mallows Bay exhibit at Woodrow Wilson House Mike Shuster from the great war project blog, And Joseph Baar Topinka, Post Commander at American Legion Post 0488 in Riverside, Illinois. WW1 Centennial News is brought to you by the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission and the Pritzker Military Museum and Library. I’m Theo Mayer - the Chief Technologist for the Commission and your host. Welcome to the show. [MUSIC] World War One THEN 100 Year Ago This Week [MUSIC TRANSITION] Today, we are looking at the war on the water. The Atlantic Ocean was a major factor in the war 100 years ago. It wasn’t just a military battleground but an important strategic pivot. Ships and mastery of the seas had been key factors in national strength for centuries. Fleets and armadas the stuff of legends... but the conflict on the seas during WW1 is unique and comes down to a life and death struggle between the need to move goods, materiel and men versus the threat of small, stealthy and deadly raiders - the U-boats of WWI. Like a small virus that can fell giants - the German U-boats are not just a threat to ships on the seas, but a deadly noose closing to choke the life out of nations. So Let’s jump into our wayback machine and head back to 1917 to see how all this lays out and plays out. [MUSIC TRANSITION] We’ve gone back in time 100 years and we are looking back across the waters of the year of 1917. In just the first four months of 1917, U-boat raids reduce the British grain supply to just six weeks by sinking 1,365 ships. The Kaiser’s Navy believes that by using unrestricted submarine warfare on all shipping, it can blockade England into surrender whether the U.S. intervenes in the war or not. They are killing transports faster that replacements can be built and they know they are hurting the brits - a lot! England imperial economy is hugely dependent on imports of food and raw materials, and at the current rate of sinking it’s supply lines, it is quite possible the England and then the allies might lose the war… not to the millions of poor souls slugging it out in the trenches - but to an effective fleet of just a few hundred submarines... each typically only 214 feet long, carrying 35 men, 12 torpedoes, mines and capable of traveling underwater for two hours at a stretch. As America enters the war in April of 1917, the US Navy strategy is not focused on this threat at all. It's strategic focus is on building a POWER navy headed by giant battle cruisers and dreadnaughts… The Naval Act of 1916 authorizes the building of ten battleships and six battle cruisers -- 32 thousand and 42 thousand ton behemoths sporting massive 16" guns, supported by scores of cruisers, destroyers and new submarines. This is a big iron --- power strategy -- based on what is known as Capital Ships - ready to fight in the atlantic, caribbean and Pacific - perhaps all at once… a prophetic vision for a quarter century later. But the real challenge and the task for the US navy just entering the war is protecting shipping lanes from the deadly stings of little raiders just under the surface. It’s an issue we need to address - not just for Brittain - but as our only way to move millions of men, equipment and supplies across the Atlantic in order to join the fight! This is made very clear to Rear Admiral William Sims. he’s the president of the Naval War College and goes to Britain on the eve of America’s entry into the war to meet with the British Admiralty about strategy. In point of fact, the ship he travels to England on, the American Line's New York, is damaged by a submarine-laid mine as it approaches Liverpool. The Admiralty, pleads its case and makes clear that is is implementing a convoy system - something the US naval command does not believe in. This strategy requires lots of smaller ships -- primarily destroyers - to work as escorts. The British campaign for the US to refocus it’s shipbuilding on ships suited to that task of convoying. Sims, who is subsequently named commander of U.S. naval forces in European waters, becomes an early convert for convoys. On 14 April, just days after America enters the war - he cables Washington with his recommendations that the maximum number of American destroyers be made available immediately. He argues that the timely arrival of even a small number of escorts at this critical moment can have an immediate and strategically important impact on the war -- right now!! --- given the fact that it’s gonna take some time for the US to mobilize enough military land resources to have any other actual impact. There is pushback on this from Admiral William Benson -- Chief of Naval Operations and Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels who argue for putting more emphasis on armed merchant ships sailing independently, with navy patrolled sea lanes. However, Sims advocacy and additional diplomatic admiralty visits to Washington succeeds in getting twenty-eight American destroyers escorting convoys by the end of june and thirty five by end August 1917, rather than the Navy simply conducting patrols as had been the original plan. Well, it turns out that the convoy system works - and works well - The positive results bring the Americans around - especially admiral Benson who reportedly "goes to the mat," with the American naval building priorities This ties into what we told you about in Episode 28, On Friday July 18th, 1917- President Wilson announced in the Official Bulletin that: Because of their varied contracts for shipbuilding, the yards can not carry out our program without the help of the Government; it has, therefore, been decided that the shipbuilding industry of the Nation shall be federalized. The administration appointed United States Shipping Board Emergency Fleet Corporation is put in charge. Three days later - on the 21st. July 1917, Secretary Daniels orders construction of new battleships to cease. Priority is to be given to destroyers and other anti-submarine craft. He authorized construction of what would eventually total 266 destroyers. Links: http://www.iwm.org.uk/history/the-u-boat-campaign-that-almost-broke-britain https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U-boat_Campaign_(World_War_I) http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/germans-unleash-u-boats https://www.theatlantic.com/photo/2014/04/world-war-i-in-photos-war-at-sea/507332/ http://www.worldwar1.com/tgws/usnwwone.htm [SOUND EFFECT] Mallows Bay A huge push for ship building in the US - with many built so fast and a maybe a little shoddy -- that over 200 of them - having served their purpose - were scuttled and sunk right after the war -- which leads us to our next story… We are going to slide into the present for just a moment to talk about The Ghost Fleet of Mallows Bay - a small bay on the Maryland side of the Potomac River in Charles County, Maryland. It’s considered the "largest shipwreck graveyard in the Western Hemisphere… and now being advocated for and being considered by NOAA to become one of the most interesting national marine sanctuary in the united states. With us here in 2017 are Steve Bunker from the Friends of Mallows Bay, and Carrie Villar, who served as interim director of Woodrow Wilson House in washington DC a national trust for historic preservation historic site and carrie is also the curator for the Ghosts of Mallows Bay exhibit,. Welcome to both of you…. [exchange greetings] [Steve, can you tell us a bit about how, why and who sunk all those ships in Mallows Bay?] [I understand that the bay was salvaged for steel and other metals - tell us about that?] [Since I’ve learned about it - Mallows Bay is on my list of places I want to see.. What is the visitor experience like?] [The Woodrow Wilson house just opened an exhibit on this - and with us is Carrie Villar the curator for the exhibit - Carrie, how and why did the Woodrow Wilson House get involved? ] [Carrie - Can you tell us a bit about the opening?] Thank you both for coming on the show! That was Steve Bunker from the Friends of Mallow bay, and Carrie Villar, the curator of the Ghosts of Mallows Bay exhibit at Woodrow Wilson House. Links: http://www.woodrowwilsonhouse.org/event/exhibit-opening-ghost-fleet https://sanctuaries.noaa.gov/mallows-bay/ Whipping back to 100 years ago this week --- Boy are we breaking format today - but --- we found one more quick story that we just HAVE to slip in… [SOUND EFFECT] Dateline October 29th, 1917 The Headline of the NY times reads: Names of New Yorkers Who Have Failed to Respond to the Draft Call 1490 of draft age ignore summons - men classed as deserters - reward of $50 for each!! WOW -- This article put out by Roger B Wood, director of the draft in New York City lists the names AND ADDRESSES of nearly 1500 young men - known at the time as SLACKERS (our Speaking WWI word from our early August episode #32) They are naming names - they are giving addresses - and they are offering rewards - and god help any one of those young men with a German sounding last name. But the reason we HAD to slip in the story - and give you the link to the article is because - when Katherine Akey - our line producer - who found the article looked through the list - well - let me have her tell you herself [Katherine tells us how she found an old apartment address in NYC that SHE lived in and challenges listeners who have done stints in NYC to check out their old addresses to see if they are SLACKER refuges!!! - fun Sam Berry, on St Mark’s Place] This very important link is in the podcast notes... link:http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9D0CE3DD113AE433A2575AC2A9669D946696D6CF [SOUND EFFECT] Great War Project The war that changed the world is connected to the roots of many of our modern conflicts and here to tell us one of the stories is Mike shuster, former NPR correspondent and curator for the Great War project blog. Hi Mike! [Mike Shuster] Mike Shuster from the Great War Project blog. LINK: http://greatwarproject.org/2017/10/29/the-struggle-for-palestine-begins/ [SOUND EFFECT] The Great War Channel For weekly informative videos about WW1 from the European perspective, we recommend the Great War Channel on Youtube - This week - two new episodes focus on Caporetto which we introduced to you last week : FIrst == The Battle of La Malmaison [mal-may-zon] -- Breakthrough at Caporetto Next - On the Battlefield of Caporetto -- Exploring the Kovorat -- a report from the team’s trip to Italy And finally - Strategic Bombing on the Western Front Follow the link in the podcast notes or search for “the great war” on youtube. Link: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheGreatWar World War One NOW [SOUND EFFECT] We have moved forward in time to the present… Welcome to WW1 Centennial News NOW - This part of the program is not about history but how the centennial of the War that changed the world is being commemorated today. Veterans Day History Worldwide As we continue our countdown to veterans day, let’s take a moment to look back at its origins and the variations of it around the world. Veterans Day originated as “Armistice Day”, first celebrated on Nov. 11, 1919, the first anniversary of the end of fighting during World War I. It became a national holiday in 1938 and in 1954 President EIsenhower officially changed the name to Veterans day incorporate the ideas beyond WWI. Memorial Day - that you probably think of it as the start of the summer season - focuses on veterans who paid the ultimate price, while Veterans Day - with its roots as a salute to our doughboys - is a tribute to any American veterans—living or dead. It is our national salute to service. Great Britain, France, Australia and Canada also commemorate the veterans of World War I and World War II on or near November 11th: Canada has Remembrance Day, while Britain has Remembrance Sunday. Each country honors its veterans, and the armistice of WW1, in a slightly different way. France expelled an invader from its territory, and the tenor of commemoration there reflects that. Even the symbol of remembrance differs from place to place. The red poppy of flanders fields is common in the UK, Australia and New Zealand, Canada and America -- The French use the blue cornflower, whic – like the poppy – continued to grow in land devastated by war. No matter how our commemorations may differ, citizens from all across the globe will take pause on or around November 11th to remember the sacrifice of men and women in who serve their nations in the military. Events As we countdown to Veterans Day 2018, here are some things for you to participate in. Ceremonial Groundbreaking for America’s WWI Memorial at Pershing Park in Washington DC Start on November 9, at 11am eastern with the ceremonial groundbreaking for the National World War One memorial at Pershing Park in Washington DC. We will be streaming it on Facebook live. We are on facebook @ww-the number 1- centennial… or follow the link in the podcast notes. LINK: http://Facebook.com/ww1Centennial Next be sure to tag all your related posts and photos on social media using the hashtag #countdowntoveteransday. Link: https://www.va.gov/opa/vetsday/vetdayhistory.asp http://www.military.com/veterans-day/history-of-veterans-day.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bleuet_de_France#/media/File:CPA_Bleuet_de_France_1914-1918.jpg We suggest you visit the U.S. National WW1 Centennial Events Register at WW1CC.org/events to look for Veterans Day events near you. Many WWI related organizations have posted events in the national register. We have picked a few of them to tell you about... NYC In the Big Apple, the famous New York City Veterans Day Parade is the largest Veterans Day event in the nation. The Parade takes place every November 11, rain or shine with activities commencing at 10am. Over 300 units and tens of thousands of marchers assemble near Madison Square Park, including veterans of all eras, military units, civic & youth groups, businesses, and high school bands from across America. Also in New York, on Thursday evening the 9th of November the annual Flanders Remembers Concert will present Distortion, a Hymn to Liberty on at the Kaufman Music Center in New York. Commissioned by the Government of Flanders, the piece commemorates the Centennial of World War I, and the concert will benefit the United War Veterans Council. Washington DC area Also on November 11th, Arlington National Cemetery will host its annual commemorations on Veterans Day. A prelude concert will begin in the Memorial Amphitheater at 10:30 a.m followed by a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at 11 a.m. Commemoration ceremonies are being held all over the country! Not just in major metros. For example... Wilberforce Ohio In Wilberforce Ohio, the National Afro-American Museum & Cultural Center is holding a Veterans Day Commemoration Event where award winning history teacher…

Full show notes at the publisher

Show notes

Highlight: US troops quietly begin deployment to the western front | @01:15 British troops near mutiny - Mike Shuster | @06:55 Zeppelin L-49 captured intact - War in The Sky | @10:50 Announcing Ceremonial groundbreaking for America’s WWI Memorial in Washington DC -Facebook Live stream coming | @15:30 All about America’s WWI Memorial in DC - Edwin Fountain | @16:15 Junior Master Gardener Poppy Program update - Lisa Whittlesey | @24:10 Speaking WWI - the word is Nark! | @29:35 100C/100M project profile - Borough of Danville, PA - Jamie Shrawder | @31:00 International Caparetto, Kobarid and Karfreit - Commemoration | @36:10 First three American combat casualties - from 16th infantry | @37:35 The Franco-American links - US Centennial Commissioner Seifried | @39 :00 About Aline Kilmer’s poetry - Peter Molin on WWRITE blog | @39:35 Buzz on Old Rhinebeck Aerodrome and selection of the Unknown Soldier | @40:45 more...----more---- Opening Welcome to World War 1 centennial News - It’s about WW1 THEN - what was happening 100 years ago this week - and it’s about WW1 NOW - news and updates about the centennial and the commemoration. Today is October 25th, 2017 and our guests this week are: Mike Shuster from the great war project blog, Edwin Fountain, Vice Chair at the US WW1 Centennial Commission Lisa Whittlesey, Director of the International Junior Master Gardener Program And Jamie Shrawder, the Administrator of Governmental Affairs for the Borough of Danville, Pennsylvania WW1 Centennial News is brought to you by the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission and the Pritzker Military Museum and Library. I’m Theo Mayer - the Chief Technologist for the Commission and your host. Welcome to the show. [MUSIC] This was a big week 100 years ago in the War that changed the world. Looking back - --- America declares war 6 months ago and the first American troops arrive in Europe 4 months ago. This week 100 years ago, the Army’s 1st division quietly deploys to Sommervillier - in france - a village near the western front almost directly between Belgium and Switzerland. We put a link in the podcast notes to some National Archive footage showing the the soldiers of the 1st division moving their horse drawn wagons, mechanised trucks, artillery and men to the fighting front. This is in the midst of a lots of controversy, conflicting agendas… opinions, and a very dire situation in the war “over there”. So let’s jump into our wayback machine to see what going on and how things play out 100 years ago this week. World War One THEN 100 Year Ago This Week [MUSIC TRANSITION] We are nearing the end of November 1917 and in the US, speculation is high about “Our Boys” getting into the fight. The official bulletin says NOTHING about this, the Wilson administration is being obscure, but the public press is sensing that something is up. [Sound Effect] Dateline: October 22, 1917 The headline in the New York Times reads: Hints Our Army is Near Action…. Secretary Baker’s guarded review is taken to mean that soldiers soon will be in the trenches. In the story it reads: In his review to press, Secretary of War Baker emphasized the status of the Pershing expedition by giving it the most prominent position in his analysis of the military equation. He declares that “our men in France, after three months of intensive training, are in splendid physical condition and efficient fighting trim” and that they “Now feel at home in the war zone”. The Secretary had no comment to make on the statement, but the interpretation placed on his words, when carefully weighed here tonight, is that they mark the verge of the actual entrance of the American Troops into the fighting line. Now Over in Europe, the situation is both complex and dire. We are going to zoom out for an overview of the situation. The troops on all sides are deeply war weary from the intense multi-year carnage of this unprecedented conflict. The Russians are effectively falling out of the fight with internal revolution and mass mutinies within their ranks. Everyone is clear that Russia is dropping out. This will free up a massive resources for the Germans for an expected major spring offensive. Although the Americans have come to join the fight, and despite having been technically at war since April, the United States has just four infantry divisions in France. These are not seasoned troops. These are young civilians short on training, equipment, modern staff techniques and without combat experience. This raises a contentious concept called Amalgamation. Amalgamation would have the United States insert its men directly into existing British and French units at the company level. This, argue the europeans, would compensate for the American officers and NCOs lack of familiarity with modern staff arrangements and technologies like aviation, armor, machine guns and heavy artillery. American troops would thereby be commanded at the tactical level by American junior officers, but the operational and strategic direction of American forces would be handled by more experienced Europeans. Though this sounds practical, many Americans including General Pershing look at the enormous casualty levels on the western front and recoil against the thought of our young men being used as cannon fodder by European generals. Pershing believes that the Europeans have become too tied to trench warfare. He has a different concept embodied in his "open warfare" doctrine, which, he argues, will restore mobility to warfare by emphasizing American aggressiveness and marksmanship. Politically, Wilson and his advisors also recognized that amalgamation of American forces will not allow for a distinctive American presence on the western front. Wilson believes that he will need to be able to point to an American contribution to victory if he is to represent American interests in any post-war peace conference. Yet it is obvious that the Americans are not yet ready to fight on their own. Americans have virtually no experience in this new modern warfare. They need time to learn about it, trench warfare and modern tactics. They also need time to build relationships with their French and British allies and to overcome the crazy inefficiencies of their own mobilization. There is great confidence that we can do it. The question is whether we can be trained, blooded, and effective in time to stop the German spring offensive. So on October 21, the first of the doughboys pack up, and General John J. Pershing leads the 1st Division to Sommervillier - a relatively quiet part of the western front to take the men of the American Expeditionary force to the fight 100 years ago this week! We want to thank Michael s. Neiberg and Harold K. Johnson professors of Military history at the US Army War College for their great and insightful article on the subject. That link and other sources are in the podcast notes. Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfeHCj7yQa4 http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9A0CE5D6103AE433A25750C2A9669D946696D6CF http://today-in-wwi.tumblr.com/post/166656659468/first-americans-enter-the-front-line http://today-in-wwi.tumblr.com/post/162357733133/first-american-division-arrives-in-france http://www.au.af.mil/au/awc/awcgate/ww1/aef-wwi.htm [SOUND EFFECT] Great War Project From the Great War Project Blog - we are joined by Mike shuster, former NPR correspondent and curator for the Great War project. The endless carnage, devastating conditions and futile progress at Passchendaele is taking its toll on men and morale - especially with the British troops under a seemingly uncaring British commander - General Douglas Haig. Discontent is boiling up in the ranks. Mike - please tell us the story… [Mike Shuster] Thank you Mike. That was Mike Shuster from the Great War Project blog. LINK: http://greatwarproject.org/2017/10/22/british-soldiers-threaten-mutiny/ War in the Sky This week in the great war in the sky we go to Bourbonne - les- bains - in France - interestingly not too far from Sommerviller where the 1st Division is heading. The Associated press has a reporter that gets to see a intact captured german Zeppelin. [Sound Effect] Dateline: Sunday October 21, 1917 The Headline in the NY times reads: “Americans Inspect Captive Zeppelin” “French also throng to see the great airship that was brought down intact! Germans Tried to wreck it… Prevented by victorious French Aviator who showed great pluck!” In this illustrative story we learn many things about these giants of the sky what were sometimes referred to as Baby Killers or Pirates because of their bombing of civilian areas. The story reads: The crews of the Super-Zeppelins L49 and L50 have been interrogated and their replies confirm the supposition that they made up part of a single expedition against England. The Pirate fleet numbered twelve and left their stations separately. The prisoners say that when they reached the English coast, they were much bothered by anti-aircraft guns and even more by searchlights. L-50 quickly dropped its bombs and then rose to a height of three miles where they were caught by strong winds. Zeppelin L-49 came down near Bourbonne-Les-Bains--- intact, as were its machinery and its instruments. When the Zeppelin’s commander saw that it was impossible to save his ship, he destroyed the wireless apparatus and tried to explode the airship by firing his pistol into it. An opportunity was given to some American Officers to inspect the craft with French flying men. The whole body of the Zeppelin is painted black except the top, which is silvered. There is a small German Cross on each side amidships. The German airmen seemed surprised to see the Americans who had an opportunity to talk with some of them, and also with the Zeppelin commander, a slight blonde Lieutenant, speaking excellent english. A young French aviator told how he flew in pursuit of the Zeppelin to such an altitude that his cheeks froze and how he succeeded finally in forcing the craft down with his machine gun. When he saw they were about to land, he dived to earth. Other french aviators landed near. At the point of his pistol, the germans were prevented from damaging the craft further and were made prisoner. This is from an Associated Press report and a newspaper article published in the New York Times - and it is a story that unfold in the great war in the sky one hundred years ago this week. The link to the original article in the New York Times is in the podcast notes. link:http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=9A05E4D6103AE433A25750C2A9669D946696D6CF [SOUND EFFECT] The Great War Channel We are really happy that you listen to our podcast - but If you’d like to watch some videos about WW1, we’d like to recommend that you see our friends at the Great War Channel on Youtube - New episodes for this week include: Operation Albion Concludes - Allied Failures in Belgium Their second episode is a bit unique -- it is Interview is with rocker Pär Sundström from the hard metal band Sabaton who write and perform a lot of WWI themed songs. Here is a clip of the interview. The third video is called: German defense strategy and tactics at Passchendaele Follow the link in the podcast notes or search for “the great war” on youtube. Link: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheGreatWar World War One NOW [SOUND EFFECT] We have moved forward in time to the present… Welcome to WW1 Centennial News NOW - This part of the program is not about history but how the centennial of the War that changed the world is being commemorated today. Commission News Interview with Edwin Fountain In Commission News we want to invite you to a very special live streaming event on November 9 at 11am Eastern. You’ll be able to tune in to Facebook live to watch the ceremonial groundbreaking for the National World War I Memorial at Pershing Park in Washington DC. It may surprise our listeners to learn that in Washington DC there is no national WWI memorial honoring our doughboys, their sacrifice and their victory in WWI. It’s true! There is a memorial for WWII, for Korea and for Vietnam but none for WWI. With is today is a man who has passionately been addressing this issue for the better part of a decade - maybe longer. He is also the Vice Chair of the World War One Centennial Commission - Edwin Fountain. Edwin welcome to WW1 Centennial News! [Edwin - Why is it important that we build a national WW1 Memorial in our nation’s capital.] [Edwin - tell us about America’s WWI Memorial in Pershing Park what is it going to be like?] [We will post a link to that sculpture design in the podcast notes.] [How can our listeners help build this memorial for our doughboys?] Thank you Commissioner Edwin Fountain. That was Edwin Fountain - the vice-chair of the US World War One Centennial Commission. Education [Sound Effect] Junior Master Gardener Follow Up with Lisa Whittlesey In Episode #28, we introduced you to the Junior Master Gardener Program a 4H project. It’s an international youth gardening program that engages children in novel, “hands-on” learning experiences that provide a love of gardening, develop an appreciation for the environment, and cultivates not just the earth but young minds. This Fall, the Junior Master Gardener program partnered with the US World War One Centennial Commission’s Poppy Seed Program to raise money for the program and America’s World War I Memorial in Washington DC. So as a reminder to our listeners, the WWI Poppy Program lets you Raise money for your organization, While helping us build the National WW1 Memorial in Washington DC. The red poppy is an internationally recognized symbol of rememmbrance for veteran sacrifice. It works like this... for a donation of around 60 dollars, we send you a box of 60 Red Poppy seed packets in a kit. Your organization sells the poppy seed packets for $2 (or anything you want) and you keep the second dollar. So you can raise money for your local veterans organization, school, church, scout troop or master junior gardener team - learn more about WWI and help us build the memorial in DC all at the same time - With us to give us an update is Lisa Whittelsey, Director of the International Junior Master Gardener Program. Hi Lisa - good to have you with us again! [Say hello] [Lisa: how are our gardeners doing?] [Lisa, what are some of the reasons the kids and their schools should get involved with the poppy program?] [some of your kids really got into it -- even making their own video commercials. Let me play a clip from a group of enterprising junior master gardeners from the lone star state of Texas!] [what are some of the stories you’ve heard about the program?] [So flowers and poppy growing seems like a springtime activity - What happens now? Does the program go through the winter?] Thank you Lisa! That was Lisa Whittlesey, Director of the International Junior Master Gardener Program. Learn more about the Program and the collaboration with the Commission by following the links in the podcast notes. Update/Reminder on how the poppy program works link:http://ww1cc.org/poppy http://ww1cc.org/jmg http://jmgkids.us http://jmgkids.us/poppy/ http://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/communicate/press-media/wwi-centennial-news/3115-junior-master-gardener-program-works-to-honor-world-war-i-veterans.html [SOUND EFFECT] Speaking WW1 And now for our feature “Speaking World War 1 - Where we explore today’s words & phrases that are rooted in the war --- There were many things you didn’t want to be called in the trenches -- a coward, a deserter, a “client for Rouen”, aka a man with a venereal disease -- but one of the worst possible things to be called in the trenches was: a Nark! Really… So was there a drug culture in the trenches and informants to the military narcotics vice squad?? - well no - Contrary to popular belief, the word “nark” -- spelled n-a-r-k -- doesn’t come from the word “narcotics” at all. In fact, it’s origin comes from the word for n…

Full show notes at the publisher

Show notes

Highlights Trading With The Enemy Act |@01:15 Mata Hari is executes - Mike Shuster |@06:10 Little companies big ideas - War in the Sky |@09:50 Gilder Lehrman Institute program - Tim Bailey |@14:30 Speaking WWI: “Short Hairs” |@ 21:20 100 Cities / 100 Memorials genesis and future - Ken Clarke |@22:40 100 Cities / 100 Memorials profile - Memorial to US Air Service - Michael O’neal and Robert Kasprzak |@30:35 Kiwis Commemorate Passchendaele |@37:00 Michigan sign WWI Centennial Commission into law |@39:00 Madame Curie in WWI |@39:40----more---- Opening Welcome to World War 1 centennial News - It’s about WW1 THEN - what was happening 100 years ago this week - and it’s about WW1 NOW - news and updates about the centennial and the commemoration. Today is October 18th, 2017 and our guests this week are: Mike Shuster from the great war project blog, Tim Bailey, Director of Education at the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History Kenneth Clark, President and CEO of the Pritzker Military Museum and Library And Michael O'Neal with Robert A. Kasprzak from the 100 Cities / 100 Memorials project in Dayton, Ohio sponsored by the League of WW1 Aviation Historians WW1 Centennial News is brought to you by the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission and the Pritzker Military Museum and Library. I’m Theo Mayer - the Chief Technologist for the Commission and your host. Welcome to the show. [MUSIC] Our theme this week is about hunkering down in the midst of a threat. America has declared its martial intent on 1/2 of a world at war, and now it must take both an offensive and defensive poster. Though u-Boats are an endless threat on the seas, there is little chance that the kaiser would land an army in the Chesapeake bay. But there were plenty of threats to worry about… and the Wilson Administration did! One hundred years ago this week, on October 14th, Wilson signs the “Trading with the enemy act” into law. Today, many aspects of this law would be unthinkable including the appointment of an Alien Property Custodian empowered to seize the assets of immigrant’s businesses and not just mom & Pop outfits but national brands. So let’s jump into the wayback machine to see how this plays out starting 100 years ago this week. World War One THEN 100 Year Ago This Week [MUSIC TRANSITION] Welcome to mid October 1917 - President Wilson has just signed the Trading with the Enemy Act into law giving him new broad powers relating to foreign trade. The intent is that no American trade aids can benefit Germany and its allies in any way. Those allies include Austria-hungary, Bulgaria, and Turkey - even though America has not actually declared war with those allies. Under the act, German-owned property in the US can be seized, and as enemy property German owned patents can be used without royalty including, for example, the German-owned Bayer company’s patented aspirin pills. Treasury secretary McAdoo gets extensive power to control the exchange of Gold and securities between the US and foreign countries. Meanwhile, the Postmaster General has total censorship over the non-english-language press as well as total control over international communications by telegraph. Interestingly, unlike many of the other wartime acts, the trading with the enemy act will not be repealed after the war and will have lasting impact into the 21st century! As one reads the law - it starts by defining who IS an enemy in essence and simply put, an Enemy is someone we have declared war on. That is simple and makes sense. But the President can also declare any other nation and the citizens of that nation enemies by proclamation. In other words, the friends of my enemy are also my enemy -- And the act reaches deep. For example, if you are a German immigrant living in the US for 20 years. You have built a life, a business and a family, but you yourself are not an American citizen - well, you are an enemy. Which leads to another expanded definition: “Allie of the Enemy” - which includes any individual, partnership or group of individuals of any nationality inside the enemy’s territories, or someone doing business with the enemy or an allie of the enemy, or company incorporated in enemy territory, or doing business within an allie of the enemy territory - you are an enemy. Given that being declared an enemy allows the US Government to seize your property - both real property and intellectual property, the newly formed Office of Alien Property Custodian, headed by an appointee named Mitchell Palmer, gets busy. Within a year, Palmer will manage 30,000 trusts - or seized properties, businesses or assets - worth ½ a billion dollars. Whole industries are affected - for example, the United States Brewers Association - and the rest of the overwhelmingly German liquor industry is proclaimed to harbor unpatriotic and pro-german sentiments and is effectively seized. For history and law buffs interested in the details, we recommend that you read Mitchell Palmer’s report to President Wilson called: A detailed Report by the Alien Property Custodian of all Proceedings Had by Him under the Trading with the Enemy Act during the Calendar Year of 1918 And the close of business on February 15, 1919. It’s not exactly a page turner but if you skim the index for ideas of interest - like for me personally it is the patents they grabbed and the people they jailed.. Reading primary sources - instead of historian interpretations is really fun - and enlightening. The link to the report and lots of other related articles are in the Podcast notes. Links: Trading with the enemy overview: http://today-in-wwi.tumblr.com/post/166411955808/trading-with-the-enemy-act Office of the Alien Property Custodian overview https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Office_of_Alien_Property_Custodian The spoils of war at home https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/us-confiscated-half-billion-dollars-private-property-during-wwi-180952144/ Annual Report of the Alien Property Custodian: https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=hvd.32044090082678;view=1up;seq=7 Trading with the Enemy Act: https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=nnc2.ark:/13960/t4cn8qf7s;view=1up;seq=45 Great War Project OK let’s move from the business of war - interesting - but really - let’s get into something a little hotter, and steamier and maybe more exciting! From the Great War Project Blog - we are joined by Mike shuster, former NPR correspondent and curator for the Great War project. Mike’s post this week is about espionage agent H-21, better known at Mata Hari! Tell us the story Mike! [Mike Shuster] Thank you Mike. That was Mike Shuster from the Great War Project blog. LINK: http://greatwarproject.org/2017/10/14/a-spy-faces-the-firing-squad/ War in the Sky Today for our War in The sky segment, we are leafing through a current issue of the Aviation and Aeronautical engineering magazine. Now it’s not the lead articles that draws attention - of course it sets the mood of the industry with excited talk of the $640,000,0000 congressional appropriation aimed at aircraft manufacturing. Instead, we are exploring the back end of the magazine where the ads are. There is great stuff here! Like the ⅓ page ad from the Kyle Smith Aircraft company from Wheeling West Virginia. They’ll sell you a two seater biplane - with a land model for $3,000 and for an extra $100 - pontoons for water. Billy Brock and Al Boshek from the Flint Aircraft Company in Michigan will teach you to fly so you can qualify for military examinations as a pilot or as a mechanic. Or the Foxboro Company of Massachusetts who offers a fine looking air speed indicator - noting in their sales pitch: Quote: accurately indicates the relative wind pressure, the force that holds the plane in the air. Hey -- you really gonna want one of those!! Then I stumble across a genuine mystery - The innovative and visionary Buck Aircraft and Munitions Company of Denver Colorado who places a ¼ page - editorial style ad - you know one of those that today has to have a little “advertising” flag on it so you don’t think it is part of the magazine editorial. The headline reads: The Automatic Aerial Torpedo The story reads: Built on the Buck Aerial Torpedo patent - the aircraft is equipped with a 50 HP motor and designed to carry explosives in the air to any distance up to thirty miles. A time controlled release drops the torpedo at any given distance. The entire equipment is automatic and is launched from a compressed air catapult mounted on a motor truck, the engine of which furnishes the air for the catapult. The torpedo can be fired at any range and at any degree of the compass. This almost sounds like a flying torpedo drone - well that doesn’t make sense for 1917 --- So of course I chase down the patent they mention. Sure enough… US Patent # 1,388,932 for an aerial torpedo was filed by Hugo Centerwall of Brooklyn New York on July 27, 1916 and here is the kicker. The patent talks about an electric automated guidance steering mechanism with a smart site. Well, I could have spent the rest of the night chasing this down both I, and this segment have run out of time!... So we have to drop the mystery here about the Buck Aircraft and Munitions company of Denver Colorado -- with their catapult launched, maybe unmanned!? guided aerial missile torpedo from 1916--- which happens to pop up in an aerospace engineering magazine 100 years ago in the great war in the sky. There are links in the podcast notes to the ad and to the patent. If any of our intrepid listeners learn more about these guys and their aerial torpedo - please get in touch with us through the contact link at ww1cc.org. There’s a fascinating story here somewhere! Link: Ad https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=coo.31924060892019;view=1up;seq=436 Patent https://docs.google.com/viewer?url=patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/pdfs/US1388932.pdf [SOUND EFFECT] The Great War Channel Well - we love that you listen to us - but If you’d like to watch some videos about WW1, go see our friends at the Great War Channel on Youtube - Here is Indy Neidell the shows host: “ Hello WW1 Centennial News Listeners - This is Indy Neidell, host of the Great War Channel on Youtube. American soldiers are dying in combat and the Bolsheviks seize control in Russia as autumn sets in across Europe. Join us for a new episode of The Great War every Thursday by subscribing to our Youtube channel and following us on Facebook. “ New episodes for this week include: Operation Albion -Passchendaele drowns in mud The edge of the abyss - mountain warfare on the italian front Brazil in WW1 - The South American Ally Follow the link in the podcast notes or search for “the great war” on youtube. Link: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheGreatWar World War One NOW [SOUND EFFECT] We have moved forward in time to the present… Welcome to WW1 Centennial News NOW - This part of the program is not about history but how the centennial of the War that changed the world is being commemorated today. Education [Sound Effect] Education Symposia This week we are leading off with our Education section -- You know--- Bringing the lessons of WWI into the classroom is one of the Commission’s prime goals - and with the help of a generous $50,000 grant from the American Legion - we are kicking off a six city teaching tour called “Teaching Literacy Through History”. The program is being produced by the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History, the nation’s leading American history organization dedicated to K-12 education. This exciting project is kicking off this month --- and with us today --- to tell us more about it is Tim Bailey, Director of Education at the Gilder Lehrman Institute. Welcome Tim! [exchange greetings] Tim - let’s start with the Gilder Lehrman Institute - can you tell us a bit more about it? [Now about the WWI program - what cities are you going to?] [If I am a teacher, what will my experience be… and what will I walk away with? ] [Tim - As the folks that educate the educators - do you have a particular success story that comes to mind?] [I know this is going to be popular with the teachers - what do they need to do to qualify and how do they sign up?] Tim - thank you. Hopefully we can find additional funding to take this wonderful program to more cities and teachers around the country - We look forward to having you come back to tell us how the tour went. [exchange closing] That was Tim Bailey, Director of Education from the Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History. We have links about the program and where to sign up in the podcast notes. link: http://ww1cc.org/events http://wwiamerica.org/index.php https://www.gilderlehrman.org/ http://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/communicate/press-media/wwi-centennial-news/3051-wwi-teaching-literacy-through-history-educator-development-sessions-in-six-cities-for-2017-18.html Education Newsletter And we have more news for teaching WWI - The newest education newsletter from the WW1 Centennial Commission and the National WW1 Museum and Memorial just came out! Issue #9 is “Americans All!” focuses on the diversity of those who served and participated in the war that changed the world. This issue includes resources for teaching about Puerto Rican Laborers, the Harlem Hellfighters, Native Americans in the Red Cross, America’s Foreign born doughboys -- and how World War 1 sparked the gay rights movement. Go to our new education website at ww1cc.org/edu all lower case where you can link to and sign up for the education newsletters and connect with the commission education program - or follow the link in the podcast notes. Link: ww1cc.org/edu [SOUND EFFECT] Speaking WW1 And now for our feature “Speaking World War 1 - Where we explore today’s words & phrases that are rooted in the war --- “ALRIGHT MAGGOT - What are you doing sitting on sorry butt. Get on your feet before I drag you up by the Short Hairs!” Thank you Gunny - it’s good to have you back on the show. What was Gunny actually saying? Is Short hairs - a vulgar phrase referring to the “nether regions”? Well - Actually not! It refers to an area of the body quite a bit north... The short hairs in question are those little hairs on the back of the neck. A phrase that seems to have first been used in the military with examples from the Brits dating back to the 1890’s with colonial occupation in india. They were referred to in Rudyard Kilplings “Indian Tales”. The phrase, popularized and spread during the first world war, but then took a turn SOUTH during the second world war, becoming “the short and curlies” and assuming its more vulgar variation. By the short hairs-- not how you want to be caught!-- and this week’s phrase for speaking WW1. See the podcast notes to learn more! link: https://www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/by-the-short-hairs.html https://books.google.com/books?id=IAjyQdFwh4UC&pg=PA677&lpg=PA677&dq=by+the+short+hairs+ww1&source=bl&ots=_3JEgKpS5H&sig=0RJ46BiAmpi6KsD9QG2cQ64iChU&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj-sajU__fWAhWLPCYKHbgsCiMQ6AEIZDAO#v=onepage&q=by%20the%20short%20hairs&f=false 100 Cities/100 Memorials [SOUND EFFECT] Welcome to our 100 Cities / 100 Memorials segment about our $200,000 matching grant challenge to rescue and focus on our local WWI memorials. Last month, we announced the first 50 “WWI Centennial Memorials”. Now we are full tilt into ROUND 2 - which includes all the projects that have not received a grant from round 1 and all the new projects that are joining the program. Round 2 applications can be submitted until January 15th, 2018. Then the selection committee goes back into their VERY difficult process of selecting the second 50 awardees from the submissions. Without exception - every project submitted is amazing - Actually you already know that - You have been hearing project profiles on the podcast for months now - and not all of the projects you learned about were among the first 50 awardees! But before we jump into this wee…

Full show notes at the publisher

Show notes

Highlights America’s youth goes to war |@01:20 Russia stalls - Germany attacks -Mike Shuster |@08:30 Building the DH-4 bomber |@11:55 WW1 Commemoration flags for Veterans Day |@15:15 DHS and WW1 - Allison Finkelstein and Zack Wilske |@16:05 “World War 100” and “1917: America Joins The Fight” symposia |@23:30 Speaking WW1 - Cushie! |@25:40 100C/100M in Trafford, PA - Andrew Capets |@27:00 WW1CC.org/edu goes live |@32:20 The Lost Sketchbooks - Rex Passion |@33:10 Roll of Honor Foundation - Jerry Michaud |@39:40 WWrite Blog: “God Armeth the Patriot” |@46:00----more---- Opening Welcome to World War 1 centennial News - It’s about WW1 THEN - what was happening 100 years ago this week - and it’s about WW1 NOW - news and updates about the centennial and the commemoration. Today is October 11th, 2017 and our guests this week are: Mike Shuster from the great war project blog, Allison S. Finkelstein (STEEN) and Zack Wilske from the USCIS History Office and Library Andrew Capets from the 100 Cities / 100 Memorials project in Trafford, Pennsylvania Rex Passion, author of the WW1 book and now website - The Lost Sketchbooks And Jerry Michaud Executive Director of the Roll of Honor Foundation WW1 Centennial News is brought to you by the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission and the Pritzker Military Museum and Library. I’m Theo Mayer - the Chief Technologist for the Commission and your host. Welcome to the show. Our theme this week is going to focus on the youth of America - how young people were folded into the war effort THEN - 100 years ago and we also want to tell you more about our current education initiatives about ‘The War That Changed The World” today in our WW1 Centennial News NOW section. In an article "WWI: Support from the home front” written by Richard Zuber - a North Carolinian historian, Zuber helps to frame the issue: When most people hear the word war they think of soldiers and sailors, guns and battles, death and destruction. Those are all part of war, but historians also study everything and everyone affected by conflicts. This is especially true of what military historians call a “total war”. In discussing how women and even the elderly aided in the total war effort in 1917, Zuber notes: Children worked just as hard as the adults and contributed a great deal. Boy Scouts participated in patriotic rallies and the Liberty Loan drives. The Woodcraft Girls distributed food pledge cards and enrolled as “Potatriots” entering a competition for growing the largest potato crop. The Camp Fire Girls baby-sat for women working in war plants and helped the Red Cross roll bandages and make dressings for wounds. Girl Scouts were involved in all those activities and sold war bonds, made scrapbooks for hospitals, and wrapped Christmas packages for soldiers. With that as a setup, let’s jump into the wayback machine to see what was happening for America’s youth and education 100 years ago this week. World War One THEN 100 Year Ago This Week [MUSIC TRANSITION] Welcome to 1917 It’s the second week of October and the Wilson administration - offers several articles this week in it’s Official Bulletin - about education and teaching patriotism to the youth of America. [SOUND EFFECT] Dateline October 9, 1917 Headline: Influence of the War on Teaching History! The article tries to frame America’s entry into the war in terms that teachers might impart. In the article - which is speaking to the teachers - the US Bureau of Educations states: The Nation has finally been drawn into the great War - a war that demands for its successful prosecution not only efficient and courageous service in the Army and Navy but also the loyal cooperation of millions of men and women who are not enrolled in the fighting forces nor directly responsible for the civil administration on which these forces depend. Interestingly - the article goes on the frame the fight as being between free and democratic societies and hereditary monarchies. Quote: We have as clear an interest in international law as individuals have in the laws of society. That was said long before the steam ship, the submarine. and the wireless had broken down our ‘splendid isolation.” No one can take an intelligent part in a great conflict for the safety of democracy -- unless they are really interested in -- and know something about -- nations other than their own—about the difference between a republican government like our own or that of France or the scarcely less democratic constitution of Great Britain on the one side, and, in sharp contrast to all of these, a strongly monarchical government like that of the German Empire, in which the most important measures affecting the national welfare may be practically determined by a single hereditary sovereign or a small group of such sovereigns. In the article there is no reference to the growing socialism in europe and Russia, nor of the powerful dictatorships that would be so prominent in the next generation. [SOUND EFFECT] Dateline Oct 13, 1917 Headline: Lesson leaflets on patriotism intended for permanent course in public schools The story reads The plan for Educational Administrators Is to Educate a Rising Generation How to Conduct the Business of Living A Wide Variety of Topics Treated in Pamphlets Prepared to Suit Pupils of the Various Grades Will Be Supplied. The article goes on to read In order to bring the lessons of patriotism and of national and international relations within the comprehension of children, the instruction in conservation which is to be given in American schools this year at the insistence of President Wilson will begin with and emphasize home and local problems. A series of lesson leaflets will be issued monthly by the Food Administration and the Bureau of Education throughout the present school year. The plan is to educate a rising generation that will know better than its predecessors how to conduct the business of living. Now - This “theme” for lessons about the “business of living” comes up a number of times, but is not elaborated on - leaving one to wonder what the Wilson Administration meant. However a panoply of headlines do reveal a theme that the government is thinking about the Nations youth and their role in the war effort. Here is a whole bunch of them: On October 2nd: “American school children to be given lessons in community and natural life” in democracy” requested by president” On October 6th: “Leaflets as guides to school teachers sent by us commissions to teach children democracy's meaning” On October 10th: Work of american boy scouts commended in promoting sale of liberty loan bonds And in earlier months: “President appeals to school children of nation to enroll in red cross service” “War topics at high school commencements recommended by commissioner claxton” may 28 “School Bells to ring out call for liberty loan subscriptions” june11 “Schools with shopwork depts urged to continue during summer to train skilled mechanics and high grade helpers” july 27 And finally “Program of school activity during the war suggested to educational institutions” july 7 So as Richard Zuber points out at the top of the section - WW1 is very much a part of daily life in America - for the men called to service, for the mothers, wives and daughters and even for the children of the nation. It is not some remote and distant foreign policy, everyone is in the fight - in some way - the entire citizenry - and non-citizens alike - as we will discuss a bit later in the show. [SOUND EFFECT] Great War Project From the Great War Project Blog - we are joined by Mike shuster, former NPR correspondent and curator for the Great War project. Mike is going to tell us about the collapsing eastern front as Russia stalls and Germany develops a new naval and Storm Trooper prowess in their baltic sea offensive. Welcome Mike! [Mike Shuster] Thank you Mike. That was Mike Shuster from the Great War Project blog. LINK: http://greatwarproject.org/2017/10/09/russia-collapsing-on-land-and-sea/ [SOUND EFFECT] War in the Sky This week in the Great War in the sky, America begins to mass produce a two seater bomber! Although through all of WWI, America never produced or or fielded a single American fighter plane, we did manufacture a bunch of them - and this week 100 years ago, the US Army Air Service put in an order for thousands of British designed DeHavilland DH-4 planes. The version they ordered were to be delivered with the US made American Liberty 12 cylinder engine - rather than the Rolls Royce engine of the British version. It was slow going at first, but in the end, the Dayton Wright company delivered over 3,100 of them, General Motors 1,600 of them and Standard Aircraft corporation another 160. And it all started 100 years ago this week in the war in the sky. You can follow the War in The sky by checking with our comprehensive timeline, curated by former fighter pilot, air force general and author RG head. Go to ww1cc.org/warinthesky - all lower case or follow the links in the podcast notes. Link: http://www.worldwar1centennial.org/1181-timeline-of-wwi-aviation-history-demo.htm#1917 [SOUND EFFECT] The Great War Channel To watch videos about WW1, we recommend our friend at the Great War Channel on Youtube - They offer well over 400 episodes about WW1 and from a more European perspective. New episodes for this week include: Sabotage in the Desert Then - Indy Nydel takes viewers’ questions in a “Out of the Trenches” segment which is always popular with their regular viewers - this time: Electricity, the Wright Brothers and Hip Firing MGs -- And finally an episode called Evolution of British Battle Tanks in WW1 Follow the link in the podcast notes or search for “the great war” on youtube. Link: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheGreatWar World War One NOW [SOUND EFFECT] We have moved forward in time to the present… Welcome to WW1 Centennial News NOW - This part of the program is not about history but how the centennial of the War that changed the world is being commemorated today. Commission News In this week’s in Commission news, a follow up on the US Mint’s unveiling of the 2018 WWI Centennial Silver Dollar. The unveiling happened on October 9 and was hosted by the Acting Secretary of the U.S. Army, Ryan McCarthy, during A-USA meeting in Washington DC also known as the National Meeting of the Association of the U.S. Army. This was followed up on October 10 with the unveiling of the designs for five silver medals that will be issued in conjunction with the Centennial Silver Dollar. Each medal, composed of 90 percent silver, pays homage to branches of the U.S. Armed Forces that were active in World War I. We set up a website at ww1cc.org/coin where you’ll find press releases with detail information, the presentations and bios of the speakers, lots of links and images. The coins and medals will be available in early 1918. Follow the links in the podcast notes for more information. Link:https://www.ww1cc.org/Coin https://www.usmint.gov/news/press-releases/united-states-mint-unveils-winning-designs-to-be-featured-on-world-war-i-centennial-silver-dollar https://www.usmint.gov/coins/coin-medal-programs/commemorative-coins/world-war-i-centennial http://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/communicate/press-media/wwi-centennial-news/3218-us-mint-unveils-design-for-new-congressionally-authorized-coin-honoring-america-s-veterans-of-world-war-i.html [SOUND EFFECT] Update for #CountDownToVeteransDay In an update for #CountDownToVeteransDay we wanted to let you know about the official WW1 Centennial commemoration flags that honor the memory of our WWI doughboys. There is a wonderful full-size 3 foot by 5 foot flag and also small 12” by 8” ground stake flag designed to make an ideal marker for veteran resting places. Both feature the centennial graphics and the doughboy icon. The flags are manufactured out of high quality nylon materials, and of course made in the USA - They are available exclusively at the WWI Centennial Commission’s Official Merchandise shop which you will find under the Commemorate menu or by following the link in the podcast notes. But hurry - don’t wait - supplies are limited and orders are shipped in 7-10 days. Rush orders carry a 20% surcharge. link:https://shop.worldwar1centennial.org/merchandise-gifts-awards/memorial-flag-world-war-1-one https://shop.worldwar1centennial.org/merchandise-gifts-awards/flag https://shop.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php [SOUND EFFECT] US Citizenship and Immigration Services Many individual government agencies are commemorating the first world war and today we’d like to highlight the US Citizenship and Immigration Services. Joining us are Allison Finkelstein FinkelSTEEN and Zack Wilske, Historians at the USCIS History Office and Library. Welcome to both of you! [exchange greetings] [Let’s start with you Zack - in 1914 how was this area of the government organized? ] [Allison - Stories abound - about immigrants - not even citizens yet that came to America and found themselves going “back over there” to fight in the countries they immigrated from - like Italy - Are there any specific stories like that come to mind?] [So to both of you - the USCIS has a new web page about the WWI Centennial - What will we find there and how about some of your other WWI Centennial activities ] [Thank you both so much for being here!] That was Allison Finkelstein and Zack Wilske, Historians at the USCIS History Office and Library. Learn more about the USCIS and WW1 by following the links in the podcast notes. link:https://www.uscis.gov/history-and-genealogy/our-history/agency-history/mass-immigration-and-wwi https://www.uscis.gov/history-and-genealogy/our-history/world-war-i Activities and Events [Sound Effect] World War 100 Symposium Combining events and our Updates from the States - we are going to the Badger state - Wisconsin! Where they are holding The World War 100 Symposium at the University of Wisconsin on the Madison campus October 27th. The symposium was put together by the University and the Wisconsin World War One Centennial Committee - It is a great example of how the State WWI centennial Commissions are nurturing and support WW1 Commemorative events! The World War 100 Symposium will premiere the Documentary film “Dawn of the Red Arrow” which follows the Wisconsin National Guard in 1917 when the iconic 32nd "Red Arrow" Division was born and earned its place in history on the battlefields of France in World War I. The program is filled with great events, experts, subjects and speakers including including participation by Sir Hugh Strachan - considered by many as the pre-eminent historian on WWI and who joined us on here on the podcast In Episode #32. Sir Hugh Strachan in Kansas Then On Nov. 2nd, Sir Hugh will be speaking at the National World War One Museum and Memorial in Kansas City at a free evening public event in advance of the Museum’s second international symposium on WWI “1917: America Joins the Fight” featuring renowned scholars from across the world. Follow the links in the podcast notes for information and access to these symposia and other great WWI commemoration events happening around the country. As a reminder - we invite YOU to add your own event to the National U.S. WW1 Centennial Events Register. Go to ww1cc.org/events, click the big red button and post your WW1 commemoration event for all to discover. And as we mentioned last week - we just added a new category for Social Media Events - so if you are planning a Facebook Live, livestream, WW1 Hackathon or other online WW1 commemoration event - get it posted and let our community of interest know! link: http://ww1cc.org/events https://www.eventbrite.com/e/world-war-100-a-centennial-symposium-tickets-35793410053 http://www.worldwar1centennial.org/index.php/commemorate/event-map-system/eventdetail/47362/world-war-100-symposium.html https://www.theworldwar.org/learn/2017-symposium https://www.theworldwar.org/l…

Full show notes at the publisher

Show notes

Full show notes at the publisher

Show notes

Highlights: Ask Alexa: “Play W W 1 Centennial News Podcast” |@ 01:00 Second Liberty Bond drive launches |@ 02:00 Spy ring in Palestine - Mike Shuster |@ 06:25 War In the Sky - RiesenFlugzeug - behemoths of the sky |@ 10:10 Great War Alliance Forum |@ 13:05 Follow up on Cardines Field rededication |@ 13:55 Holding talks about WWI in communities - Richard Rubin |@ 15:15 Speaking WWI - This week: “Booby Trap” |@ 21:30 100C/100M in Ridgewood, NJ - Chris Stout |@ 23:10 “Rendezvous With Death” - David Hanna |@ 28:30 Pershing/Lafayette statues rededicated in Versaille |@ 34:40 Trek through the Dolomites - WWrtie Blog w Shannon Huffman Polson |@ 36:00 The Buzz on #CountdownToVeteransDay -Katherine Akey |@ 36:55----more---- Opening Welcome to World War 1 centennial News - It’s about WW1 THEN - what was happening 100 years ago this week - and it’s about WW1 NOW - news and updates about the centennial and the commemoration. Today is October 4th, 2017 and our guests this week are: Mike Shuster from the great war project blog, Richard Rubin, author of The Last of the Doughboys and Back Over There Chris Stout from the 100 Cities / 100 Memorials project in Ridgewood, New Jersey And David Hanna, author of the WW1 book and now website - Rendezvous with Death WW1 Centennial News is brought to you by the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission and the Pritzker Military Museum and Library. I’m Theo Mayer - the Chief Technologist for the Commission and your host. Welcome to the show. Preface Before we get going today I wanted to let you know, especially all of you who own Amazon Echo or other Alexa enabled device, Alexa has a new skill. If you say “Alexa, play the “W” “W” one centennial news podcast” she will dutifully find the most current episode on the internet and play it for you. We are excited because that opens up WW1 Centennial News to 20 million new player and all you have to do is ask! Welcome to the future - but right now - let’s jump into our wayback machine and head 100 years into the past! World War One THEN 100 Year Ago This Week [MUSIC TRANSITION] Yes, we’ve gone back in time 100 years to explore the war that changed the world! And It’s the first week of October 1917. What’s on the US government’s mind this week? Raising money to pay for the war! [SOUND EFFECT] Dateline October 1st 1917 Headline: Secretary of the treasury - McAdoo begins Second Liberty Loan Drive... Five Billion Dollars from Ten Million Subscribers fixed as goal! So In 1917, financing a war with deficit spending is not at all the plan. The Wilson administration is determined to raise the money needed for this immense effort, and in part, by issuing of government backed war bonds. This is innovative… and it is interesting to note, that the same 1917 law that authorizes the war bonds will continue to be used to sell US treasury bonds 100 years later! Back in June (during our episode 24), we reported on the Wilson administration touting the first liberty loan drive was an unprecedented and huge success. In fact, they raised $2 billion dollars from five and one half million people! A century later that $2 billion is the equivalent of 38 billion dollars. So - not too bad! This Second Liberty Bond drive is targeting twice as much revenue from two times as many subscribers. Though there is a lot of controversy about how successful the liberty bond program is, with the government claiming HUGE success and other press of the time criticizing lackluster enthusiasm and talking about the discounting of the bonds, anyone who has ever undertaken to raise substantial amounts of money KNOWS, it’s no cake walk! Focusing on participation by the general public as small investors -- Secretary Mcadoo reaches out to the administration’s secret weapon --- their powerhouse of propaganda, their empresario of promo, their master of emotion, their superman of spin - George Creel’s Committee on Public Information! This is the same outfit that publishes the daily Official Bulletin that we use here on the podcast every week to tell you the story of WW1, and whose pages we re-publish daily on the centennial anniversary of their original publication at ww1cc.org/bulletin. Anyway, Creel is probably America’s first marketing genius. He shows up as the man behind the curtain all over the place during this period... And with outrageous but brilliant ideas - like in late May -- as the first Liberty loan drive wraps up, he gets all churches, schools and city halls around the country to ring their bells every night in a countdown to the end of the first drive! Talk about taking your promotion to the grassroots. Last week we reported on the massive national billboard campaign for “Food will win the war” including using electric lights to light up the billboards at night. We have not verified that Creel was the man behind this endeavor, but it has his style written all over it. He is also a multi-media and social media genius… and In 1917 that means the flaming hot new media of the MOVIES and the Phonograph. Before the 4th liberty bond sale is over, and there will be 4 of them - Creel will have recruited the biggest stars of the day including Al jolson, Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks and his premiere celebrity pitch man - Charlie Chaplin Creel doesn’t just go big, he also goes wide. George puts together a citizen army of 70,000 called “the 4 minute men”. He arms them with 4 minutes speeches - And in this case - on why buying Bonds is the key to Liberty and Freedom for Americans and why it is every citizens patriotic duty to participate He sends this army into every movie theater in the nation, arranging for them to make their presentation just before the features film. And so McAdoo launches his second liberty loan campaign 100 years ago this week! [SOUND EFFECT] Great War Project Now we are joined by Mike shuster, former NPR correspondent and curator for the Great War Project blog, to walk us through his fascinating post - A Ring of Spies in Palestine… all about a Jewish Spy ring assisting the british against the turks --- that gets busted by the turkish Secret Police... Welcome Mike! [Mike Shuster] Thank you Mike. That was Mike Shuster from the Great War Project blog. LINK: http://greatwarproject.org/2017/10/01/ring-of-spies-in-palestine/ War in the Sky This week in the Great War in the sky, there are two stories worth noting. The first involves a british Battle cruiser - The HMS Repulse. At the time, she is touted to be the fastest battle ship of the fleet. On October 1st 1917, having built a strange - slightly up-angled - platform on top of the turret of one of the big 15-inch guns - her captain faces the Repulse into the wind --. Sitting atop the platform, Royal Naval Air Service Commander F.J. Rutland fires up the engine on his Sopwith Pup fighter plane. He cranks the RPM, higher, higher and higher still as the battle cruiser pushes into the wind - Finally he lets loose the brakes and his planes takes to the air making it the first fighter plane ever launched from such a ship! He, of course, does NOT attempt a landing on same! And we have a link in the podcast notes showing you a picture of the rig they used. Also this week, on October 5th, after a long period of unfavorable weather, the Germans finally send planes to the UK for a night raid on London. Nineteen Gotha bombers and two Reisenflugzeug bombers come at the brits in several waves causing quite a bit of damage but inflicting no casualties. Now… Reisenflugzeug literally means GIANT AIRPLANE in German… and they were. These multi-engine behemoths had wingspans of 100 feet or more and seemed more like an exercise in the art of the possible instead of the art of war. This was to be the last German raid against the UK until January of 1918 - the Gotha bombers and two of these behemoth flying machines let loose their payloads over the UK during the war in the sky - 100 years ago this week. We also have a link to a picture of a Reisenflugzeug in the podcast notes. Link: http://media.iwm.org.uk/ciim5/331/146/mid_000000.jpg https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d3/Riesenflugzeug_Siemens_Schuckert_VIII_1918.jpg/1200px-Riesenflugzeug_Siemens_Schuckert_VIII_1918.jpg [SOUND EFFECT] The Great War Channel If you’d like to watch some videos about WW1, visit our friend at the Great War Channel on Youtube - They have well over 400 episodes about WW1 and from a more European perspective. New episodes for this week include: The Battle of Polygon Wood Recap of Our Trip to Italy and Slovenia And Denmark in WW1 Follow the link in the podcast notes or search for “the great war” on youtube. Link: https://www.youtube.com/user/TheGreatWar World War One NOW [SOUND EFFECT] We have moved forward in time to the present… Welcome to WW1 Centennial News NOW - This part of the program is not about history but how the centennial of the War that changed the world is being commemorated today. Commission News This week in Commission news, we highlight a panel discussion about the Origins of the Trilateral Alliance - The alliance between Britain, America and France during World War One, its difficult birth, and its enduring impact after the war. The event was part of the Great War Alliance Forum at the Meridian International Center, a premier nonprofit global leadership organization headquartered in Washington DC Our own Commissioner Monique Seefried was part of the team that explored the history of the trilateral alliance; societal changes and the future of global conflict. You can read more about the event and watch the videos of this insightful discussion by following the link in the podcast notes. Link:https://www.meridian.org/project/the-great-war-alliance-forum/ [Sound Effect] Activities and Events Cardines Field Next, in our Activities and Events Section, we wanted to follow up on our report about the Rededication of Cardines Baseball Field which took place on September 29th, US Centennial Commissioner Jack Monahan attended the event in Rhode island, that included an Army-Navy baseball game played by students from the U.S. Naval War College dressed in period baseball uniforms. Thanks to Associated Press reporter Jennifer McDermott from Rhode Island, the story about this unique and fun WW1 commemoration event got picked up by newspapers, blogs and posts all around the country This includes the New York Times, the Washington Post and local papers in Washington State, North Carolina, Texas, Oklahoma and more. Check out the articles from across the country in the podcast notes. We invite YOU to add your own event to the National U.S. WW1 Centennial Events Register. Go to ww1cc.org/events, click the big red button and post your WW1 commemoration event for all to discover. We just added a new category this week for Social Media Events - so if you are planning a Facebook Live, livestream, WW1 Hackathon or other online WW1 commemoration event - get it posted and let our community of interest know! links: http://ww1cc.org/events https://www.nytimes.com/aponline/2017/09/29/us/ap-us-wwi-baseball-game.html https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/early-lead/wp/2017/09/28/army-soldiers-and-navy-sailors-to-recreate-world-war-i-era-baseball-game/?utm_term=.aa623b76c64e http://www.thenewportbuzz.com/batter-up-naval-war-college-to-host-wwi-baseball-at-cardines-field-this-friday/12817 http://www.thenewstribune.com/sports/article175660656.html http://www.newsobserver.com/sports/article175660656.html http://www.houstonchronicle.com/news/article/Sailors-and-soldiers-to-recreate-World-War-I-12240885.php http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/sports/article_d3a6e966-fb51-5b87-8718-dc03ab061fae.html http://newsok.com/sailors-and-soldiers-to-recreate-world-war-i-baseball-game/article/feed/1435175 https://www.theet.com/web_exclusive/us/sailors-and-soldiers-recreate-world-war-i-baseball-game/article_3da2b656-0e29-5316-845e-0fa637e2e5d2.html http://www.phillytrib.com/news/state_and_region/sailors-and-soldiers-recreate-world-war-i-baseball-game/article_2bc1387a-441a-5107-a1b6-00254a8585a9.html [SOUND EFFECT] Richard Rubin Talks To Towns We are joined by our good friend Richard Rubin - author of the WWI books, The Last of the Doughboys and Back Over There. Richard is joining us today to talk to us about his experiences during speaking engagements across the country about World War One. Welcome, Richard! [exchange greetings] [So Richard, you have gone around the country to speak about your books, the research that went into them and World War 1 at large - tell us a bit about these events?] [Richard, you mentioned that people often come with artifacts, photos, mementos, and family histories. Why do you think people are so eager to share these with you? ] [-Is there one story or artifact that someone brought in that stands out in your mind?] [-If somebody wants to have hold one of these events, how do they get a hold of you?] Richard Rubin - Thank you very much for coming on! That was author Richard Rubin, we have links in the podcast notes to Richard’s website which is also a great way to contact him. link:https://www.richardrubinonline.com/ [SOUND EFFECT] Speaking WW1 And now for our feature “Speaking World War 1 - Where we explore today’s words & phrases that are rooted in the war --- First some background - In spanish, a bobo is a fool, a clown, or someone who is easily cheated" … in the late 1800’s the term was anglicised into “booby” for terms like Booby Prize - and Booby Trap… then, it signified a prank like a book, or water put atop a door left ajar - so when someone walked in - Sploosh! And a great big guffaw! In WWI the word ‘Booby Trap” this week’s speaking WW1 word - took on a whole new sinister meaning! The English journalist Sir Philip Gibbs wrote in his war memoir From Bapaume to Passchendaele: “the enemy left … slow-working fuses and ‘booby-traps’ to blow a man to bits or blind him for life if he touched a harmless looking stick or opened the lid of a box, or stumbled over an old boot.” So troops picked up the phrase to describe a myriad of explosive devices deliberately disguised as a harmless objects often left behind in territory that exchanged hands, hidden in doorways, set to go off when a curious soldier opened the lid to a box or rifled through abandoned equipment. In modern times with this tactic becoming a major tool in asymmetric warfare the term was updated to IED - Improvised Explosive Device. Booby-trap --- a fool’s trap - one more word that was altered forever during the War that Changed the World. See the podcast notes to learn more! link: https://www.theguardian.com/education/2014/jun/28/first-world-war-one-soldiers-tommies-common-language-trenches http://joellambert.com/123/history-booby-traps/ [SOUND EFFECT] 100 Cities/100 Memorials Chris Stout - Ridgewood, NJ Next, we are going to profile another 100 Cities / 100 Memorials project. That is our $200,000 matching grant giveaway to rescue ailing WW1 memorials. Last week, we profiled a project from Swanton Ohio. This week, we head to Ridgewood, NJ. Joining us is Chris Stout, a member of Ridgewood’s American Legion Post 53 and a self-appointed amateur local historian. Welcome, Chris! [exchange greetings] [Chris.. The saying is “a man is not dead until he is forgotten” and that frames your 100 Cities / 100 Memorials project. Tell us about it.] [What was your reaction when you learned about being one of the awardees for a Matching Grant by the program?] [Can you tell us about the rededication that took place on Memorial day?] [Chris - What distinguishes your project - for me - is that it is a fairly small project that is righting a large issue… Congratulations to you and your whole post!] Thank you so much for being here with us today! That was Chris Stout, member of American Legion Post 53, local historian and resident of Ridgewood, New Jersey. We will continue to profile the submitting teams and their unique and amazing projects on the show over the coming months. Learn more…

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