Cryptology was a huge part of the World War I effort, yet the story is one that is not widely known.  Lou Leto, of the National Cryptologic Museum, reached out to us the other day to talk about the activities that the Museum is planning for the World War I Centennial. These activities include some interesting new exhibits, and fascinating public programs. From the decoded Zimmermann Telegram to the original Choctaw Code Talkers, the Museum's WWI exhibits illustrate how secure communications were as essential to success on the battlefield in WWI as they are now.  Click here to read more about these new exhibits, and the stories behind them.

One hundred years after the United States entered World War One, the French Embassy seeks to shed light on this momentous occasion through a series of exhibitions, talks, concerts, and screenings beginning in New York City and continuing across the US throughout 2017.  Kicking off a major nationwide centennial commemoration this spring, the French Embassy has assembled a series of events in New York City as part of a yearlong program “How 1917 Changed the World”. Centennial activities will continue throughout the year from Boston to Chicago and Atlanta. Click here to read more about this national educational effort.

Dr. Noriko Kawamura is associate professor of history at Washington State University. Kawamura’s research focuses on the history of war, peace, and diplomacy in the Pacific World. She teaches the history of U.S. foreign relations, U.S.-East Asian relations, U.S. military history, and modern Japanese history. She is also the author of Emperor Hirohito and the Pacific War. She also co-edited Building New Pathways to Peace and Toward a Peaceable Future: Redefining Peace, Security, and Kyosei from a Multidisciplinary Perspective. We caught up with Dr. Noriko Kawamura, recently, and talked to her regarding her recent Pritzker Military Museum and Library presentation on Japan's role in WWI. Click here to read this perceptive interview.

Jed Dunham is a former student & athlete at Kansas State University. Returning to Manhattan, Kansas in 2014 to attend a lacrosse reunion, he paused as he entered the stadium where he had played a "thousand times" and took a photograph of the plaque which honors the 48 students from Kansas State who had died in the First World War.  From this unlikely genesis grew an interest in this WWI connection to KSU that led to a remarkable project which he called 48 Fallen / 48 Found. Jed's story is unique, and he gave us a rundown on his project, in his own words. Click here to read this article about lost history rediscovered.

WW1 Centennial News grew out of a weekly sync-call that kept everyone involved in the centennial run-up stay up-to-date on preparations, events and organizing.

This year, is has evolved into a public facing, weekly, fast paced look at WW1 THEN - what was happening 100 years ago this week, and WW1 NOW - Centennial commemorations around the world.

The 20-30 minutes weekly program is now also available as a video podcast on iTunes.

Check it out online or listen anytime on your mobile device by subscribing to the Podcast.

This week's WWrite Blog post features veteran Kayla Williams, Director of the Center for Women Veterans at the Department of Veterans Affairs, and author of the acclaimed memoir, "Love My Rifle More Than You." 

In her post, Williams discusses the pathbreaking military career of Loretta Perfectus Walsh in WWI. While she was not the not the first woman to fight on behalf of America, she was the first to officially enlist, as a woman, earning equal pay and benefits.

If you have a news item regarding WWI and writing, please contact: jennifer.orth-veillon@worldwar1centennial.org.

April 6th is just around the corner and so is your WW1 centennial commemoration event.

Let the world know what's going on with the official WW1 Centennial Commemoration flag.

There is still time. Order it TODAY!

This and many other official commemorative products are available at the official merchandise shop.