Eight months after the United States enters World War I on behalf of the Allies, President Woodrow Wilson announces the nationalization of a large majority of the country’s railroads under the Federal Possession and Control Act. By the end of 1917, it seemed that the existing railroad system was not up to the task of supporting the war effort and Wilson decided on nationalization. Two days after his announcement, the United States Railroad Administration (USRA) seized control. Read more about why and how the railroads came under Federal control, and how they emerged as private entities again after the war.

The gruesome carnage of the War that Changed the World is a dark memory that a century later civilization is still trying to comprehend, let alone understand. But out of that darkness, one episode of light continues to fascinate: the 1914 Christmas Truce. Described by the Washington Post as "The Christmas Truce Miracle," it began when "a melody drifted over the darkness of No Man’s Land. First “O, Holy Night,” then “God Save the King.” German and British soldiers emerged from their trenches to share cigarettes, wine, and song, in a too-brief, and not-to-be-repeated interlude of peace and soldierly fellowship in the midst of the brutal killing that preceded and followed it.

This Washington Post article on the Christmas Truce describes how the National World War I Museum and Memorial in Kansas City has published an online gallery of hundreds of accounts of such Christmas truces — letters home from soldiers telling of the extraordinary events. Another essay discusses Why the Christmas Truce endures in historical memory so vividly. The light of the truce has even touched the virtual world of WWI, with the competitors in the wildly successful Great War-themed online game Battlefield 1 stirred to action by the "story so powerful that, even today, it still almost sounds like a myth."

The WW1 Centennial News Podcast is about WW1 THEN: 100 years ago this week, and it's about WW1 NOW: News and updates about the centennial and the commemoration.  

Available on our web site, iTunes, Google Play, and TuneIn.

Holiday Special

This Special episode is a 1-hr+ Holiday music compilation from the WWI era. It features a special homily from Rear Admiral Margaret Kibben - Chief of Navy Chaplains, with words of thanks and prayer from all of us here today - back to those who were serving in 1917, in recognition and appreciation for their service and their sacrifice in the War That Changed the World!

Christian Carion’s  Film, Joyeux Noël: A Place of Memory

Winter 1914. WWI’s first major battles have stagnated in the trenches. In an icy field in the North of France, French, Scots, and Germans spy on each other until Christmas Eve when the nostalgic song of bagpipes escapes from the underground while the sound of a Berlin tenor’s Lied rises and spreads in the night. Soon the two melodies harmonize, and the soldiers from all sides emerge from the trenches and meet each other in No Man’s Land. Strategic enemies become war brothers. Christian Carion, captures this battlefield miracle in his 2005 film,Joyeux Noël,now a WWI classic. Don't miss this moving interview with the famous French director!

Limited Edition Marine Devil Dog Statue - $175

Inspired by the WWI Marine Chauchat gunner, this 12” cold cast bronze collector statue is a tribute to those who fought in The Great War.

Imagine a scene somewhere in France late 1918. The term “Devil Dog” has its origins at Belleau Wood where a dispatch from the German front lines to headquarters described the fighting abilities of the Americans as fighting like “Teufel Hunden”- “Hounds from Hell.” The Marine gunner wears the AEF M1917 khaki drab uniform typically worn without collar insignia. His primary weapon is the French Chauchat (CSRG) machine gun, while a Colt .45 pistol serves as his sidearm. His backpack is lightly loaded for the assault and he carries extra 20 round magazines for the Chauchat in a French-made haversack. His gasmask, worn in the “ready” position, helmet and gear are all U.S. issue.

These finely sculpted limited edition statues are cast and finished one at a time - no two are truly alike. Extensive research and fine sculpting ensures that the over 200 hours of sculpting time, often spanning over two years, result in a statue that is historically and physically accurate as possible. Each limited edition statue is stamped with individual serial numbers and comes packaged in a high quality color presentation box. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of this item will help fund the national WWI Memorial to be built in Pershing Park in Washington, D.C., commemorating the valor and sacrifices of all U.S. WWI soldiers.

This and many other items are available as Official Merchandise of the United States World War One Centennial.