This database includes articles, lesson plans and primary sources from the National WWI Museum and Memorial and our partners around the world, presented in collaboration with the United States World War One Centennial Commission.
Do you have resources that you want to share or have questions? Contact us at education@theworldwar.org.
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Zeppelins - Majestic and Deadly Airships of WWICreator: The Great War YouTube ChannelBalloons were used in war as early as the American Civil War, but the invention of the dirigible, a steerable airship, opened up the possibilities of this new technology. The German Army and Navy initially used Zeppelins for reconnaissance, but soon deployed them on bombing runs against civilian and military targets. To learn more about the use of Zeppelins during World War I, check out this nine-minute video from the Great War YouTube Channel.Watch Online |
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WWI Aviation History TimelineA Chronology of World War I Aviation EventsCreator: United States World War One Centennial CommissionCreated by Brigadier General R. G. Head, USAF (Ret.), the WWI Aviation History Timeline hosted by the U.S. World War One Centennial Commission provides a wealth of information about aviation before and during the First World War. Including information from almost all combatant nations, this resource provide a deep dive into aviation history.View Online |
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The Two Lives of Eugene BullardAmerican Experience: The Great WarCreator: PBSEugene Bullard was one of many Americans who joined the Lafayette Escadrille, a French aerial squadron of mostly American volunteers; however, Bullard was the only African American. He served with distinction under the French flag, but was rejected from joining the American Air Service because of his race. This article written by Cori Brosnahan in conjunction with the PBS American Experience special The Great War explores the life of Eugene Bullard.Read Online |
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The History of the U.S. Air Service in World War ICreator: Mission Centenaire 14-18When the United States declared war on April 6, 1917 they were not prepared to fight and this included the relatively small air service. This English-language article written by Christoph Bergs with France's Mission Centenaire 14-18 explores how the U.S. Air Service started almost from scratch and became a contributor to the success of the American Expeditionary Forces.Read Online |
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6 Famous WWI Fighter AcesHistory StoriesCreator: HISTORY®To become an ace during World War I, a pilot had to shoot down five enemy planes. This article by Evan Andrews from HISTORY® explores six famous aces including the Red Baron and top American ace Eddie Rickenbacker.Read Online |
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Unmanned Drones Have Been Around Since World War IWorld War I: 100 Years LaterCreator: Smithsonian MagazineWhile drones may seem like a new phenomenon, the military began experimenting with unmanned aerial vehicles during World War I. This article by Jimmy Stamp from 2013 published in Smithsonian Magazine explores the first unmanned aerial prototype developed during the War: the "Kettering Bug."Read Online |
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Could you hack it in a World War One tank?BBC iWonderCreator: BBCExplore a British Mark I Tank with this online article written by historian William Philpott for BBC's iWonder guides. iWonder is an archived series of online articles from BBC, intended to provide "thought-provoking answers to fascinating questions sparked by BBC programmes, the news, anniversaries and world events." Each subject contains videos, infographics and articles, though video content is region-locked.View Online |
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Was the WWI U-boat a death trap?BBC iWonderCreator: BBCDelve into the world of WWI submarines with this online article by Matthew Seligmann for BBC's iWonder guides. iWonder is an archived series of online articles from BBC, intended to provide "thought-provoking answers to fascinating questions sparked by BBC programmes, the news, anniversaries and world events." Each subject contains videos, infographics and articles, though video content is region-locked.View Online |
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When Flyers FlewAnalyzing "The Flight of Flanders" PoemCreator: National WWI Museum and MemorialWhat was life like as an aviator in WWI? Why did flyers agree to take on such a dangerous job in the war? As middle school students review primary sources and analyze a poem written by a Royal Flying Corps pilot they’ll decide if flying was as glamorous as the media portrayed it to be.Download PDF |
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The Exotic Dancer Who Became WWI's Most Notorious SpyMata HariCreator: HISTORY®This online article by Evan Andrews for HISTORY® looks at the life and death of the infamous Mata Hari. The Dutch woman, born Margaretha Zelle, desired a life of adventure which led to an early marriage, divorce and time in the Dutch East Indies (Indonesia) before becoming a stage performer and self-described courtesan. While called "the greatest woman spy of the century," her actual espionage activities are unclear and sensationalized due to her persona and lifestyle. This article seeks to separate fact from fiction in Mata Hari's actions in World War I.Read Online |
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Home Before the Leaves Fall: The Great War 1914‑1918wwionline.orgCreator: Villanova UniversityCollaborative by design, Home Before the Leaves Fall is a multi-institutional project highlighting materials and resources on the Great War, with articles curated by individual scholars and experts guiding readers through the many threads that weave materials into a narrative tapestry; social media spotlighting newly digitized content, creative and educational use of materials; and news of other Great War commemorations.View Online |
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Russia Quits the WarWorld War: Choices and ConsequencesCreator: Facing History and OurselvesBy 1917, participation in World War I had resulted in disaster for the tsar's armies and government. The nation's casualties were much higher than those of any other country, and its economy was in shambles. Revolution soon followed, altering the course of the war. From Facing History and Ourselves, this article is part of a larger collection of readings that look into how WWI affected people's attitudes towards war and the value of human life.Read Online |
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WWI Maker ActivityTelephonesCreator: Virginia Cooperative Extension 4-HThe U.S. Army adopted the telephone as soon as it was invented, using it in the Spanish-American War. In 1917 General Pershing asked the War Department to recruit women to serve overseas as telephone operators to pass messages between the front lines and headquarters. In this maker activity from the Virginia Cooperative Extension 4-H, young students will explore the importance of telephones to the war and do a hands-on activity.Making a String Telephone - Handout (PDF), The History Behind it, Telephones (PDF), The Science Behind it, Telephones (PDF) |
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List of Mothers and Widows of American Soldiers, Sailors and Marines Entitled to Make a Pilgrimage to the War Cemeteries in EuropePilgrimage for the mothers and widows of soldiers, sailors, and marines of the American forcesCreator: Villanova UniversityA full digitization (364 images) of the 1929 Pilgrimage for the Mothers and Widows of Soldiers, Sailors, and Marines of the American Forces, an index of Gold Star Mothers and Wives entitled to travel to the war cemeteries in Europe to visit the graves of their loved ones. The book includes names and home cities of the family members, as well as the names, ranks, service information and cemetery location of the fallen soldiers.View Online |
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Mail CallA podcast of news, letters, and stories from the Great WarCreator: Villanova UniversityA podcast series created as part of Home Before the Leaves Fall (wwionline.org), each episode is approximately 30-50 minutes long and is available to stream or download. Topics include chronological events of the war, the sinking of the Lusitania, the Easter Rising, U.S. entry to the war, and the Russian Revolution.Listen Online |
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about this project
The United States World War One Centennial Commission and the National WWI Museum and Memorial are dedicated to educating the public about the causes, events and consequences of the conflict and we encourage the use of these resources to better understand the Great War and its enduring impact on the global community.
Assisting in this endeavor are:
