United States World War I Centennial Commission

The United States World War I Centennial Commission was created by an Act of Congress in 2013. This Act was passed in order to honor and recognize the centennial of America's involvement with World War I. The Commission is in charge of planning, developing, and executing programs, projects, and activities to commemorate the centennial of World War I. The Commission also develops educational programs for a variety of audiences, organizes events to commemorate America's involvement in the War, and will establish a National World War I Memorial in Washington, D.C. The Pritzker Military Museum and Library is the founding sponsor of the Commission.

Members of the Commission were appointed by the President and the leaders of the Senate and the House of Representatives, as well as the American Legion, the Veterans of Foreign Wars, and the National World War I Museum. The Commission receives no appropriated funds, and the Commissioners serve without pay.

When World War I broke out in Europe during the summer of 1914, the United States stuck to a strict policy of neutrality. On August 4, 1914, President Woodrow Wilson declared to Congress that, "The United States must be neutral in fact, as well as in name, during these days that are to try men's souls. We must be impartial in thought, as well as action." However, after years of unrestricted German submarine warfare, the sinking of the Lusitania, and the public release of the Zimmermann Telegram, the United States could no longer remain neutral in the international conflict. On April 6, 1917, Congress officially declared war against Germany and joined the Allied forces.

Led by General John J. Pershing, the American Expeditionary Forces arrived in Europe in June 1917. American forces participated in several major battles, most notably the Meuse-Argonne offensive. This became a major turning point in the War, which had been at a stalemate for years. The War would finally end a year later on November 11, 1918. Over 4.7 million American men and women would serve, and more than 116,000 American soldiers, or "doughboys" as they were commonly referred to, would pay the ultimate sacrifice.

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