World War I Centennial

Gun crew from Regimental Headquarters Company, 23rd Infantry, firing 37 mm gun during an advance on German entrenched positions. View in Catalog.

As the largest repository of American World War I records, the National Archives invites you to browse the wealth of records and information documenting the U.S. experience in this conflict, including photographs, documents, audiovisual recordings, educational resources, articles, blog posts, lectures, and events.

April 6, 2017, marks the 100th anniversary of America’s entrance into the Great War. After remaining neutral for three years, the United States reluctantly entered what was supposed to be "The War to End All Wars." By declaring war, President Woodrow Wilson committed the nation to join the other Allied countries in their efforts to defeat the German-led Central Powers.

What's Happening?

Learn about our current programs and exhibits related to World War I.

Educator Resources

Teach with World War I documents using our DocsTeach tool.

Genealogy Resources

Learn about our records relating to individuals.

Prologue Magazine

Read articles about World War I drawn from our holdings.

Tag and Transcribe

Become a Citizen Archivist for our World War I records.

World War I Topics

Explore more records, information, articles and resources at the National Archives organized by subject area.

 

Diversity in World War I

 

Training the Soldier

 

On the Homefront

 

On the Battlefield

 

Personalities

 

Technology and Innovation

 

Medicine in the War

 

After the Armistice

 

More Resources

Begin your research with these World War I overview guides and resources from the National Archives. The records highlighted here represent a small portion of the National Archives holdings, many of which have not yet been digitized. Contact the National Archives to plan a research visit. 

• American Unofficial Collection of World War I Photographs, 1917 - 1918

  • Accessing World War I Photos in the Digital Age, The Unwritten Record blog

• Military Records: World War I Records at the National Archives at St. Louis

• Explore more resources, ask questions and get research help on History Hub

• Franklin D. Roosevelt, Papers as Assistant Secretary of the Navy, 1913-1920 | Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum

• World War I Foreign Policy Records series, The Text Message blog

• World War I: A Soldier's Story exhibit on Google Cultural Institute

• The U.S. Food Administration, Women, and the Great War: The Pennsylvania Food Conservation Train exhibit on Google Cultural Institute