Nearly A Century Later, The Great War Still Matters

Wars always seem to be fought in the name of peace.
World War I was no different.
And America's entry into the "war to end all wars" would be justified to "make the world safe for democracy."
World War I was such a momentous event that the history of the conflict and its continuing ramifications are likely to be studied forever. This was the first great industrial war. This was the war that redrew the map of Europe. This was the war that vanquished empires and monarchies. This was the war that gave birth to new revolutions and new political extremes. This was the war that failed to end ethnic rivalries. This was the war that forced America onto the world stage and helped make The US a great world power.
Very few people are alive today who even remember the great war.
That's why the National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial in Kansas City provides such an invaluable and such an extraordinary experience.
This state-of-the-art Museum (which we visited yesterday) gives you the chance to explore and discover the nation’s most extensive assembly of artifacts, photography, art and narratives of the Great War ever presented in a single collection. The Museum introduces the war in unprecedented ways – through visual and audio sensory stimulation to mold an unforgettable experience in the minds of all visitors – young and old.
This is an all-encompassing experience that is overwhelming in its scope and depth.
The memorial and the museum inspire thought, dialogue, and learning to make the experiences of the World War I era meaningful and relevant for present and future generations.
The site for the Liberty Memorial was dedicated on November 1, 1921. On this day, the supreme Allied commanders spoke to a crowd of more than 100,000 people. It was the only time in history these leaders were together in one place. In attendance were Lieutenant General Baron Jacques of Belgium; General Armando Diaz of Italy; Marshal Ferdinand Foch of France; General John J. Pershing of the United States; and Admiral David Beatty of Great Britain.
After three years of construction, the Liberty Memorial was completed (except for the north frieze wall, dedicated in 1935). President Calvin Coolidge delivered the dedication speech to a crowd of 150,000 people.
Over time the physical structure of the Liberty Memorial deteriorated, and in 1994 it was closed due to safety concerns. In 1998 the public voiced its support for the Liberty Memorial once again by passing a half-cent sales tax for 18 months to support the restoration. While revitalizing the Liberty Memorial, plans took shape for expanding the site by building a museum in the space under the memorial.
It was an ambitious and audacious undertaking.
In 2004 the Museum was designated by Congress as the United States’ official World War I Museum, opening to the public on December 2, 2006, as the National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial.
The result is nothing less than breathtaking.
The Museum presents a comprehensive interpretation of World War I (1914-1919) and its lasting consequences, providing a vivid and memorable experience for all.
This is surely one of the most worthwhile museum experiences of its type in the world.
Don't miss it!