WWI Centennial events scheduled this month

It was 100 years ago this October that 26,000 American soldiers died on the battlefields of France in one of the final battles of WWI. Hundreds of them were from North Dakota. During the coming month, events will take place to commemorate sacrifices young soldiers from across the country made in defense of freedom and liberty.

Communications were poor in the early 1900s and initially it was believed about 700 North Dakota soldiers died in the, “war to end all wars.” However, a new study by noted historian Barbara Handy-Marcello now puts the number of state residents who died at just under 1,400. “There were no computers, records were sparse, and many were destroyed or lost over the years. The 1,400 I have documented are those we have evidence died and the number might even be higher,” according to Historian Barbara Handy- Marcello.

Handy-Marcello says more than 120,000 soldiers from across the nation died in in WWI and those who paid the ultimate price from North Dakota came from all corners of the state. She notes, “A surprising number of the North Dakotans who died were not even U.S. Citizens. Many were immigrants who came to the U.S. to homestead, join in the American dream; vote. Many were American Indians who they were committed to the war effort though they were not allowed to become citizens until 1924.”

The study listing those who died by county is listed on the North Dakota World War I Centennial Committee website at ww1cc.org/nd.

There will be major WWI programs across the state beginning mid-October. The North Dakota WWI Centennial Committee, funded in part by Humanities North Dakota, a non-profit, independent state partner of the National Endowment for the Humanities, will sponsor six free programs leading up to the armistice ending WWI, 100-years ago on Nov. 11. Susan Wefald or Darrell Dorgan will moderate each of the events.

Each free program will include a short video that provides an overview of WWI, a 30-minute talk by a noted WWI scholar, and audience Q & A discussion of the significant and lasting changes in America and North Dakota caused by WWI. The six programs will begin Oct. 16 and end on Nov. 7.

• Williston - Oct. 16, 7:30 p.m., Williston Public Library, “World War I – America’s March to War,” Prof. Joseph Jastrzembski, Minot State University.

• Minot – Oct. 17, 7:30 p.m., Minot Public Library, “World War I – America’s March to War,” Prof, Joseph Jastrzembski, Minot State University.

• Grand Forks – Oct. 23, 7:30 p.m., University of North Dakota Student Union Lecture Bowl, “World War I –The Real Game of Thrones,” Prof. Al Berger, University of North Dakota.

• Fargo – Oct. 24, 7:30 p.m., Fargo Public Library, “Kaiser Bill in the Cow Pasture: The Great War at the Grassroots of North Dakota,” Prof. Tom Isern, North Dakota State University.

• Jamestown – Oct. 30, 7:30 p.m., Old Stutsman County Courthouse, “Warrior Doughboys,” Prof. Carol Barrett.

• Bismarck – Nov. 7, 7:30 p.m., North Dakota Heritage Center, “‘I have seen my dear son’s resting place’: Gold Star Mothers Pilgrimages of World War I”, Historian Barbara Handy-Marcello.

Another remembrance will occur when the Bismarck-Mandan Symphony Orchestra dedicates their Oct. 20, 7:30 p.m. concert in the Belle Mehus Auditorium to those who served in World War I.

Dorgan notes, “We originated the idea of having bells toll and sirens ring on the morning of Nov. 11 across the state and nation. The National WWI Centennial Commission is now asking all states to participate. We are asking communities across North Dakota to be involved in this tribute by flying flags at half-staff, ringing bells and blowing sirens the morning of Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. Further details on the event will be released shortly.”

Prairie Public Radio has agreed to provide several hours of air-time on Nov. 11 for a conversation about WWI. Many stories written by our committee members about the war will likely be used. They are also considering some programming on television leading up to and on Nov. 11.

Dorgan says, “We look forward to working with groups to help publicize the events of 100 years ago to remember the ultimate sacrifice made by millions across the world and thousands from North Dakota.”