WW1 Armistice 100th Anniversary

Howard College cadets during WWI. Image courtesy of the Samford University Library Special Collection.

Sunday, November 11, 2018 marks the 100th anniversary of the Armistice of the First World War.

WWI or “The Great War” was the largest and deadliest war to that point in history. From July 1914-November 1918 dozens of countries on multiple fronts fought around the clock. It was the advent of many different modern war technologies, such as planes and deadly gas, helping make it one of the most horrifying conflicts in history.

At the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month “The War to End All Wars” was over. Over 65,000,000 were dead, with millions more wounded and displaced.

A supply caraven in Europe days after the Armistice.  Image courtesy of the Samford University Library Special Collection.

Graves of fallen soldiers as far as the eye can see.  Image courtesy of the Samford University Library Special Collection.

War destruction in Verdun, France.  Image courtesy of the Samford University Library Special Collection.

An arm of the American Red Cross was based out of Birmingham. Many local people who could not serve in the military, many women, worked to provide relief services for those serving in the war.

Canteen service report.  Images courtesy of the Samford University Library Special Collection.

Many of the applications for service in the Red Cross include a desire to serve their country as their reason for volunteering. The Samford University Library Special Collection has many of these applications, including one from Howard College Alum Frances Youngblood.

Images courtesy of the Samford University Library Special Collection.