"The world must be made safe for democracy."

The United States joined in the war April 6, 1917, but the story does not begin or end there. Where does the story of World War I intersect with the stories of national parks? The answers might surprise you.

United States Map
Parks

Find and explore parks with WWI connections!

An army tank sits under a tree.
Preparing for War

Parks are usually serene today, but during the war these places buzzed with activity as the nation built and trained its military.

Suffragettes picket outside the White House fence.
Society and Politics

While the war raged across the ocean, social and political movements made waves at home.

German submariners stand on the deck as waves crash around them.
Fighting the War

Glimpse the diversity of the American experience overseas and the shock of the war coming to American coastlines.

Soldiers march in a parade on a city street lined with spectators.
Impacts and Legacy

A war that ravaged Europe also left its mark on America, influencing events and perspectives for decades to come.

Pershing Park, Washington, DC
Commemorating WWI

Remembering the war and those who served.

Nurses in training
Teachers

Lesson plans for teaching World War I in the national parks.

Last updated: February 12, 2018