Rock Island, IL: 100 years ago, Rock Islanders and other Quad City residents were joining the American Expeditionary Forces to fight what was popularly called the "War to End All Wars" - known now as World War I. More than 4 million Americans served their country in the first World War, including women, African-Americans, Native Americans, and representatives of other minority groups.
To commemorate and explore that history, the Rock Island Public Library will offer nine programs in the series, "Over There: A Look Back at the War to End All Wars." The chronological examination of World War 1 by Army Sustainment Command historian George Eaton will be offered on the second Wednesday of every other month through November 2018 at the Downtown Library.
The first program to kick off the series is "Unrestricted Submarine Warfare," at 2:00 pm, on Wednesday, July 12, in the second floor community room of the Downtown Library, 401 19th Street. The topic explores the threat of submarine warfare, and its role in the lead up to the United States' active involvement in the War.
Program times will alternate between afternoon and early evenings. Future dates and topics in the series include:
· Sept. 13, 6:00 pm: The Zimmerman Telegram and US Entry into the War
· November 8, at 2:00 pm: Mobilization and Training of the US Army
· January 10, 2018: 6:00 pm, The Rock Island Arsenal during WW1
· March 14, 2:00 pm: Trench Warfare
· May 9, 6:00 pm, Gas Attacks
· July 11, 2:00 pm: Battles of St. Cantigny/St. Mihiel
· Sept. 12, 6:00 pm: Battle of the Meuse-Argonne
· Nov. 14, 2:00 pm: Armistice, The Russian Expedition, and Occupation of Germany
If all that World War I history has you interested in learning more about your own family's history, the library will offer "Get to Know Ancestry.com" on Thursday, July 20 from 2:00 to 3:00 pm, also at the Downtown Library. Rock Island Library provides free access to Ancestry.com Library Edition software via in-library use at library locations. The free workshop will show participants how to access the website, understand the records it offers, and how to start navigating a history of your family's past. The program offers a way to get to know this amazing resource that's available for use at no additional charge through the library subscription.
Both events are free and open to the public.
For details about other library services and programs, please visit www.rockislandlibrary.org, pick up or download the Summer Guide, call 309-732-READ, or follow the library on Facebook and Twitter.
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