National WWI Museum and Memorial Commemorates the Centennial of the World War I Armistice with Special Ceremonies, Events and Discount Admission Nov. 9-11, 2018

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Nov. 5, 2018 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Firing on the First World War's Western Front ended on Nov. 11, 1918. This year marks 100 years since the stillness fell across the battlefields of Europe on the "the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month." To commemorate the end of World War I, President Woodrow Wilson officially recognized Nov. 11 as Armistice Day – a day of somber remembrance recognized around the world, with many stopping for a moment of silence at the 11th hour of this day to honor those who brought about the end of the "Great War."

The National WWI Museum and Memorial will capture the world's attention with activities for all ages to commemorate the end of the war, with events and special ceremonies beginning Friday, Nov. 9, and culminating on the centennial of the World War I Armistice on Sunday, Nov. 11.

In addition, Peace and Remembrance, a spectacular illumination of America's official World War I Memorial, will continue through Nov. 11. The lighting display takes place on nine consecutive evenings leading up to Armistice Day on Nov. 11 to recognize the 9 million soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Great War. Comprised of nearly 55 million pixels to cover the Memorial with red poppies – a traditional symbol for commemorating military personnel who died inspired by the World War I poem "In Flanders Field" — the display was created by DWP Live, a stage and special effects producer for major artists including Adele and Beyonce as well as Super Bowl halftime shows.

From Friday, Nov. 9, through Sunday, Nov. 11, admission to the Museum and Memorial is free for veterans and active-duty military personnel; general admission for the public is half-price.

On Sunday, Nov. 11, the Museum and Memorial hosts a multi-national Armistice Commemoration Ceremony beginning at 9:30 a.m. in the Museum's Memorial Courtyard. Free to the public, this special ceremony features moving readings of letters from soldiers, poetry, musical performances and more.

The United States World War One Centennial Commission is the presenting sponsor of the Museum and Memorial's Armistice Commemoration activities with Pioneer Services serving as the premier sponsor. Jackson County Executive and Legislature, the Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund of Kansas City, Mo., and Wells Fargo are providing additional support.

REFLECTIONS OF HOPE: ARMISTICE 1918
When: All Day through Sunday, Nov. 11
Where: Reflection Pool outside the National WWI Museum and Memorial
What: Artist Ada Koch's moving installation features 117 intricate metal poppy sculptures in a symbolic arrangement. Each poppy represents approximately 1,000 American soldiers killed during the Great War.

PEACE AND REMEMBRANCE
When: Nightly through Nov. 11 (Starting at 6 p.m.)
Where: North Lawn outside the National WWI Museum and Memorial
What: The official WWI memorial of the United States will be illuminated with a nearly 55-million-pixel, 800,000-lumens display featuring more than 5,000 poppies with a massive and moving light installation. At the top of each hour and at 30 minutes past each hour, special presentations of images, footage and details about World War I will appear. Peace and Remembrance occurs for nine days leading up to Nov. 11 in recognition of the nine million soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice during the war. Peace and Remembrance will be viewable from a significant distance. The public is welcome to view the illumination from the grounds of the Museum and Memorial with the North Lawn being the best viewing location. Parking is available in the Museum and Memorial lots as well as along Kessler Road. The United States World War One Centennial Commission is the presenting sponsor of Peace and Remembrance. FREE to the public.

WORLD WAR I RESEARCH STATIONS
When: All Day, Friday-Sunday, Nov. 9-11
Where: Outside J.C. Nichols Auditorium Lobby inside the National WWI Museum and Memorial
What: Find your connection to World War I during Memorial Day weekend through research stations. With access to multiple databases including, Fold3.com, Ancestry.com, the Museum and Memorial's online collections database, the American Battlefield Monuments Commission and the National Archives, discover how the Great War affected your family through records, photographs and much more. FREE to the public.

CRAFT YOUR OWN POPPY
When: 10 a.m. – Noon, Saturday, Nov. 10
Where: J.C. Nichols Auditorium Lobby inside the National WWI Museum and Memorial
What: Commemorate the Armistice by creating your own felt poppy pin or ornament in this family-friendly craft experience. FREE to the public.

HANDS-ON HISTORY
When: 11 a.m., Saturday, Nov. 10
Where: Near Paul Sunderland Glass Bridge inside the National WWI Museum and Memorial
What: History is brought to life during this family-friendly program, where kids of all ages are invited to handle Great War artifacts. FREE to the public.

ARMISTICE CEREMONY
When: 9:30 a.m., Sunday, Nov. 11
Where: Memorial Courtyard outside the National WWI Museum and Memorial
What: Join us for a multi-national commemoration of the Armistice of 1918 featuring moving readings of poems and letters from soldiers, musical performances and more. FREE to the public.

BELLS OF PEACE
When: 10:55 a.m., Sunday, Nov. 11
Where: Memorial Courtyard outside the National WWI Museum and Memorial
What: Exactly 100 years after fighting ceased in Europe, organizations across the globe will participate in a traditional bell tolling to commemorate this momentous event. Those unable to attend the ceremony are also invited to toll bells at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11 to honor those who served. Collectively, the sound of bells represent this incredible moment of peace. The Armistice Bell – now permanently housed at the Museum and Memorial – was originally located at one of the federal buildings in downtown Kansas City and was rung daily by the Daughters of the American Revolution during U.S. involvement in WWI (1917-1918). It was also tolled 11 times at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11, 1926, during the dedication ceremony of the Liberty Memorial. FREE to the public.

WALK OF HONOR DEDICATION CEREMONY
When: 2 p.m., Sunday, Nov. 11
Where: J.C. Nichols Auditorium inside the National WWI Museum and Memorial
What: More than 100 new Walk of Honor granite bricks will be dedicated during a special ceremony. The Walk of Honor, now more than 11,000 bricks strong, is divided into three sections: bricks dedicated solely to those who served in World War I; bricks dedicated to veterans of any military service; and bricks that honor civilian friends, family or organizations. Walk of Honor bricks are dedicated twice each year during Memorial Day and Veterans Day ceremonies. FREE to the public.

ARMISTICE COMMEMORATION HOURS AND PARKING
The National WWI Museum and Memorial will be open on regular days/hours during the Armistice commemoration with the exception of Sunday, Nov. 11 (9 a.m. – 5 p.m.). To accommodate expected high attendance, additional parking will be available on the Southeast lawn of the complex (weather permitting). Visitors seeking to view the Peace and Remembrance illumination are welcome to use available parking on the Museum and Memorial grounds.

About the National WWI Museum and Memorial
The National WWI Museum and Memorial is America's leading institution dedicated to remembering, interpreting and understanding the Great War and its enduring impact on the global community. The Museum and Memorial holds the most comprehensive collection of World War I objects and documents in the world and is the second-oldest public museum dedicated to preserving the objects, history and experiences of the war. The Museum and Memorial takes visitors of all ages on an epic journey through a transformative period and shares deeply personal stories of courage, honor, patriotism and sacrifice. Designated by Congress as America's official World War I Museum and Memorial and located in downtown Kansas City, Mo., the National WWI Museum and Memorial inspires thought, dialogue and learning to make the experiences of the Great War era meaningful and relevant for present and future generations. To learn more, visit theworldwar.org.

SOURCE National WWI Museum and Memorial

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http://theworldwar.org