Panelists discuss “The Treaty of Versailles: 100 years later”, at an education symposium at France's Palace of Versailles, on the 100th anniversary of the Treaty that ended WWI. The special symposium brought together major historians and students from universities in France and the United States.A video version of the symposium be available for free, online, at WW1CC.org. (Caption by Chris Isleib, Director of Public Affairs, United States World War One Centennial Commission.)

Events in France, Online Exhibition Mark the Centennial of the Treaty of Versailles

By Chris Isleib
Director of Public Affairs, United States World War One Centennial Commission

VERSAILLES, FRANCE July 29, 2019 — Yesterday brought remembrance, commemoration, and education to Versailles France, as historical organizations honored the 100th Anniversary of the Treaty of Versailles. The first of the Paris Peace Treaties, the Treaty of Versailles officially, effectively, ended World War I.

Presenting sponsor, the Pritzker Military Museum & Library, worked with the National WWI Museum and Memorial, National History Day, and with the U.S. World War I Centennial Commission to create a series of activities that were hosted by the legendary Palace of Versailles, where the Treaty was signed a century ago.

There were several parts to the commemoration, including a day-long educational symposium, the rollout of a special online digital exhibition, a wreath remembrance ceremony, and a fundraising reception to benefit the new National World War I Memorial in Washington DC.

The education symposium brought together major World War I historians, and students from universities in France and the United States, and gave them opportunity to discuss and explore the long term impacts from the Treaty. A video version of the symposium be available for free, online, at the Centennial Commission website www.WW1CC.org.

The online historical exhibition, titled “The Rise of Giving: American Philanthropy and World War I”, highlights the extraordinary achievements of American volunteers and philanthropists during and after World War I in Europe. It is also free, and can be found on the website of the National WWI Museum and Memorial, at https://www.theworldwar.org

The wreath remembrance ceremony was carried out by the students of the educational symposium, and took place at the City of Versailles recently-renovated Monument to Lafayette and General Pershing, who was commander of the American military forces in World War I.

The fundraiser reception marked the Treaty's centennial, and included fireworks, and the presentation of the inaugural Versailles Award for American Philanthropy, presented to Davi Rockefeller, Jr. by Catherine Pegard, the President of the Palace of Versailles, in recognition of the contributions his grandfather, John D. Rockefeller, Jr. made to rebuild France after World War I, including the restoration of the Palace of Versailles, itself.

Proceeds from the fundraiser reception will benefit the new National World War I Memorial in Washington DC. This new national-level memorial will honor the 4.7 million Americans who served in the war 100 years ago, and the 116,516 of those men and women who gave their lives.

Also, a contribution from the fundraiser will be made in the name of American-French unity, specifically to the restoration of the Queen's Grove in Versailles, a garden planted at the Palace of Versailles in 1775 with indigenous American horticulture -- an enduring symbol of the three centuries of French-American alliance, that started at Versailles during the American War of Independence.

Noted historian, Dr. Michael S. Neiberg talks to the news media after the conclusion of “The Treaty of Versailles: 100 years later”. He was one of the leading speakers at this special education symposium at France's Palace of Versailles on the 100th anniversary of the Treaty that ended WWI. The special symposium brought together major historians and students from universities in France and the United States.A video version of the symposium be available for free, online, at WW1CC.org. (Caption by Chris Isleib, Director of Public Affairs, United States World War One Centennial Commission.)

Students from universities in France and the United States hold a remembrance ceremony at the General Pershing statue in Versailles, France. The ceremony was part of “The Treaty of Versailles: 100 years later”, a special education symposium at the Palace of Versailles, where the Treaty was signed exactly 100 years ago, ending World War I. (Caption by Chris Isleib, Director of Public Affairs, United States World War One Centennial Commission.)

Remembrance ceremony at the General Pershing statue in Versailles, France. The ceremony was part of “The Treaty of Versailles: 100 years later”, a special education symposium at the Palace of Versailles, where the Treaty was signed exactly 100 years ago, ending World War I. (Caption by Chris Isleib, Director of Public Affairs, United States World War One Centennial Commission.)

Guests arrive at France's Palace of Versailles, as part of commemoration events to mark the Treaty of Versailles, signed at the Palace exactly 100 years ago today, effectively ending World War I. (Caption by Chris Isleib, Director of Public Affairs, United States World War One Centennial Commission.)

 Greeting the guests were 100 flag bearers of France's Interallied Federation of War Veterans Organisations, many of whom were war veterans, themselves. (Caption by Chris Isleib, Director of Public Affairs, United States World War One Centennial Commission.)

 Philanthropist David Rockefeller, Jr. receives the the inaugural Versailles Award for American Philanthropy, presented to Davi Rockefeller, Jr. by Catherine Pegard, the President of the Palace of Versailles, in recognition of the contributions his grandfather, John D. Rockefeller, Jr. made to rebuild France after World War I. (Caption by Chris Isleib, Director of Public Affairs, United States World War One Centennial Commission.)

Fireworks light the sky at France's Palace of Versailles. The show was part of special commemoration events to mark the Treaty of Versailles, signed at the Palace exactly 100 years ago, which effectively ended World War I. (Caption by Chris Isleib, Director of Public Affairs, United States World War One Centennial Commission.)