The Centenary of World War I

Saturday marks the day recognised as the beginning of World War 1. The Great War was a conflict on an unprecedented scale that affected the everyday lives of virtually all Europeans and many people living in other parts of the world.

The memory of the war, its events and consequences, its victims and victors, all remain very much alive today. It has become part of the individual and collective memory of Europe. Below we're highlighting historical photographs related to World War One, photos that keep our memories alive.

Explore Europeana for thousands of items related to the war. Images: Europeana 1914-1918, National Library of Scotland, National Library of France

Willie Rudolph aus Berlin an der Westfront | CC-BY-SA, Europeana 14-18 Tranches de vie, Jules Verin | CC-BY-SA, Europeana 14-18 Matyas Magyar aus Szegvàr an der Ostfront | CC-BY-SA, Europeana 14-18 at the Somme | CC-BY-SA, Europeana 14-18 Tommies play football with a gasmask | Public Domain, BnF Kriegsfotos Walter Naumann nr.2 | | CC-BY-SA Europeana 14-18 at the Somme | CC-BY-SA, Europeana 14-18 at the Somme | CC-BY-SA, Europeana 14-18 Kriegsfotos Walter Naumann nr.1 | | CC-BY-SA Europeana 14-18 Kriegsfotos Walter Naumann nr.2 | | CC-BY-SA Europeana 14-18 An Der Sommefront | CC-BY-SA Europeana 14-18 Fotografie Latrinenparolen | CC-BY-SA, Europeana 14-18 Kriegsfotos Walter Naumann nr.4 | | CC-BY-SA Europeana 14-18 Kriegsfotos Walter Naumann nr.4 | | CC-BY-SA Europeana 14-18 Rookie of the 10th Battalion Northumberland sewing buttons with a cat on his shoulders | Public Domain BnF Feldpostkarte Willkommene Beute | CC-BY-SA, Europeana 14-18 Cheery pilot and observer with their mascot pup | CC-BY-NC-SA, National Library of Scotland

Josef Schnitzius - Kriegsweihnacht 1917 | CC-BY-SA, Europeana 14-18