Centenary of the outbreak of World War I

The centenary of the outbreak of World War I was commemorated in Europe in late July and early August 2014. A century earlier, the July Crisis, which occurred after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, had culminated in Austria-Hungary declaring war on the Kingdom of Serbia, which Austria-Hungary blamed for the assassination, on 28 July 1914. Over the following days and weeks, this action and the invasion of Luxembourg and Belgium by the German Empire led to a succession of other declarations of war that drew the major European powers into a worldwide conflict. A century later, governments in Europe held a series of official commemorative events to mark the occasion.

Balloon release at the Reims War Memorial in the Place de la République

Hartmannswillerkopf

On 3 August 2014, the centenary of Germany's declaration of war on France was marked by French President François Hollande and German President Joachim Gauck, who together laid the first stone of a new joint memorial at Hartmannswillerkopf for French and German soldiers killed in the war. Over 30,000 soldiers from both sides died in the fighting here at the Battle of Hartmannswillerkopf. The site, in the Vosges mountains of Alsace in France, is the location of a cemetery and a crypt containing the ashes of 12,000 unknown soldiers. The presidents observed a minute's silence in the crypt.[1]

Allied memorial at Liège

On the morning of 4 August 2014, leaders and representatives of 83 countries gathered at the Allied Memorial at Cointe on the outskirts of Liège to commemorate the invasion of Belgium by Germany and the Battle of Liège.[2] Representing Belgium were Philippe, King of the Belgians and Queen Mathilde, together with the Presidents of France and Germany, François Hollande and Joachim Gauck. Representatives were present from the United Kingdom, the United States, Spain, Italy, Ireland, Serbia, Romania and the European Commission. Speeches were given by King Philippe, Hollande, Gauck, and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge. The commemoration culminated in the laying of a wreath of white roses at the memorial by King Philippe.[2]

Saint Symphorien cemetery

On the evening of 4 August 2014, a commemorative event was held at St Symphorien cemetery in Belgium.[3] Originally built by the Germans during the war, and containing both German and British graves, this cemetery is now maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. The commemorative event here marked the losses at the Battle of Mons. Those attending the event and ceremony included King Philippe and Queen Mathilde representing Belgium. Representing the United Kingdom were Prince William, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry. Politicians present included Joachim Gauck (President of Germany), Elio Di Rupo (Prime Minister of Belgium) and David Cameron (Prime Minister of the United Kingdom). Also present was Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury. The event was broadcast on television by the British Broadcasting Corporation, with narration by historian Dan Snow and readings, music and poetry about the history of the war.[3] Wreath-laying and a silence was followed by the playing of The Last Post.

Spectra display in London at the Victoria Tower Gardens

Westminster Abbey

The final event of commemoration on 4 August 2014 was held in London at Westminster Abbey, with a service and a candlelit vigil.[4] This was part of the 'Lights Out' event inspired by the words of Sir Edward Grey, foreign secretary at the outbreak of war: "The lamps are going out all over Europe; we shall not see them lit again in our lifetime." Those present at the service included Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Labour leader Ed Miliband. The culmination of the service was a vigil at the Tomb of The Unknown Warrior.[4] Part of the same 'Lights Out' event was the Spectra installation, with 49 beams of light rising above London from Victoria Tower Gardens to mark the centenary of the entry of Britain into the war.[5]

Tower of London

Between 5 August (the centenary of the first full day of the war) and 11 November (Remembrance Day) 2014 at the Tower of London, a ceramic poppy was planted for each British and Commonwealth soldier that died, making up the artwork titled Blood Swept Lands and Seas of Red.[6]

See also

References
  1. Huggler, Justin (8 August 2014). "French and German presidents hold joint First World War ceremony in Alsace". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
  2. Robinson, Frances (4 August 2014). "World War I Centenary Marked in Liège". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
  3. Henley, Jon (4 August 2014). "Europe's leaders hail ties of peace as they mark first world war centenary". The Guardian. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
  4. "'Lights Out' ends day of WW1 centenary commemorations". BBC News. 5 August 2014. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
  5. "WW1 centenary: Column of light illuminates London commemoration". BBC News. 5 August 2014. Retrieved 8 August 2014.
  6. http://poppies.hrp.org.uk/
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