Learn all about “The War to End All Wars” with popular historical presenter Arn Kind. Kind is presenting “Minnesota in the Great War” to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the United States’ entry into World War I. This two hour exciting, living history program is free and open to the public and will be held at the Chisago Lakes Area Library on Saturday, November 4 at 10:30 am and at the Princeton Area Library on Thursday, November 9 at 6:30 pm.
For the United States, the First World War lasted just 19 months and involved more than 100,000 men from Minnesota. They served in the army, navy, marine corps and medical corps. Of that number more than 1,400 were killed in battle or fatally wounded. Another 2,000 died of disease, many from the flu epidemic that broke out during the war.
Kind, in his presentation, will discuss the causes of the war; why and how America got involved; strategies used to win the war; the uniform, weapons, equipment and the life of the typical Minnesota soldier or “Doughboy;” and the role women played in the war.
The audience will learn about the new technologies that were introduced during the war. Technologies such as the airplane, submarine, tank and the introduction of lethal gas on the battlefield made the Great War the first “industrial war.” Minnesotans found themselves on battlefields and seas that were far more lethal than anything that had come before.
The event is funded with funds from Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.