Overview

November 2018 saw the culmination of almost ten years of activity to commemorate the centenary of the First World War. Across this decade, IWM brought together thousands of organisations and millions of people across the world to remember the lives of those who fought and died in the conflict.

We are proud of the impact we have had through our centenary programme, including supporting over 4,000 organisations across the world through the First World War Centenary Partnership, remembering almost 8 million individuals who were involved in the conflict through Lives of the First World War, and working alongside 1418 NOW, whose extraordinary programme reached over 35 million people world-wide.

Mapping the Centenary

First World War Centenary event at IWM London, 2018
©IWM
First World War Centenary event at IWM London, 2018

Mapping the Centenary is a digital portal containing information about projects and activities that marked the First World War Centenary from 2014 – 2019.

We invite organisations and individuals to tell us about their activity - from websites to events, to learning resources and historical research – to build a searchable database to help us to understand how the centenary was marked and create a lasting legacy for commemorations.

First World War Centenary Partnership

Somme 100 film at Falkirk Town Hall
© Falkirk Community Trust
Somme 100 film at Falkirk Town Hall

From 2014 to 2018 the First World War Centenary Partnership, led by IWM and with the generous support of Arts Council England and Culture 24, brought together thousands of organisations and millions of people across the world to commemorate the centenary of the First World War.

Lives of the First World War

A party of British troops with guns and shovels at Fleurbaix.
Credit: IWM Q649
A party of British troops with guns and shovels at Fleurbaix.

IWM’s Lives of the First World War tells the stories of individuals from across Britain and the Commonwealth who served in uniform and worked on the home front. This innovative digital project ran from 12 May 2014 to 19 March 2019. From individuals and families, to communities and organisations, more than 160,000 people collaborated to piece together the lives of people who experienced the conflict, through sharing anecdotes and digitising material that has been hidden away in attics until now.

14-18 Now

Poppies: Wave and Weeping Window Sculptures
© Richard Lea-Hair and Historic Royal Palaces
Poppies: Wave and Weeping Window Sculptures

From 2013 to 2019 IWM worked alongside 14-18 NOW, the UK’s arts programme for the First World War centenary established by DCMS, to connect people across the world with the First World War through extraordinary arts experiences. 14-18 NOW engaged 35 million people in the UK, 8 million of them under the age of 25.

This work would not have been possible without the support and partnership of many organisations, including high profile national commemorations and community-led initiatives, artists and musicians, volunteers, academic researchers and community historians. We would like to thank everyone for their ongoing collaboration.