Football and WWI, Censorship and Homeschool Month at the National WWI Museum and Memorial

KANSAS CITY, MO. – In advance of hosting the 2023 NFL Draft, the National WWI Museum and Memorial presents a timely lecture, “War Football: WWI and the Birth of the NFL,” on the history of America’s favorite pastime – from the battlefield to the football field. On Thursday, March 30 at 6:30 p.m., author Chris Serb will discuss the athletes that traded in their cleats to serve in the First World War. To raise the morale of servicemen, along with millions of dollars in funding for the war effort, each branch of the United States military created competitive football teams. The success of this effort lingered long after the Armistice, leading to the founding of the National Football League in 1920. “War Football: WWI and the Birth of the NFL” will take onsite and online, and is free with RSVP.

On Tuesday, March 21, Kansas City PBS, American Public Square and the National WWI Museum and Memorial partner for “Canceled, Censored, Banned,” a citizen engagement event featuring a wide-ranging panel, including Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft. From city and state legislative efforts to control content in public libraries to local universities blocking conservative speakers on campus, “Canceled, Censored, Banned” discusses the growing reluctance to tolerate divergent viewpoints and to silence voices we disagree with. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m. for a light reception and the program will begin promptly at 6 p.m. The program will be onsite and online, and is free with RSVP.

March is Homeschool Month at the National WWI Museum and Memorial. The Museum and Memorial will offer a discount for any homeschool student aged 18 and under during the month of March.

Also in March, “Pershing Lecture Series: Guests of the Kaiser and Spoils of the Doughboys” on Tuesday, March 7 at 6:30 p.m., will feature Dr. Richard Faulkner who will explore how Americans and Germans treated each other’s POWs in WWI. On Sunday, March 12 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., guests will have the opportunity to interact with Living History Volunteers at “Day in the Life: Western Front.” On Friday, March 17 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., the Museum and Memorial will host its semi-annual blood drive, “Save a Life: Blood Drive.” Reservations are encouraged.

About the National WWI Museum and Memorial

The National WWI Museum and Memorial is America’s leading institution dedicated to remembering, interpreting and understanding the Great War and its enduring impact on the global community. The Museum and Memorial holds the most comprehensive collection of World War I objects and documents in the world and is the second-oldest public museum dedicated to preserving the objects, history and experiences of the war. The Museum and Memorial takes visitors of all ages on an epic journey through a transformative period and shares deeply personal stories of courage, honor, patriotism and sacrifice. Designated by Congress as America’s official World War I Museum and Memorial and located in downtown Kansas City, Mo., the National WWI Museum and Memorial inspires thought, dialogue and learning to make the experiences of the Great War era meaningful and relevant for present and future generations. To learn more, visit theworldwar.org.