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Read the press release here.

Program Launched To Save Chicago's 'Forgotten' World War I Monuments

By Justin Breen | March 21, 2017 1:09pm | Updated on March 24, 2017 11:37am
 April 2 marks the 99th anniversary Woodrow Wilson requesting a declaration of war against Germany for World War I.
World War I
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CHICAGO — Landmarks Illinois is starting a grant program to preserve the state's World War I outdoor monuments and memorials.

The Landmarks Illinois World War I Monument Preservation Grant Program launched Tuesday as the United States nears the 100th anniversary of its entry into World War I on April 6, 1917. Grants will range from $500-$5,000.

“The Landmarks Illinois World War I Monument Preservation Grant Program provides critical funding for aging historical markers that pay homage to local heroes who served in the Great War,” Bonnie McDonald, president and CEO of Landmarks Illinois, stated in a news release. “Often called ‘The Forgotten War,’ we cannot stand by and let these landmarks to our veterans go unnoticed.”

 Landmarks Illinois launched the program to save World War I monuments across the state, including Chicago.
Landmarks Illinois launched the program to save World War I monuments across the state, including Chicago.
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Chicago History Museum

Hundreds of thousands of Chicago area residents left their homes to serve in World War I nearly a century ago.

Thousands never returned, victims of the machine guns, mustard gas and other horrors of trench warfare.

Chicago was changed forever after President Woodrow Wilson requested a declaration of war against Germany on April 2, 1917. Congress voted to declare war four days later. In addition to sending thousands to take part in the war effort, Chicago saw a mass influx of African-Americans searching for jobs at city factories.

Many German families here faced a strong anti-German sentiment, and several changed their last names. Sauerkraut for a time became "liberty cabbage." The Germania Club became known as The Chicago Lincoln Club; Hotel Bismarck switched names to Hotel Randolph.

"There was more of an anti-German sentiment in World War I than World War II," Russell Lewis, the Chicago History Museum's executive vice president and chief historian, told DNAinfo last year.

Lewis said there are a few sites in Chicago that honor the men who died in World War I, including Soldier Field (originally called Grant Park Municipal Stadium); the Victory Monument dedicated to black soldiers and designed by Leonard Crunelle at 35th Street and Martin Luther King Drive and installed in 1927; and Edison Park Monument Park, installed in 1924.

For full eligibility rules and additional guidelines for grant applicants, click here. If you know of a monument or memorial in your community, email Landmarks Illinois director of grants and easements Suzanne Germann at sgermann@landmarks.org.