THE WWI CENTENNIAL COMMISSION COMMEMORATES THE 100TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TREATY OF VERSAILLES

On June 28th, 2019, in honor of the Centennial Anniversary of the Treaty of Versailles, a day of remembrance, commemoration, and education, took place in Versailles, France. 

The first of the Paris Peace Treaties, this treaty officially ended the state of war between the Allied Nations and Germany.

Presenting Sponsor, the Pritzker Military Museum & Library, along with National WWI Museum and Memorial, and the Doughboy Foundation, supported activities at the legendary Palace of Versailles.

The commemoration consisted of a day long educational symposium, a digital online exhibition, private tours of the Royal Apartments and the Hall of Mirrors, and a Black-tie dinner in the Hall of Battles for 500 guests.

The commemoration also included the inaugural Versailles Award for American Philanthropy  presented to David Rockefeller, Jr. by Catherine Pégard, the President of the Palace of Versailles, in recognition of the contributions his grandfather, John D. Rockefeller, Jr. made to rebuild France after World War I, including the restoration of the Palace of Versailles, itself. 

Proceeds from the dinner will benefit the construction of the new National World War I Memorial in Washington, D.C.

This new national-level memorial will give recognition in Washington to the more than 4.7 million Americans who served their country -- more than 320,000 of whom were wounded or died. 

In addition, a contribution will be made to the restoration of the Queen’s Grove, a garden planted in 1775 with indigenous American horticulture -- an enduring symbol of the three centuries of French-American alliance, that started at Versailles during the American War of Independence.

A scale-model sculptural Maquette of the new National World War I Memorial, as well as an 18th century drawing of the Queen’s Grove will be on display, during the cocktail reception.

1. Various of audience and panel discussion on Treaty of Versailles and American philanthropy with (left to right) Dr. Olivier Zunz, history Professor at the University of Virginia; Dr Julia Irwin, Associate Chair of History at University of South Florida and Dr. John Maxwell Hamilton, writer and Professor at Louisiana State University
2. SOUNDBITE (English) Michael Neiberg, History Professor at the US Army War College
3. Cutaway panel discussion
4. SOUNDBITE (English) Dr. Matthew C. Naylor, President of the National WWI Museum and Memorial
5. Audience at panel discussion
6. SOUNDBITE (English) Sarah Gallagher, Social studies teacher (grade 9 to 12) at Saint Albans High School, West Virginia, USA
7. SOUNDBITE (English) Wesley Ford, Computer Science student at Georgia Tech. University, Atlanta, USA
8. SOUNDBITE (English) Mathilde Hubert, International Relations student at Versailles University (French student)
9. Golden gate of Palace of Versailles  
10. SOUNDBITE (English) David Rockefeller, Jr. (with wife Susan)
11. Guests arriving on red carpet with flag-bearer
12. SOUNDBITE (English) Susan Rockefeller (with husband David Jr.)
13. Various of guests arriving at fundraising event with flag-bearers and music
14. Colonel Jennifer Pritzker, founder of Pritzker Military Museum & Library arriving at fundraising event
15. Guests posing with man dressed up as Louis XVI (16th)
16. SOUNDBITE (English) Dr. Rob Havers, President and CEO of Pritzker Military Museum & Library 
17. Various of musicians dressed up in the style of Louis XIV and guests at the cocktail reception
18. Colonel Jennifer Pritzker, founder of Pritzker Military Museum & Library with friends at cocktail reception
18. Guests heading to sit-down dinner
19. Various of David Rockefeller, Jr. speaking after accepting award from Versailles Castle President Catherine Pegard
20. Various of fireworks outside Versailles Castle

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