A Time for Remembrance

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Remembering History in 2014

100 years. 70 years. 25 years. 2014 is a very important year it seems. So I guess its a good thing that I moved to Europe this year. That way I can take part in all of the celebrations, or at least be one step closer to them. As a history major, this is so cool. I work right next to the German Embassy, so right now they have a poster celebrating the fall of the Berlin wall. I had the privilege to go to the Somme and the beaches of Normandy. Maybe I wasn't there for the actual celebrations, but I've had the privilege of seeing these places. And its interesting to see how each country pays its respects.

The Tower of London

To remember the declaration of World War I, 100 photos were installed on the Champs Elysées to educate people and honor those who served during World War I. 100 photos were representing the 100 years since the war. Each photo had a description in both French and English. The photos portrayed the lives of soldiers and citizens, showing how everyone was effected by the war. The photo installation lasted for a few months, but had to be taken down to make way for other events on the Champs Elysées.

London is also partaking in the remembrance. Since the day that marked the 100th anniversary of the start of the war, they have been installing ceramic poppies at the Tower of London. Each poppy represents a soldier that died during World War I. The installation came to a completion yesterday and now the poppies are being sold. The London Underground also had pamphlets called War Poems on the Underground 1914-1918. It is a collection of poems written by people during World War I, most of them soldiers or loved ones of soldiers, from all sides of the conflict.

One of the 100 Photos on the Champs Elysees

Meanwhile, in June, veterans were jumping out of planes in honor of D-Day in Normandy. The annual celebration got a little bigger as it has been 70 years since the Normandy landings. More museums of exhibits have been introduced to the area, and on June 6, people were warned that no one would be able to drive from city to city because so many people would be in the area for the celebration.

The Hôtel de Ville in Paris had an exposition for the liberation of Paris. Photos and artifacts were donated by surrounding museums for the exposition. The Muéee Carnavalet also has an exposition called Paris Liberated and Exposed. Whether there are big parades or small expositions, this year is certainly a year to be remembered.