World War I History Tour: An American Journey through "The Great War"

This opportunity is open to the public, including SMU students, alumni, & friends of the CPH.

June 1-10, 2023

Student Application| Tour Flyer| Detailed Itinerary 

 It has been just over 100 years since the guns fell silent and World War I ended. Still, the events of
that era continue to shape and affect our world today. Four major monarchies and empires
collapsed in history’s greatest shift in European and world power. The United States and the Soviet
Union became major global players out of the ashes. The new map of the world created from the
war continues to have significant impact on current events.

The war had been underway for nearly three years when the United States entered WWI on the
Allied side in April 1917. However, it would be another year until the American forces finally made
their impact on the battlefield. And it was a decisive impact that demonstrated the unflinching
resolve of freedom-loving peoples and brought an end to the bloodiest conflict in human history to
that point. If your mind is set on a belief that World War I was nothing but static trench warfare and
no movement, you will be surprised to encounter the American fighting forces involved in one great
maneuver offensive after another. We now, at the centennial plus five, have the incredible
opportunity to follow in the footsteps of these young Americans in the Great War tour.

This America in World War I history tour will bring guests to the verdant fields; and villages, towns
and cities where the youth of America made their most indelible mark. From the Big Red One in the first fight at Cantigny, to the Marines at Belleau Wood; from American infantrymen assaulting the lines at St Quentin Canal and the St Mihiel Salient, to the largest battle in American history in the Meuse-Argonne. From the story of the Lost Battalion, to Sergeant York’s exploits, to the four Roosevelt brothers, and so many other iconic stories and sites. We will also pay respect to our allies by visiting the British battles at Mons and Ieper/Passchendaele, the Canadians at Vimy Ridge, the Australians in the Somme and the French at Verdun.