The National Archives recently embarked upon a large scale digitization project, focused on photographic and moving image records related to World War I and World War II. These public domain records are being digitized through a gift to the National Archives Trust Fund with the goal of making them more accessible for everyone to use, from teachers and local community groups, to museums and filmmakers.

Recently digitized and now available in our online catalog is a fascinating series of World War I photographs, the American Unofficial Collection of World War I Photographs, 1917-1918.

This series contains photographs obtained from the U.S. Army Signal Corps, Federal and State government agencies, as well as private sources, such as the American Red Cross and the Central News and Photo Service. The photos depict the unity of the nation and how overwhelming the war effort was, including pictures of public gatherings, peace demonstrations, parades, and activities of libraries, hospitals and first aid stations.

Some highlights include:

Albert Sterner painting war posters for the Government. National Archives Identifier 533471





Returning from a U-Boat Scouting Party. National Archives Identifier 533474





African-American regiment arrives home from France. New York’s famous 369th (old 15th) Infantry troops arrive in Hoboken, NJ. National Archives Identifier 533528





Airplanes-Radio equipment- This is what an airman wears when he used the wireless telephone. National Archives Identifier 17341083



