(CNN) Streets throughout the United Kingdom were transformed Friday into scenes reminiscent of World War I.

It's the 100-year anniversary of the Battle of the Somme and people across the country paid homage. About 300,000 British, French and German soldiers lost their lives in the battle, which began on July 1, 1916, and lasted months.

More than 1,500 volunteers dressed up as soldiers to commemorate the event, according to the National Theatre website

Each volunteer adopted an identity of a World War I soldier that was killed during the battle. He carried a card of the soldier he represented, handing it out to passers-by.

The project did more than echo history -- it made the battle relevant to present day.

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