Ridgewood Historical Society : 100 Years ago this Friday, the U.S. entered WWI and declared War on Germany

Ridgewood NJ, Following a vote by Congress approving a declaration of war, the U.S. entered World War I, 100 years ago this Friday, on April 6, 1917. Though the war had started years earlier in Europe, the U.S. had managed to stay neutral up to this point, but events finally forced it to join the Allies, Russia, the U.K. and France, in fighting the Germans.

More than 4 million American men and women went to Europe during this conflict; soldiers, nurses and doctors. On the home front people bought Liberty Bonds and started Victory Gardens. More than 17 million soldiers died in this conflict, more than 117,000 of them Americans – including 14 from Ridgewood.

The Schoolhouse Museum’s new exhibit “From the American Revolution to the 1960’s Revolution”commemorates WWI with actual artifacts, weapons, equipment and uniforms from this period.

To see the WWI display as well as displays highlighting other significant events during this time, from wars, to the roaring twenties to the rocking 60’s; as well as histories of prominent Ridgewood residents, visit the Ridgewood Historical Society’s Schoolhouse Museum, on East Glen Avenue. The museum is open Thursdays and Saturday 1-3pm and Sundays 2-4pm. Please visit www.ridgewoodhistoricalsociety.org. for more information