1917: A Year in the Collections

On April 6, 1917, the U.S. declared war on Germany, entering the First World War in order that the world would “be made safe for democracy.” The fight for woman's suffrage continued with protests and arrests at the White House as well as increased public sympathy. The Russian Revolutions overthrew Tsarist autocracy and ultimately led to the formation of the Soviet Union. Construction of the Smithsonian's Freer Gallery of Art began.