On April 2, 1917, President Woodrow Wilson somberly asked Congress to declare war on Imperial Germany. When Congress overwhelmingly voted to do so, the United States changed the role of our country in the world. American men and women joined the American Expeditionary Forces and headed overseas to take part in a brutal, modern war that was becoming increasingly closer to a stalemate. On the home front, American industry and the manpower helped arm and feed the Allied forces while leading to incredible social change. Combined, the soldiers in Europe and the citizens at home helped make the world” safe for democracy” and impacted America in ways we still feel today. It was a coming of age experience for the country - a crucial part of America’s story as the United States emerged as a world power. As we observe the 100th anniversary of American involvement in World War I, I plan to investigate the war in general, the impact of America’s participation, and the heroism of those that served in the best way possible– by following in the footsteps of the Doughboys on the Western front in Europe.