🪖 World War I Draft Archive (1917-1918): A Nation Mobilized for War
📌 Explore the World War I Draft Archive (1917-1918), featuring draft registration cards, exemption notices, lottery results, and historic photographs. A vital resource for historians, genealogists, and educators, uncovering the stories of millions of men called to serve in America’s first modern draft.
📜 The World War I Draft Archival Collection: A Window into America’s Military Mobilization
📖 The Role of the WWI Draft in U.S. Military History
The World War I Draft Archival Collection offers an unparalleled glimpse into the Selective Service process that mobilized millions of American men for the Great War. This collection includes:
✔ Draft Registration Cards 🪖
✔ Notices of Military Enrollment & Physical Examinations 📜
✔ Lottery Draw Results & Exemption Certifications 🏛️
✔ Presidential Proclamations for Registration & Conscription 🏛️
✔ Historical Photographs of Registrants & Inductees 📷
Between 1917 and 1918, nearly 24 million men (98% of the eligible male population under 46) registered for military service. This archive is a treasure trove for historians, genealogists, educators, and students, providing firsthand accounts of military bureaucracy, personal sacrifices, and national wartime mobilization.
World War I Draft and Selective Service Document Collection of the GG Archives includes documents and photographs, including a Notice of Certification to the District Board, Notice of Enrollment Under Military Law, Draft Registration Cards, Registration Certificates, Questions & Answers, and more.
Bulletin of Information for Persons Registered for the Draft - 1917
1917 Bulletin of Information for Persons Registered for the draft from The government printing office provides all of the information about the draft, who is eligible for it, and how claims to avoid the draft must be dealt with by the local draft boards and the draftee.
🪖 WWI Draft Registration Cards (1917-1918): A Window into America’s Military Mobilization
The World War I Draft Registration Cards (1917-1918) are an invaluable historical resource that document the mass mobilization of American men during one of the most significant conflicts of the 20th century. These cards provide a detailed record of millions of men—including both U.S.-born citizens and immigrants—who registered for the draft under the Selective Service Act of 1917.
With over 24 million men (nearly 98% of those under 46) registering, these records serve as a vital tool for genealogists, historians, and educators seeking to understand the social, military, and immigration history of the era.
Important Notice to All Men Selected for Military Service - 1918
The day and hour specified on the Classification List of this Local Board and on the order and notice of induction into military service which accompanies this notice for you to report to this Local Board for military duty is the time that marks your actual obligation as a soldier of the United States.
🪖 WWI Draft Notice & Physical Examination (1917): The Call to Serve
The Notice of Call and to Appear for Physical Examination was a critical step in the conscription process under the Selective Service Act of 1917. This official document, mailed to eligible men, informed them of their obligation to report for a medical examination—a decisive factor in determining their fitness for military service.
This page provides a firsthand look at the draft system through the example of Christian (Ludvig) Gjenvik’s notice from Madison, Minnesota, dated July 31, 1917. It offers valuable insights into how young men—both citizens and immigrants—were selected, examined, and prepared for duty during America’s entry into World War I.
This document is an essential resource for historians, genealogists, and educators studying military history, immigration, and social dynamics during WWI.
🪖 WWI Certification for Military Duty (1917): The Draft Process in Action
The Notice of Certification for Military Duty was a formal step in the U.S. Selective Service process, marking the moment when a drafted man was officially assigned to military service. This document confirmed that Christian Gjenvik, an immigrant from Norway, had not claimed exemption and was thereby certified for military service in the United States Army on August 15, 1917.
This primary source document offers valuable insights into the wartime draft system, including the role of local and district draft boards, the criteria for exemption, and the legal obligations of registrants. For historians, genealogists, and educators, it provides firsthand evidence of the bureaucratic processes that shaped military mobilization during World War I.
The Proclamation for the First Draft Registration, 1917
The Proclamation of the President for the first registration of 1917 was prepared before the passage of the act and was issued on the day the law became effective.
Joint Resolution for Second Draft Registration, 5 June and 24 August 1918
A Presidential Proclamation on that day set June 5 for registering the new 21-year-olds in the continental United States. Further registration of such persons was held on August 24, 1918.
Proclamation for the Third Draft Registration, 12 September 1918
The proclamation for the major registration of all those between the ages of 18 and 45 not previously registered, which was to be held on September 12, 1918, followed the example of the first proclamation.
🪖 The First WWI Draft Lottery (July 20, 1917): America’s Call to Arms
The first draft lottery of World War I, held on July 20, 1917, was a monumental event in U.S. history, determining the order in which millions of young American men would be called to serve. Conducted in room 226 of the Senate office building, this event set the precedent for modern conscription in America.
The draft ensured that 687,000 soldiers would be selected from 1.37 million examined men—with over 10 million registered for future service. The first number drawn was 258, by Secretary of War Newton D. Baker, marking the beginning of America’s large-scale military mobilization for the Great War.
For historians, genealogists, teachers, and students, this article provides a rare look into the bureaucratic, social, and emotional aspects of the draft—a process that shaped families, communities, and military history for generations.
The Selective Draft - 69 Questions and Answers - World War 1
Selected for Our Readers From Two Thousand Questions and Answers About the War: A Catechism of the Methods of Fighting, Travelling, and Living; Of the Armies, Navies and Air Fleets Personalities, Politics and Geography of the Warring Countries.
The Selective Service System - Its Aims and Accomplishments - Its Future - 1917
We are in this war to attain victory. We have taken one significant step, but it is only one step. As our military need for men grows, so will our industrial demand for labor grow. We have hacked our armies' first increment out with a broadax because there was time for no greater refinement.
Three Draft Registrations Required During World War 1
Summary of the draft registrations for the Great War and registration chronology for World War 1, 1917-18. The main facts about the World War's three registrations are summarized chronologically.
State of New York Military Census and Inventory of 1917
The card was provided to individuals who completed the Military Census and Inventory Questionnaires of 1917 for New York. Highlights and Explanations for Key parts of this questionnaire are also included.
State of New York Notice of Enrollment Under Military Law - 1917-06-22
When making the same, the officer making the enrollment shall serve a notice of such enrollment upon each person enrolled by delivering such notice to him or leaving it with someone of suitable age and discretion at his residence.
