World War I Museum Celebrates 1914 Christmas Truce with Soccer Tournament, Watch Party

The National World War I Museum and Memorial is hosting its fifth annual commemoration of the moment in 1914 when soldiers from both sides paused from their killing to celebrate Christmas together this Tuesday, Dec. 26.

Activities include a free English Premier League Watch Party with optional all-you-can-eat and drink beer and bloody marys buffet and a 3v3 soccer tournament, according to a museum release.

The matches which will be played on the southeast lawn of the memorial by Penn Valley Park overlooking Union Station.

This is the fifth year for the annual World War I Christmas truce celebration at the World War I Museum. (Photo courtesy National World War I Museum)

The watch party begins at 8 a.m. and the truce tournament begins at 9 a.m. The truce tournament championship match will be at approximately 1:30 p.m. The event is being hosted by Sporting Club, the World War I Museum and The Soccer Lot.

The event commemorates the Christmas Truce of 1914, in which the battles of World War I on the Western and Eastern Fronts temporarily subsided, according to the museum.

Members of both sides laid down their arms in a time of war to celebrate a day of peace by venturing out to “No Man’s Land” to exchange gifts, sing carols and play soccer.

The event also highlights the National World War I Museum’s online exhibition, The Christmas Truce, Winter 1914, which features essays from renowned scholars about the remarkable event, dozens of first-hand accounts from soldiers on the front lines and a feature allowing anyone to declare their own truce and share via social media.

Registration for the soccer tournament is closed, but patrons can RSVP for the free EPL Watch Party, which features a British pub-themed atmosphere and the ability to watch matches on the museum’s 29-foot and 10-foot screens. For more information or to register visit thetrucekc.com.

Other sponsors include Ivy Investments, the Neighborhood Tourist Development Fund of Kansas City, Missouri, State Street, Central States Beverages, The Roasterie and Sports Radio 810 AM.