Historical Portrait
People: Bill Bird in WWI American uniform and friend, 1917~
Archive record
Historical photograph of Bill Bird and friend wearing World War I American military uniforms, 1917. Public-domain WWI military portrait from archives.
About this photograph
This photograph shows Bill Bird and a companion, both wearing United States military uniforms. The approximate dating of 1917 places the portrait at the moment America entered the First World War or shortly after.
The United States joined the conflict in April 1917. Over the following months, millions of men registered for service under Selective Service. Local photographic studios found themselves busy with young enlistees who wanted a formal portrait made before they shipped out, often so families could keep a copy at home while they were away.
For many of these men, the military portrait became the only professional photograph ever taken of them. County historical collections across the country now hold thousands of these images as a result.
The record gives no further detail about Bill Bird, his companion, or where the photograph was made. The photographer's name has not survived. The picture is held by the Internet Archive as part of material digitised through California Revealed, a statewide programme that brings together holdings from libraries, museums and historical societies across California.
Compiled from the catalogue record and reference notes on the formats and events involved. The archive record above is the primary source.
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