100th anniversary of the Battle of the Somme

July 1 marks 100 years since the beginning of one of the largest and deadliest offensives of World War I – the Battle of the Somme, in which the French and British armies joined forces on the Western Front against the German Empire. According to History.com, on the first day alone, the British suffered more than 57,000 casualties, and by the time the battle was over on Nov. 18, 1916, the overall death toll among the Germans, French, British and their allies was more than 1.5 million.

Here’s a look back.

See images from the 100th anniversary memorial services: France and Britain mark the 100th anniversary of the deadliest battle of WWI - Battle of the Somme >>>

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