The aim of the work is to investigate the state and development of the historical memory of the First World War in Ukraine, to find out the reasons that led to the forgetting one of the bloodiest pages of Ukrainian history. The methodology of the investigation is based on using application of the principles of historicism and objectivity, which are important in the characterization of historical events related to the state policy and memory. The historical-genetic method allows to find out the path of the Great War memory in Ukraine. The historical-systemic method provides consideration of the socio-political processes in their interrelationship and cause-to-effect dependence. The scientific novelty consists in systematization of the processed literature and sources regarding commemoration of the First World War, its origin and evolution. The indicated archival documents were introduced into scientific circulation by the author for the first time. Conclusions: The First World War marked the end of the long XIX century and brought drastic changes in the political, social and economic systems of the world. It was a fratricidal war for Ukraine that had extremely important long-term consequences. This is a forgotten war despite more than 4 million Ukrainian participants and about 1,5 million dead people in modern Ukraine. Commemoration in the different countries differs. Though there are certain common trends. Most of participating countries, except for Eastern European countries, actively supported the memory of the dead from the very first years. However, on the territory of the former Russian Empire, revolutionary events and the memory of it displaced memories of the “imperialist” war. The end of the XX century becomes a turning point in the historical policy of individual countries and since 2014, interest in studying the history of the First World War in Ukraine has been actively growing.
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