August 25, German forces began an assault on the Belgian city of Louvain, the Oxford of Belgium, a university town that was home to an important library. Three days of shelling and murder left 209 civilians dead, 1,100 buildings incinerated, and the library destroyed, along with its 230,000 books, priceless manuscripts, and artifacts. The assault was deemed an affront not just to Belgium but to the world. Wilson, a past president of Princeton University, felt deeply the destruction of Louvain, according to his friend Colonel House; the president feared the war would throw the world back three or four centuries.
On August 25, German forces launched an aggressive attack on the Belgian city of Louvain, a notable university town, which resulted in catastrophic damage. Over three days, the relentless shelling and violence claimed the lives of 209 civilians, destroyed 1,100 buildings, and obliterated the town's cherished library. The loss included 230,000 volumes, countless priceless manuscripts, and cultural artifacts, marking a devastating blow not only to Belgium, but to global heritage as well.
The destruction of Louvain deeply affected Woodrow Wilson, the former president of Princeton University. His friend, Colonel House, noted that Wilson viewed these events as a significant tragedy, expressing concern that the ongoing war could regress civilization by several centuries. This sentiment underscores the broader impact of the conflict on cultural identity and historical preservation, highlighting the war’s far-reaching consequences.
