UPPER LAKE, Calif. – The 100th anniversary of one of the world's greatest tragedies will happen this summer, and it will be the topic of the next Lake County History Roundtable on Monday, June 6.

The roundtable will meet beginning at 6:15 p.m. at the Tallman Hotel, 9550 Main St. in Upper Lake.

The Battle of the Somme took place between July 1 and Nov. 18, 1916, on both sides of upper reaches of the River Somme in France.

It was the largest battle of World War I on the Western Front; more than one million men were wounded or killed, making it one of the bloodiest battles in human history. 

Local historian Zane Jensen will explore what led to the battle, the battle itself and the aftermath of the Battle of the Somme. 

Jensen, a history teacher with Terrace Middle School in Lakeport, will give a multimedia presentation that will describe the technology that drove the carnage.

In addition, Phil Smoley will present some casualty statistics on World War I, and how they compare to other wars.

The History Roundtable meets the first Monday of most months. Admission is free.

For more information, contact Phil Smoley at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Zane Jensen at  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .