Peace Cross, World War I memorial in Bladensburg, US

The Peace Cross is a World War I memorial in Bladensburg, Maryland, standing at the intersection of Bladensburg Road, Baltimore Avenue, and Annapolis Road. The structure consists of concrete with a pink granite finish and displays a bronze tablet bearing the names of 49 fallen servicemen.

The American Legion commissioned the cross for 49 Prince George's County servicemen killed overseas in World War I. Architect John Joseph Earley designed it, and it was erected between 1919 and 1925; Navy Secretary Josephus Daniels spoke at the 1919 groundbreaking, and dedication followed in July 1925. The land passed to the Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission in 1961, and the memorial was rededicated on Veterans Day 2022 after a restoration.

The word "VALOR" is cut into the concrete below the cross arms, and the base carries three more: endurance, courage and devotion. A bronze tablet lists the 49 Prince George's County men lost in World War I and quotes Woodrow Wilson: "The right is more precious than peace."

The memorial stands at a busy road intersection and is accessible from all sides, making it easy for visitors to approach from any direction. The area has limited parking, so planning your visit in advance is helpful.

The cross design mirrors the markers used for American soldiers buried in European cemeteries, connecting local and international remembrance. This link helps visitors understand the global scope of the conflict.