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German Saboteur is arrested
A German officer is arrested after he blew up a railroad bridge crossing the St. Croix river in Maine. The bridge connected New Brunswick, Canada to the United States. Its destruction would disrupt Canadian railways. (pictured: The St Croix-Foxboro Bridge) -
German U-boat sinks RMS Lusitania
The RMS Lusitania, while in route to England from New York, is sunk by a German U-boat. There were more than 1,900 people on board the ship, and 1,100 were killed. 124 of those killed were Americans. The sinking of The Lusitania turned many people against Germany. (picture: RMS Lusitania sinking) -
Germany suspends submarine warfare
Germany suspends its submarine warfare after the U.S. threatens to break off relations with them. Germany's unrestricted submarine warfare stated that if any neutral ships sailed into wartime waters, they could be sunk by the German Navy. This was the tactic that sunk the Lusitania. (picture: map of Germany) -
Zimmerman telegram intercepted
The British intercept a telegram being sent to the Mexicans by the Germans. The telegram said that the Germans were going to resume unrestricted submarine warfare and if the Americans joined the war that Mexico should attack the United States and the Germans would come to their aid. This outrages the Americans, while the Mexicans don't take it seriously. (picture of Zimmerman telegram) -
S.S. Aztec is sunk By German U-Boat
The S.S. Aztec is sunk by a German U-Boat. 28 Americans on board drown. (picture of merchant ship like the SS Aztec) -
America enters WW1
President Wilson signs the declaration to declare war on Germany. The U.S. Senate had voted 82-6 to declare war on Germany, and then the House of Representatives backed them up by voting 373-50. (picture of newspaper after war was declared) -
Over one million American men sign up for service.
Exactly 9,586,508 American men sign up for service under the Selective Service Act on the first day of the war. The men's age range was 21 to 31. (picture: men signing up for the draft for World War I) -
First American troops land in France
On June 25, about 14,000 U.S. troops landed in France to join the war in Europe. The troops were not really prepared for what was about to happen. They didn't have the right training or enough equipment. -
First American soldiers are killed in combat.
The first three American troops were killed in combat. Their names were James Gresham, Merle D. Hay and Thomas F. Enright. (picture: James B. Gresham) -
President Wilson outlines his 14 Points
President Wilson outlines his 14 Points to Congress. This was a speech that said that the War was morally justified. The speech also called for peace. The 14 Points made the conditions for the Armistice that eventually brought the end to the War. (picture: President Woodrow Wilson) -
Spanish Flu epidemic begins at Camp Funston, Kansas
Spanish Flu is reported at Camp Funston, Kansas (now Fort Riley). It sickened 26% of the U.S. Army, which was over 1 million soldiers. The disease later spreads through America and kills 550,000 Americans. (picture: people sick with influenza during the epidemic) -
American troops win the Battle of Cantigny
American troops win the Battle of Cantigny. The soldiers who fought in the battle were from the U.S. 1st Division’s 28th Infantry Regiment. It was a small but important battle. (picture: Battle of Cantigny) -
Battle of Belleau Wood Begins
Two U.S. Marines battalions, Infantry, and Army engineers attacked German troops at Belleau Wood.This was the Marines' first real battle in the war. (picture: map of Belleau Wood) -
U.S. Navy lays mines in the in the North Sea Mine Barrage.
The U.S. Navy lays 56,570 mines in the North Sea Mine Barrage. The Barrage stretches 300 miles long. (picture: mines aboard a ship) -
Germans and Allies sign Treaty of Versailles.
Germans and Allies sign Treaty of Versailles on June 28, 1919, ending World War 1. The Treaty ended the state of war between Germany and the Allied Powers. It was signed exactly five years to the day of the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand. (picture: Treaty of Versailles)
