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Archduke assasination
Archduke Franz Ferdinand is assassinated in Sarajevo. His death is the event that sparks World War I. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/archduke-franz-ferdinand-assassinated en.wikipedia.org -
World War I begins
July 28, 1914 WWI started in Europe with Austria-Hungary declaring war on Serbia. It would be another year until the United States would join. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-i/world-war-i-history
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Russians are defeated at Battle of Tannenberg
On the eastern front, Germans shatter the Russian Second Army and take over 92,000 prisoners at the Battle of Tannenberg. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-i/world-war-i-history
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The Lusitania sinks
A German submarine sinks the passenger liner Lusitania. The ship carries 1,198 people, 128 of them Americans. http://www.history.com/topics/world-war-i/world-war-i-history
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First Tanks
The British employ the first tanks ever used in battle, at Delville Wood. Although they are useful at breaking through barbed wire and clearing a path for the infantry. This invention is still used today. http://history1900s.about.com/od/1910s/a/World-War-1-Timeline.htm
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America enters WWI
On April 6, 1917, the U.S. joined its allies--Britain, France, and Russia--to fight in World War I. Under the command of Major General John J. Pershing, more than 2 million U.S. soldiers fought on battlefields in France. Many Americans were not in favor of the U.S. entering the war and wanted to remain neutral. http://history1900s.about.com/od/1910s/a/World-War-1-Timeline.htm
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Rickenbacker enlists in US Army
When the United States declared war on Germany in 1917, he enlisted in the US Army. He was 27. He left for France pretty soon after he enlisted. He arrived as Sergeant First Class. http://www.historynet.com/captain-eddie-rickenbacker-americas-world-war-i-ace-of-aces.htm http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQNo3oNSbY61j4tkqeiQ6krWdUj1skTiqrWzK80NCZBHfby2p33CQ:upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/88/RickenbackerUSAF.jpg/175px-RickenbackerUSAF.jpg -
Selective Service Act
Congress passes the Selective Service Act authorizing the draft. Although criticized for destroying democracy at home while fighting for it abroad, President Wilson says he sees no other option and signs the bill into law. http://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/us-congress-passes-selective-service-act http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQFEQFbcQTy7-OpgDkjiMyu97PPadkHHZNBUvKbgCX5QnrsrXwxXw:www.psaresearch.com/images/background_and_future_3img.gif -
Arrived for Training
He left for France pretty soon after he enlisted. He arrived as Sergeant First Class. http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=eddie%20rickenback http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legendaryauctions.com%2FItemImages%2F000097%2F100703_1134_lg.jpeg&imgrefurl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.legendaryauctions.com%2Fcaptain_eddie_rickenbacker_military_portrait-lot97011.aspx&h=1008&w=800&tbnid=DZgBYjc4cKtKaM%3A&zoom=1&q=eddie%20rickenbacker&docid=vRwImhfyb2_MGM&ei=zWyIVOXNH9WeyASgkIGgAQ&tbm=isch&ve -
Shot down first plane
Rickenbacker shot down his first plane April 29th. This would be the first of 26 aeriel vitories. http://www.historynet.com/captain-eddie-rickenbacker-americas-world-war-i-ace-of-aces.htm http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSK_1aqTp8Z1z45-chT3SXUTnXYQshqC7bCrpK9hRYw4r06smxd4Q:images.nationalgeographic.com/wpf/media-content/photos/000/801/cache/80101_990x742-cb1400764320.jpg -
Became an ace
May 28th he shot down his 5th plane, becoming an ace. This was far from the end for Rickenbacker- he would continue to go on to win 21 more aeriel victories. http://www.historynet.com/captain-eddie-rickenbacker-americas-world-war-i-ace-of-aces.htm http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS9wz-JBEpqSfJGh4NcwSSMJtF89G3bMmNOoDSpwr80zrsCb1_Z7w:upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6e/Eddie_Rickenbacker_Nieuport_28.jpg -
Battle of Cantigny
The Battle of Cantigny is the first major American offensive of the war. Though small in scale, the Americans fight bravely and soon go on to larger attacks against German positions. http://history1900s.about.com/od/1910s/a/WWI-Timeline.htm http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ3ce_92FRKI3oXDlhgSoJynE_GKjTksBgLjPDw4qdr7peDXSXP:www.worldwar1.com/tripwire/jpg/0911cantigny.jpg -
Battle of Belleau Wood
The Battle of Belleau Wood begins as the U.S. Marine Corps attacks the Germans across an open field of wheat, suffering huge casualties. http://history1900s.about.com/od/1910s/a/WWI-Timeline.htm http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQmpDw5q6DEBWL4zl1s-_2W_FB4i9EUQCV832KE9E8nHwkPzxSz:https://www.mca-marines.org/images/BLOG/5-schoonoverpainting.png -
Became commander of the squadron.
He was already the captain, but was then promoted to commander. http://www.historynet.com/captain-eddie-rickenbacker-americas-world-war-i-ace-of-aces.htm http://t0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSLCEpWVm_Tgwlcl2CQZXZKZvjrqvgkbUTLfzw3N11UltMLxmC1lQ:www.mottsmilitarymuseum.org/images/spec/ric3.jpg -
Last aeriel victory
October 30th Rickenbacker claimed his last plane. In just six months he had 26 aeriel victories; the most of any American in World War I http://www.historynet.com/captain-eddie-rickenbacker-americas-world-war-i-ace-of-aces.htm http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRgY9yUZweDvJ4RAhlgGv813wb7sINcXvRvBRdmO6l-KxTe_rgCJg:media.web.britannica.com/eb-media/05/69205-050-D97979E0.jpg -
World War I ends
A treaty is signed on the Western Front and World War I is officially over. http://history1900s.about.com/od/1910s/a/World-War-1-Timeline.htm http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTeZb95WsxTUAmZlRTidseW-y5J5K8933s1k4jMG1MybCxn5M25-w:www.yorku.ca/laps/ww1/images/header1.jpg
