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World War I officially starts with the Treaty of Versailles.
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the United States, under President Woodrow Wilson, had maintained strict neutrality, other than providing material assistance to the Allies.
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When a German submarine sank the British ocean liner Lusitania, killing 128 U.S. citizens out of a total 1,200 dead, the United States, though in uproar, remained neutral.
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British intercepted a message, called the Zimmerman Note,asking the government of Mexico to declare war on the U.S., if war broke out between the U. S. and Germany. The note also promised to help Mexico regain the territory of Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico if Mexico declared war on the United States. This note was the final push that Wilson needed to turn public sentiment towards war.
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This declaration meant that German U-boat commanders were suddenly authorized to sink all ships that they believed to be providing aid of any sort to the Allies.
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The Housotonic was the first victim of Germany's new lift of restrictions.
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Wilson tried hard to keep the United States neutral, by the spring of 1917, the situation had changed significantly, and neutrality no longer seemed feasible. Germany’s unrestricted submarine warfare was taking its toll, as American ships, both cargo and passenger, were sunk one after another.
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on April 2, Wilson appeared before Congress and requested a declaration of war.
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US enters warU.S. congress responds to Woodraw's war request officially declaring war on Germany on April 6, 1917.
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Congress passes the Selective Service Act authorizing the draft. Although criticized for destroying democracy at home while fighting for it abroad, President Wilson claims he sees no other option and signs the bill into law.
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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.
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Trench warfareThe Battle of Belleau Wood begins as the U.S. Marine Corps attacks the Germans across an open field of wheat, suffering huge casualties.
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WWI: An armistice (ceasefire) came into effect at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918
