-
On this day, the Archduke of Austria-Hungary was shot by Gavrilo Princip. This event is often considered the spark for World War 1, which would grow because of entangling alliances.
-
Germany goes to war with France due to the different alliances between the countries resulting in a huge war.
-
Great Britain goes to war with Germany because of the alliance between Britain and France.
-
The Lusitania was a British ocean liner that was built to compete for the highly lucrative transatlantic passenger trade. It ended up being sunk by a German U-boat. At the time, the Lusitania was carrying rifle ammunition and shells.
-
American voters decided to re-elect Woodrow Wilson as president because he campaigned on the slogan "He kept us out of war" and everyone agreed that he did. He was involved with the Pancha Villa incident which helped prove that America wasn't ready to get involved with WW1.
-
British code breakers intercepted an encrypted message from Zimmermann which was intended for the German ambassador to Mexico.
-
The U.S first declares war on Germany on April 6, 1917. A few days before that president Woodrow Wilson gives a speech stating "The world must be safe for democrocy" afterwards he goes to Congress and asks for a decloration of war on Germany which is when America first gets involved in the WW1.
-
The Espionage Act was supposed to add new limits to America's first Amendment the charge of the Espionage was to promote the success of the United States' enemies. The overall Act states that anyone who tries to interfere with America's war effort would face a 20 year prison sentence and a fine of $10,000.
-
The British 3rd Army releases over 300 tanks on German trenches near Cambrai, France. This is the first big tank attack in WW1 and two German divisions were taken out.
-
The United States declares war on Austria-Hungary. Before this, Wilson joined France and Britain in hopes of scaring off the Italians. Wilson wants to meet the force which results the U.S in going to war with Austria-Hungary.
-
The Spanish Influenza was a deadly illness that ended up killing between 20-40 million. It lasted between 1918-1919 shortly after U.S entered the war. it was during this time that people thought they just caught a common cold but instead led into something much worse.
-
The United States go to war against Germany for three weeks. This was the first battle that the U.S faced casulties with over 5,000 deaths.
-
554 Americans were surrounded by thousands of Germans for six days. This however gave enough time for their allies to sneak in and take out the Germans. The Americans were hiding behind trees, keeping the Germans distracted. The Americans sent out a signal to pigeons but only one made it alive. Cher Ami (the only pigeon) saved the Americans and was awarded a medal of honor.
-
The Armistice was the agreement that had stopped the fighting on the Western front so a peace treaty could be declared. This was essentially the beginning of the end for WW1 as things began to calm down from that point forward.
-
Great Britain and the U.S meet up to sign a peace treaty. Germany and Russia weren't invited to the signing, although they all wanted world peace. The treaty basically states they want Germany to pay for the war and damage they caused.
