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Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austo-Hungarian throne was assassinated by a Serbian nationalist. This ignites a chain of events that results in World War I.
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Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia.
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Germany declares war on Russia.
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Germany declares war on France.
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In an effort to capture Paris quickly, Germany invades neutral Belgium. Britain responds by declaring war on Germany.
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Austria-Hungary declares war on Russia.
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The British ship, the Lusitania, is torpedoed and sinks off the Irish coast. There was a total of 1,198 passengers drowed including 114 Americans.
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Germany responds to U.S. anger by ending its policy of sinking ships without warning. This eased tension between the countries and comforted the American people.
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Henry Ford charters a "Peace Ship," in an effort to end World War I. The mission was widely mocked by the press, which referred to the ocean liner as the “Ship of Fools”.
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President Woodrow Wilson publicly demands that Germany end unrestricted submarine warfare.Germany ignores his demands, increasing tension between the US and Germany.
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Woodrow Wilson re-elected President of the United States with campaign slogan: "He kept us out of the war". Ironically, he asks for a declaration of war the next year.
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Britain intercepts and translates German Foreign Secretary Zimmermann's telegram to Mexico. It urged iMexico to entrer into war against the United States.
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The Associated Press publishes the "Zimmermann Telegram," which proposed a German alliance with Mexico. It also promised Mexico recovery of lost territory in Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas.
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In a speech asking Congress to declare war against Germany, President Wilson says, "The world must be made safe for democracy." This became one of President Wilson's most famous lines.
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The United States declares war on the Central Powers. Six Senators and 50 Representatives vote against the declaration.
