-
War in Serbia
The Austro-Hungarian government declares war on Serbia one month after Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie are assassinated on July 28, 1914. European nations immediately declare war on one another and do so for six days. -
Great Britain declares war on Germany
Germany is declared at war by Great Britain. All of the British Empire's dominions, including South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, India, and Canada, are required to abide by the statement -
German U boat
A German U-Boat torpedoes the British passenger liner Lusitania off the Irish coast. It sinks in 18 minutes, drowning 1,201 persons, including 128 Americans. President Woodrow Wilson subsequently sends four diplomatic protests to Germany. -
re election
American voters re-elect President Woodrow Wilson who had campaigned on the slogan, "He kept us out of war." -
Zimmermann Telegram
The British intercept a telegram sent by Alfred Zimmermann in the German Foreign Office to the German embassies in Washington, D.C., and Mexico City. Its message outlines plans for an alliance between Germany and Mexico against the United States. According to the scheme, Germany would provide tactical support while Mexico would benefit by expanding into the American Southwest, retrieving territories that had once been part of Mexico. -
The United States of America declares war on Germany.
On April 6, 1917, the United States formally declared war against Germany and entered the conflict in Europe. Fighting since the summer of 1914, Britain, France, and Russia welcomed news that American troops and supplies would be directed toward the Allied war effort. -
The first American troops land in France.
The first US troops arrived in France in June 1917. John Figarovsky, of the 1st Infantry Division, was amongst them. -
Compiègne, France, the Germans
-
Compiègne, France, the Germans
-
President Woodrow Wilson's 14 Points
At the Palace of Versailles in France, a German delegation signs the Treaty formally ending the war. Its 230 pages contain terms that have little in common with Wilson's Fourteen Points as the Germans had hoped. Germans back home react with mass demonstrations against the perceived harshness, especially clauses that assess sole blame for the war on Germany.