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Ford Company Wage increase
January 5, 1914 - Basic wage rates are increased by Ford Motor Company. Workers now would receive $5 per day for eight hours of work versus $2.40 per day for nine hours previously. -
The U.S. Stays Neutral
President Woodrow Wilson announces that the United States will stay officially neutral in the European conflict that would become World War I. World War I hostilities had begun on June 28 when the Archduke of Austria and his wife, Franz Ferdinand and Sophie were killed by a Serb nationalist in Sarajevo. Hostilities would begin on July 28 when Austro-Hungary declared war on Serbia for failing to meet conditions set after the assassinations. -
First Telephone Converation
January 25, 1915 - Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas A. Watson conduct the first telephone conversation between New York and San Francisco. -
The U.S. Coast Guard Establihed
January 28, 1915 - The United States Coast Guard is established, replacing the responsibilities formerly entailed within the services and stations of the U.S. Life-Saving Services. -
The Lusitania Sinks
May 7, 1915 - The British ship Lusitania is sunk by a German U-boat submarine, causing 128 American passengers to be lost. Germany, although it warned of the pending crises to passengers, issued an apology to the United States and promised payments. -
Dwight D. Eisenhower 2nd Lieutenant
June 15, 1915 - At graduation ceremonies of the United States Military Academy, future general and president Dwight D. Eisenhower is commissioned into the army as a 2nd Lieutenant. -
Rural Credits Act
July 17, 1916 - Financial aid to farmers is awarded by the passage of the Rural Credits Act. These payments would be further strengthened with the passage of a second bill, the Warehouse Act, on August 11. -
Purchase of the Virgin Islands
August 4, 1916 - The United States purchases the Virgin Islands from Denmark for $25 million and would take possession of the islands on March 31 of the next year. -
Wilson's Second Term
November 7, 1916 - Woodrow Wilson won a second term as President with his election in the Electoral College, 277 to 254 over Republican candidate Charles E. Hughes. -
U.S. Enters WWI
April 6, 1917 - Four days after receiving the request from President Woodrow Wilson, the United States Congress declares war on Germany and join the allies in World War I.