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World War 1 began on this day. Several incendiary events had occurred before this day. The Germans invaded Belgium finally pushing this conflict into a war.
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On this day the Lusitania sunk. It was torpedoed by a German submarine. Of all the passengers, 128 were Americans. It was targeted while Germany still had unrestricted submarine warfare in effect.
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The first tanks are used in battle on this day. The British used them at Delville Wood. The creators thought that this would cause a turning point in the war. However, they're primitive and don't work as well as they thought.
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On this day President Wilson received the Zimmerman Telegram. This was a message from the German Foreign Secretary to Mexico. Germany promised Mexico would get back parts of the american southwest if they allied themselves with Germany. Mexico declined their offer.
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America entered WWI on this day. Congress declared war on Germany. America fought on the side of France and Britain with the Allied Powers.
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The Selective Service Act was passed by Congress. This authorized the draft. President Wilson was criticized saying that this was an act against democracy.
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This was the day Germany formally surrendered. All nations agreed to stop fighting while peace was being negotiated. Later in 1919 the Treaty of Versailles was signed, therefore, ending the war.