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Archduke Assassination
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria was one of the main causes of World War 1. Immediately after the assassination Austria-Hungary blamed the Serbian government for the assassination. -
Russia Mobilizes Troops
Russia moves it's troops to try to help Serbian, it's ally, against Austrian-Hungary. This action makes most of the other European powers move their troops. -
World War 1 Starts
World War One begins with the evasion of Belgium by Germany. Germans are the first to use large amounts of gas in battle. The Germans cause the near collapse of the French Line with the gas. -
Lusitania Sinks
A German submarine sinks the Lusitania which was a passenger liner carrying war supplies. It was carrying 1,198 people, 128 of them Americans. The American public didn't know at the time that it was carrying war supplies and was angry at Germany and wanted to join the war. -
First Tanks Deployed
The British use the first tanks to every see battle and they do a good job at clearing barbed wire but fail to be a huge impact in the battle, because they are still primitive. The engineers that built the tanks didn't expect them to be the thing that won them the war anyway. -
Zimmerman Telegram
The British finds a message from Germany to Mexico, telling Mexico to attack the United States. This outrages America and is a big reason that they enter the war. Mexico is offered the lost state of Texas and much of the southern U.S. but they decline the offer. -
Wilson Wants War
President Woodrow Wilson proposes his case for war to Congress. -
U.S. Enters War
Congress authorizes a declaration of war against Germany. The United States enters World War I on the side of France and Britain. -
Selective Service Act
Congress passes the Selective Service Act which authorizes the draft. Although he is criticized and he doesn't really want to do it, President Woodrow Wilson signs the document making it official because he sees no other option. -
Started sending letters to his sister
On this day Leo Joseph Bailey started sending letters to his sister on and off until he was discharged from the military. He sent many letters home some to his mother and father, but most were to his sister who was two years older than him. In one of his letters he mentioned that although she was two years older than him she may outlive him. -
Bailey takes trip to France
Leo Joseph Bailey starts out on his trip to France with the American Legion. The picture shows the letter that he received from the Legion asking him to join their trip. -
Russia and German Peace
The treaty of Brest-Litovsk was singed between the new Bolshevik government of Russia and Germany that gave Germany a huge chunk of land which benefited them against the French, British, and Americans. The treaty of Brest-Litovsk ended Russia's participation in World War 1. -
Battle of Cantigny
The Battle of Cantigny was the first major battle that the United States was on the offensive. The United States fought off a few of the German's counter attacks. -
Chateau-Thierry
The Americans attack the Germans at Chateau-Thierry. This battle would morph into the larger Battle of Belleau Wood. -
Battle of Belleau Wood
The Battle of Belleau Wood begins as the U.S. Marine Corps attacks the Germans across an open field of wheat, suffering huge casualties. It is one of the most important battles that switched the tide of the war. -
Bailey gets injured
Leo Joseph Bailey was wounded at Belleau Wood while diving for his dugout during an artillery attack. He spent several months in hospitals recuperating. He sent letters to his sister during this time but had to write with his left hand because his right was injured. He asked her to send money because he was broke. The picture shows the letter he sent to his sister. -
Battle of St. Mihiel
The Battle of St. Mihiel begins when 300,000 American troops under the direct command of General Pershing fling themselves into the German lines. -
Wilhelm Abdicates
Kaiser Wilhelm abdicates, ending all German hope for a victory. He quietly slipped over the border into the Netherlands where he lives out the remainder of his life in relative peace and writes a self-promoting memoir defending his actions in the war. -
Armistice Signed
An Armistice is signed ending World War 1. -
Leo Joseph Bailey earns award
Leo Joseph Bailey earns Certificate of Appointment to Sergeant. The picture is the certificate and it has an eagle on the front with his name, and notes about his accomplishments. -
Bailey is discharged from military
Leo Joseph Bailey discharges from the U.S. military after 3 years of service. During his service he was in multiple units. The units that he was involved in were Company M, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Division; Prisoner of War Escort Company 85, and Army Service Corps.
