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Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
Whilst travelling to Bosnia with his wife, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the Austrian throne, and his wife, have a bomb thrown into their car, though it misses. Later on in their visit, one of the assassins sees and shoots them. The Austrians, believing that the assassin was a Serbian nationalist, declare war on Serbia. This is significant to the U.S. because it marks the start of the war. -
Great Britain Declares War
In response to Germany invading Belgium to get to France, Great Britain declares war on Germany, including all of Britain's dominion's, Canada, New Zealand, India, and South Africa. This is also the day that the U.S. declared neutrality. -
Lusitania is Sunk
The British Passenger ship, The Lusitania, is torpedoed by a German U-boat, killing 1,201 people, including 128 Americans. This causes President Wilson to send Germany 4 diplomatic protests. -
President Wilson Re-elected
The U.S. President Woodrow Wilson is re-elected by AMerican voters, having campaigned with the slogan, "He kept us out of war." -
The Zimmermann Telegram
The British intercept a telegram from Alfred Zimmermann of the German Foreign office outlining plans for an alliance between Mexico and Germany against the United States. The telegram describes how Germany would aid Mexico in taking back territories from the U.S. in exchange for Mexico joining the Central Powers. -
U.S. Declares War
The United States declares war on Germany after Wilson asks congress for the declaration and it passes. -
American Troops Land in France
The first American troops land in France. -
The Sedition Act
The Sedition Act of 1918, created to extend upon the Espionage Act of 1917, made it an offense to speak of the American government or war effort in a negative way. -
The Armistice
In a railway car in France, the Germans sign the Armistice, which goes into effect at 11 am, the fighting still raging along the western front until then. -
War Formally Ends
In the palace of Versailles, a German delegate signs the treaty that ends the war. Releasing America from it as well as all the other countries involved.