Video: 'The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century (4of7): Slaughter' (Apr. 9 1917, at 41:20)

(Easter Monday, April 9, 1917, 5:30 a.m. CEST; on the Western Front during World War I) — The Battle of Arras, a British offensive against German defenses near the French city of Arras, began today east of Arras, with the 12th Division attacking Observation Ridge, north of the Arras—Cambrai road. Continue reading British offensive against German defenses near Arras, France begins 100 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 9 1917) →

Video: 'Copy of Over There -- the only studio recording made by George M. Cohan'

(Saturday, April 7, 1917) — American entertainer and songwriter George M. Cohan, galvanized by America’s entry into World War I the day before, wrote his rousing call to arms, “Over There.” Continue reading George M. Cohan composes patriotic song ‘Over There’ 100 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 7 1917) →

(Monday, April 2, 1917, 8:35 p.m. local time; during World War I) — U.S. President Woodrow Wilson asked Congress tonight to declare war against Germany, saying, “The world must be made safe for democracy.”

Wilson cited Germany’s violation of its pledge to suspend unrestricted submarine warfare in the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean as well as its attempts to entice Mexico into an alliance against the United States.

Video: 'President Woodrow Wilson's War Speech - 1917 - WW1 - Hear the Text'

Video: 'The Great War episode 5 Mutiny' (April 1, 1917, at 7:55)

(Sunday, April 1, 1917; during World War I) — British poet Wilfred Owen was blown up by a trench mortar today near the town of St. Quentin in northern France and spent several days unconscious on an embankment lying amongst the remains of one of his fellow officers. Continue reading British poet Wilfred Owen badly wounded in World War I 100 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 1 1917) →

Video: 'The Great War episode 5 Mutiny' (March 15, 1917, at 43:27)

(Thursday, March 15, 1917, 3:00 p.m. MSK; during World War I) — Seven days into the February Revolution, Emperor Czar Nicholas II of Russia today abdicated the throne in favor of his brother, Grand Duke Mikhail Alexandrovich. Continue reading Emperor Czar Nicholas II of Russia abdicates 100 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 15 1917) →

Video: 'The Great War episode 5 Mutiny' (March 14, 1917, at 43:11)

(Wednesday, March 14, 1917; during World War I) — Six days into the February Revolution, soldiers hostile to Czar Nicholas II, with machine guns and artillery, halted his train today about a hundred miles short of the Petrograd. Continue reading Train carrying Czar Nicholas II stopped by hostile soldiers 100 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 14 1917) →