Video: 'Jeannette Rankin Documentary'
(Sunday, March 4, 1917) — Republican Jeannette Rankin of Montana took her seat today as the first woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives. Continue reading First woman elected to U.S. House takes assumes office 100 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 4 1917)
(Sunday, March 4, 1917, 12:04 p.m. EST) — U.S. President Woodrow Wilson was inaugurated for a second term today with the administration of the oath by Chief Justice Edward D. White in Wilson’s official room in the Capitol, just back of the Senate Chamber.
As March 4 fell on a Sunday, the formal public inauguration ceremonies were delayed until the following day (March 5, 1917).
Video: 'Why Puerto Ricans are U.S. Citizen'
(Friday, March 2, 1917) — Puerto Ricans were granted U.S. citizenship today as President Woodrow Wilson signed the Jones-Shafroth Act. Continue reading Puerto Ricans granted U.S. citizenship 100 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 2 1917)
Video: 'Dixie Jass Band One -Step -Original Dixieland Jass Band Victor 18255-A Original Record 1917'
(Monday, February 26, 1917) — The Original Dixieland Jass Band (an all-white group) made what’s generally regarded as the first commercial jazz recording, “Dixie Jass Band One-Step” and “Livery Stable Blues,” today in New York for the Victor label. Continue reading Original Dixieland Jass Band records first commercial jazz recording 100 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 26 1917)
Video: '1917 Immigration Act'
(Monday, February 5, 1917; during World War I) — Congress today overrode President Woodrow Wilson’s veto of the Immigration Act of 1917 aimed at preventing “undesirables” and anyone born in the “Asiatic Barred Zone” from entering the U.S. Continue reading Congress overrides President Wilson, passes immigration bill 100 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 5 1917)
(Saturday, February 3, 1917, 2:00 p.m. EST; during the Atlantic U-boat campaign of World War I) — President Woodrow Wilson announced today before a joint session of Congress that the United States had broken off diplomatic relations with Germany, after that nation had announced a policy of unrestricted submarine warfare.
Wilson did not declare that the U.S. would enter the war against Germany, though “preparations for war are being made” as The New York Times reported.
Video: 'The Sussex Pledge WW1'
(Wednesday, January 31, 1917; during the Atlantic U-boat campaign of World War I) — The German government announced today that its U-Boats would once again be allowed to practice unrestricted warfare against all allied shipping and any neutral ships that crossed into the waters around the British Isles. Continue reading Germany to resume unrestricted submarine warfare 100 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 31 1917)
(Monday, January 22, 1917; during World War I) — With scant notice of his coming, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson appeared before the Senate today to plead for an end to war in Europe, calling for “peace without victory.”
(Wednesday, January 17, 1917) — Ownership of the Virgin Islands in the Danish West Indies passed from Denmark to the United States for $25 million in gold coin today when U.S. Secretary of State Robert Lansing and Danish Minister Constantin Brun formally exchanged the Treaty of the Danish West Indies in Washington.
Video: 'The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century (4of7): Slaughter' (Battle of Verdun ends at 12:26)
(Wednesday, December 18, 1916; on the Western Front during World War I) — The Battle of Verdun, one of the largest battles of the First World War on the Western Front between the German and French armies, ended today in a French victory. Continue reading 10-month Battle of Verdun ends in French victory 100 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 18 1916)
