Video: 'The Royal Air Force: Past and Present (Part One 1912-1937)' (Apr. 1, 1918, at 11:58)
(Monday, April 1, 1918; during World War I) — Britain’s Royal Air Force (RAF), the oldest independent air force in the world, came into being today as the Royal Flying Corps and the Royal Naval Air Service were merged into a single, independent entity. Continue reading Britain’s Royal Air Force founded 100 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 1 1918)
Video: '1. Weltkrieg - Westfront 1918/1 (Januar bis Juni)' ('Spring Offensive' first 4 videos; Mar. 21, 1918, begins on second video at 4:45)
(Thursday, March 21, 1918, artillery bombardment began at 4:40 a.m. local time; on the Western Front during World War I) — Germany launched its Spring Offensive on the Western Front today with Operation Michael, hoping to defeat the Allies before the overwhelming human and materiel resources of the United States could be fully deployed. Continue reading Germany launches Spring Offensive on Western Front 100 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 21 1918)
Video: 'The Great War episode 5 Mutiny'(Treaty of Brest-Litovsk at 52:57)
(Sunday, March 3, 1918, 4:00-5:30 p.m. local time) — The Treaty of Brest-Litovsk, a peace treaty between the new Bolshevik government of Soviet Russia and the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Bulgaria, and the Ottoman Empire), was signed today at the Brest-Litovsk fortress in what is now Brest, Belarus, ending Russia’s participation in World War I and defaulting on all of Imperial Russia’s commitments to the Triple Entente alliance. Continue reading Russia signs separate peace treaty with Central Powers 100 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 3 1918)
Video: 'American Survivors Of Torpedoed Transport 'tuscania' (1914-1918)'
(Tuesday, February 5, 1918, approximately 6:40 p.m. GMT) — The Cunard liner SS Tuscania, which was transporting about 2,000 American troops to Europe, was torpedoed by a German U-boat tonight in the Irish Sea with the loss of approximately 210 of the troops and crew. Continue reading SS Tuscania torpedoed off Irish coast 100 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 5 1918)
Video: 'Wilson's 14 Points & League of Nations Explained'
(Tuesday, January 8, 1918, noon EST) — U.S. President Woodrow Wilson outlined his Fourteen Points, a statement of principles for peace that was to be used for negotiations to end World War I, before a joint session of Congress today in Washington, D.C. Continue reading Wilson outlines Fourteen Points for lasting peace 100 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 8 1918)
(Wednesday, December 26, 1917; during World War I) — In what was possibly the largest American experiment with nationalization, President Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation today authorizing the government to take over operation of the nation’s railroads.
The Interstate Commerce Commission (ICC) had recommended federal control of the railroad industry to ensure efficient transport of troops and materials for the war effort.
(Wednesday, December 12, 1917, 11:15 p.m. CET; during World War I) — A train carrying at least 1,000 French troops on their way home for leave from the Italian front derailed tonight while descending a steep hill in Modane, France, killing at least 700 troops in France’s greatest rail disaster.
Video: 'GENERAL ALLENBY'S ENTRY INTO JERUSALEM'
(Tuesday, December 11, 1917, noon local time; during the Battle of Jerusalem, part of the Middle Eastern theatre of World War I) – British General Edmund Allenby entered Jerusalem today, two days after his forces expelled the Ottoman Turks. Continue reading British General Edmund Allenby enters Jerusalem 100 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 11 1917)
Video: 'The Halifax Explosion Documentary' (Dec. 6, 1917, at 11:45)
(Thursday, December 6, 1917, 9:04:35 a.m. AST; during World War I) — Some 2,000 people died and another 9,000 were injured today when a French cargo ship laden with high explosives, collided with the Norwegian vessel SS Imo in the Narrows, a strait connecting the upper Halifax Harbour to Bedford Basin, setting off a blast that devastated Halifax, Nova Scotia. Continue reading Some 2,000 people die in Halifax Explosion 100 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 6 1917)
Video: '1917 Revolution: bloodshed begins'
(Wednesday, November 7, 1917/October 25, 1917 (O.S.), 9:45 p.m. MSD; during October Revolution and World War I) — The Russian cruiser Aurora fired a symbolic blank shot from the Neva River tonight, giving the signal to rebellious workers, soldiers and sailors led by the Bolshevik Party and leader Vladimir Lenin to storm the Winter Palace in Petrograd (modern day Saint Petersburg), Russia. Continue reading Bolshevik Red Guards seize power in Russia 100 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 7 1917)
