Video: 'The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century - Slaughter' (July 3-14, 1917, at 48:54)

(Tuesday, July 3, 1917; on the Western Front during World War I) — King George V and Queen Mary of England were greeted by a huge crowd of dignitaries today as they arrived at the Port of Calais start a tour of the Western Front, which would continue through July 14, 1917 (click here to watch video of today’s arrival). Continue reading British royals arrive at Calais to tour Western Front 100 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 3 1917) →

Video: 'American Troops Land In France (1917)'

(Tuesday, June 26, 1917) — The 14,000 first troops of the American Expeditionary Force deployed to France during World War I landed today in St. Nazaire. Continue reading First American troops reach France in World War I 100 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 26 1917) →

Video: 'The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century - Slaughter' (June 7, 1917, at 47:00)

(Thursday, June 7, 1917, 3:10 a.m. CEST; on the Western Front during World War I) —
The Battle of Messines opened today as the British Second Army, under the command of General Sir Herbert Plumer, detonated 19 ammonal mines under the German lines near the village of Messines in West Flanders, Belgium, killing 10,000 in the deadliest deliberate non-nuclear man-made explosion in history.

Video: 'THE DRAFT | The Selective Service Act | PBS'

(Tuesday, June 5, 1917; during World War I) — About 10 million American men between the ages of 21 and 31 began registering for the draft today. Continue reading About 10 million American men begin registering for draft 100 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 5 1917) →

Video: 'World War I: Nivelle Offensive 4/4' (May 15, 1917, at 1:44)

(Tuesday, May 15, 1917; during World War I) — Less than one month after launching the Nivelle Offensive, the disappointment of which triggered a series of significant mutinies on the Western Front, French General Robert Nivelle was replaced today as Commander-in-Chief of the French Army by Philippe Pétain. Continue reading Petain succeeds Nivelle as French Commander-in-Chief 100 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 15 1917) →

Video: 'The Great War episode 5 Mutiny'(April 16, 1917, at 18:31)

(Monday, April 16, 1917; during the on the Western Front of World War I) — Siegfried Sassoon, an officer in the Royal Welch Fusiliers and one of Britain’s greatest war poets, was wounded by a German sniper today while leading his company in an attack at Fontaine-les-Croisilles. Continue reading Siegfried Sassoon wounded by a German sniper at Fontaine-les-Croisilles 100 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 16 1917) →

Video: 'The Great War episode 5 Mutiny' (April 16, 1917, at 27:47)

(Monday, April 16, 1917, 6:00 a.m. CEST) — The Nivelle Offensive, a massive Franco-British offensive on the Western Front in the First World War, was launched today by General Robert Nivelle, commander of the French armies, deploying some 1.2 million soldiers and 7,000 artillery pieces, with which he promised to break the German line within 48 hours. Continue reading Nivelle Offensive begins in northern France 100 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 16 1917) →

Video: 'Vimy Ridge Heaven to Hell - Full Documentary'

(Easter Monday, April 9, 1917, 5:30 a.m. CEST; on the Western Front during World War I) — Canadian forces launched a successful counter-offensive against German troops today in the Battle of Vimy Ridge, a military engagement fought primarily as part of the Battle of Arras, a diversionary attack for the Apr. 16, 1917, French Nivelle Offensive in the Nord-Pas-de-Calais region of France. Continue reading Canadian forces launch counter-offensive against German troops in Battle of Vimy Ridge 100 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 9 1917) →

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) →