Category Archives: World War I

George M. Cohan composes patriotic song ‘Over There’ 100 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 7 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)

U.S. formally declares war on Germany, enters World War I 100 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 6 1917)


Video: 'WILSON ASKS CONGRESS TO DECLARE WAR 1917'

(Friday, April 6, 1917, 1:18 p.m. local time; during World War I) — War came to the United States this afternoon — war by the government and people against the Imperial German Government — as President Woodrow Wilson signed the congressional resolution declaring that “the state of war which has thrust upon the United States, is hereby formally declared.” Continue reading U.S. formally declares war on Germany, enters World War I 100 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 6 1917)

U.S. Senate votes 82-6 for war against Germany 100 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 4 1917)

(Wednesday, April 4, 1917, 11:11 p.m. local time; during World War I) — Two days after U.S. President Woodrow Wilson asked Congress to declare war against Germany, saying, “The world must be made safe for democracy,” the U.S. Senate tonight voted 82-6 in favor of declaring war against Germany. Continue reading U.S. Senate votes 82-6 for war against Germany 100 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 4 1917)

President Wilson asks Congress to declare war on Germany 100 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 2 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'

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' (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)

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 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)

Train carrying Czar Nicholas II stopped by hostile soldiers 100 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 14 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)

169 killed as military opens fire on striking workers in Petrograd 100 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 11 1917)


Video: 'The Great War episode 5 Mutiny' (March 11, 1917, at 40:24)

(Sunday, March 11, 1917; during World War I) — Three days into the February Revolution, soldiers under the command of General Sergey Semyonovich Khabalov, acting under the Tsar’s orders, opened fire today on unarmed striking workers in Petrograd, Russia, killing 169.

International Women’s Day protests in Petrograd spark February Revolution 100 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 8 1917)


Video: 'The Great War episode 5 Mutiny' (March 8, 1917, at 39:13)

(Thursday, March 8, 1917; during World War I) — Women in Petrograd, Russia, went on strike today for “Bread and Peace,” demanding the end of World War I, an end to Russian food shortages and the end of czarism. Continue reading International Women’s Day protests in Petrograd spark February Revolution 100 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 8 1917)

Congress overrides President Wilson, passes immigration bill 100 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 5 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)