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.”
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)
Video: '1917 Immigration Act'
(Thursday, December 14, 1916; during World War I) — President Woodrow Wilson vetoed an immigration measure today aimed at preventing “undesirables” and anyone born in the “Asiatic Barred Zone” from entering the U.S. Continue reading President Wilson vetoes sweeping immigration bill 100 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 14 1916)
Video: 'The Great War episode 5 Mutiny' (Dec. 13, 1916, at 25:19)
(Wednesday, December 13, 1916; during the Battle of the Verdun, part of the Western Front of World War I) — With heavy casualties in the battles of the Somme and Verdun and following the formation of a new government in Paris, General Joseph Joffre was formally replaced today as Commander-in-Chief of French armies on the Western Front by General Robert Nivelle, who promised new tactics to break out of the trenches and win the war. Continue reading Nivelle replaces Joffre as French commander-in-chief 100 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 13 1916)
Video: 'The Great War and the Shaping of the 20th Century (4of7): Slaughter' (Nov. 18, 1916, at 34:00)
(Saturday, November 18, 1916; during the Battle of the Somme, part of the Western Front of World War I) — The Battle of the Somme, a battle of the First World War fought by the armies of the British and French empires against the German Empire, ended today when German troops retired from the final large british attack at the Battle of the Ancre amid worsening weather. Continue reading British Expeditionary Force commander Douglas Haig calls off Battle of the Somme 100 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 18 1916)
(Monday, August 28, 1916; during World War I) — Italy declared war on Germany today, expanding the scope of its military activities beyond the Italian-Austrian front.
Video: 'Black Tom Island Explosion'
(Sunday, July 30, 1916, 2:08 a.m. local time; during World War I) — German saboteurs today blew up a munitions plant on Black Tom, an island near Jersey City, New Jersey, killing seven people and injuries hundreds of others. Continue reading German saboteurs blow up munitions plant in New Jersey 100 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (July 30 1916)
