Category Archives: World War I

President Wilson vetoes sweeping immigration bill 100 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 14 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)

Nivelle replaces Joffre as French commander-in-chief 100 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 13 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)

British Expeditionary Force commander Douglas Haig calls off Battle of the Somme 100 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 18 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)

First Battle of Champagne ends in stalemate 100 years ago today (Mar 17 1915)


Video: 'The First Battle of Champagne'

(Wednesday, March 17, 1915; part of the Western Front of World War I) — The First Battle of Champagne between the French Fourth Army and the German Third Army in the Champagne region of France ended today in stalemate after three months of bloody fighting.

Allied warships launch initial attack on Ottoman forces in the Dardanelles 100 years ago this hour (Feb 19 1915)


Video: 'La bataille des Dardanelles (1915)'

(Friday, February 19, 1915, 7:30 a.m. local time; during Naval operations in the Dardanelles Campaign, part of World War I) — British and French warships launched their initial attack today on Ottoman forces in the Dardanelles, a strait in northwestern Turkey. The Gallipoli Campaign that followed proved disastrous for the Allies.

Fighting resumes along Western Front after Christmas truce 100 years ago this hour (Dec 26 1914)

Video: 'The Great War episode 2 Stalemate' (Dec. 26, 1914, at 54:25)

(Saturday, December 26, 1914, 8:30 a.m. local time; on the Western Front of the First World War) — An unofficial Christmas truce that began two days ago on the Western Front ended today after German and British soldiers exchange pleasantries.

Unofficial Christmas truce continues along Western Front 100 years ago today (Dec 25 1914)

Video: 'The Great War episode 2 Stalemate' (Dec. 25, 1914, at 51:48)

(Friday, December 25, 1914, Christmas Day; on the Western Front of the First World War) — An unofficial Christmas truce that began yesterday held today along parts of the Western Front today between British and German soldiers who, in some cases, exchanged gifts and even played soccer with each other. Continue reading Unofficial Christmas truce continues along Western Front 100 years ago today (Dec 25 1914)

First Battle of Ypres ends in Allied victory 100 years ago today (Nov 22 1914)


Video: 'The First Battle Of Ypres 1914'

(Sunday, November 22, 1914; part of the Race to the Sea on the Western Front of the First World War) — The First Battle of Ypres, fought for the strategically important town of Ypres in western Belgium, ended today with an Allied victory against Germany.

Assassin who sparked World War I sentenced to 20 years in prison 100 years ago today (Oct 28 1914)


Video: 'World War I: Gavrilo Princip's Final Days'

(Wednesday, October 28, 1914; during World War I) — Yugoslav nationalist Gavrilo Princip, whose assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg, sparked World War I, was sentenced today in Sarajevo to 20 years’ imprisonment, escaping the death penalty because he was underaged.