Category Archives: World War I

U.S. breaks relations with Germany 100 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 3 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.

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.

‘Keep the Home Fires Burning’ World War I song published 100 years ago today (Oct 8 1914)


Video: 'STANLEY KIRKBY - Till The Boys Come Home (Keep The Home Fires Burning)'

(Thursday, October 8, 1914) — The World War I song “Keep the Home Fires Burning,” by Ivor Novello and Lena Guilbert Ford, was first published today in London under the title “Till the Boys Come Home.”

Allies win decisive victory in First Battle of the Marne 100 years ago today (Sep 12 1914)


Video: 'The Great War - S01E05 - This Business May Last a Long Time' (Sept. 5-11, 1914, at 1:16-8:01)

(Saturday, September 12, 1914; during World War I) — The First Battle of the Marne ended in an Allied victory today, forcing the German Imperial Army to abandon its push on Paris and retreat north-west, leading to the “Race to the Sea.” Continue reading Allies win decisive victory in First Battle of the Marne 100 years ago today (Sep 12 1914) →

Battle of Tannenberg begins on Eastern Front 100 years ago today (Aug 26 1914)


Video: 'The Great War episode 2 Stalemate' (Aug. 26-30, 1914, at 27:10)

(Wednesday, August 26, 1914, morning local time; part of the Eastern Front of World War I) — The Battle of Tannenberg, an engagement between the Russian and the German Empires, began today near Allenstein, East Prussia (today Olsztyn, Poland), resulting in the almost complete destruction of the Russian Second Army.