May 7, 1915: The RMS Lusitania Sinks On this day in 1915, The RMS Lusitania, A British ocean liner, was torpedoed by a German U-Boat. Less than an hour later, over 1000 passengers had lost their lives when she sank off the coast of Ireland. Only three years had passed since the Titanic disaster. Afterward, there was much controversy with the sinking, as the Lusitania had been carrying mostly civilians. Europe was in the midst of World War I, and the German Navy insisted that the Lusitania was a legitimate target as she had also been carrying munitions and serving as an auxiliary military ship. As 128 Americans were among the dead, the British thought that the United States would declare war on Germany, but this would not be the case. Two years would pass until America joined World War I. Learn more about the RMS Lusitania with our “Lost Liners” collection. Photo: RMS Lusitania coming into port, possibly in New York, 1907-13 (Library of Congress).
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May 7, 1915: The RMS Lusitania Sinks

On this day in 1915, The RMS Lusitania, A British ocean liner, was torpedoed by a German U-Boat. Less than an hour later, over 1000 passengers had lost their lives when she sank off the coast of Ireland. Only three years had passed since the Titanic disaster.

Afterward, there was much controversy with the sinking, as the Lusitania had been carrying mostly civilians. Europe was in the midst of World War I, and the German Navy insisted that the Lusitania was a legitimate target as she had also been carrying munitions and serving as an auxiliary military ship.

As 128 Americans were among the dead, the British thought that the United States would declare war on Germany, but this would not be the case. Two years would pass until America joined World War I.

Learn more about the RMS Lusitania with our “Lost Liners” collection.

Photo: RMS Lusitania coming into port, possibly in New York, 1907-13 (Library of Congress).

August 16, 1888:  Lawrence of Arabia Born On this day in 1888, British Army officer T.E. Lawrence (later nicknamed Lawrence of Arabia) was born in Wales.  Lawrence was known for his ability to vividly describe in writing his life and role in the Arab Revolt of 1916-1918. Lawrence’s writing inspired the 1962 film Lawrence of Arabia starring Peter O’Toole, which depicted his experience in Arabia during World War I. Did you know that T.E. Lawrence only stood at 5-foot 5-inches in height, even though he was depicted in the film as 6-foot 2-inches tall?  Find out other lesser-known facts about Lawrence here.
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August 16, 1888:  Lawrence of Arabia Born

On this day in 1888, British Army officer T.E. Lawrence (later nicknamed Lawrence of Arabia) was born in Wales.  Lawrence was known for his ability to vividly describe in writing his life and role in the Arab Revolt of 1916-1918.

Lawrence’s writing inspired the 1962 film Lawrence of Arabia starring Peter O’Toole, which depicted his experience in Arabia during World War I.

Did you know that T.E. Lawrence only stood at 5-foot 5-inches in height, even though he was depicted in the film as 6-foot 2-inches tall?  Find out other lesser-known facts about Lawrence here.

Source: to.pbs.org

May 7, 1915: RMS Lusitania Torpedoed by German U-boat, Sinks On this day in 1915, the British ocean liner RMS Lusitania was torpedoed by a German U-boat, killing 1,198 people aboard. This attack turned many in Europe and the United States against Germany and contributed to the United States’ entry into WWI. Take a first-hand look at interior photos of one of history’s most majestic lost liners with our Diagram of a Colossus interactive guide of the Lusitania.
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May 7, 1915: RMS Lusitania Torpedoed by German U-boat, Sinks

On this day in 1915, the British ocean liner RMS Lusitania was torpedoed by a German U-boat, killing 1,198 people aboard. This attack turned many in Europe and the United States against Germany and contributed to the United States’ entry into WWI.

Take a first-hand look at interior photos of one of history’s most majestic lost liners with our Diagram of a Colossus interactive guide of the Lusitania.

Source: to.pbs.org

NOVEMBER 11: VETERANS DAY; ARMISTICE DAY, 1918

Today is Veterans Day. November 11 is formerly known as Armistice Day, which recognized the lives lost during World War I.

On this day in 1918, on the “eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month,” all fighting on the Western Front of World War I ceased. The agreement promised an end to fighting between the Allied powers and Germany.

American Experience’s “War Letters” brings to life vivid letters from the front. Watch a moving account of Armistice Day from Lloyd, an American soldier writing to his mother.  

Source: video.pbs.org

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