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Austria - Hungary Declares War on Serbia
On July 28th, 1914, one of the most tragic events began to take place. Nearly one month after the Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria and his wife were killed by Gavrilo Princip, Austria - Hungary officially declared war on Serbia. Unfortunately, beginning the First World War. Austria - Hungary came to a conclusion that the proper response to the assassination of the Archduke was a military invasion of Serbia. In the summer of 1914, at least for the time being, the First World War took place. -
U.S. President Woodrow Wilson Declare Policy of U.S. Neutrality
On August 4th, 1914, World War I was erupting across Europe. President Woodrow, as stated on politico.com, declared that the U.S. would remain "impartial in thought as well in action". The majority of Americans approved of Wilson's policy to U.S. neutrality. However, a German submarine, without warning, torpedoed the British ocean liner that contained 128 Americans. Germany's force continued by sinking 4 U.S. ships. The ending result was Wilson asking congress to declare war against Germany. -
First Passenger Ship Sinks, the British Liner Falaba
On July 28th, 1915, SS Falaba, a 5,000 ton passenger-cargo ship was sunk by the German submarine U-28. The Falaba was off the southern Irish coast when U-28 surfaced and stopped the ship. Giving them evacuation time, The Falaba began to make wireless messages and sending distress rockets. Unfortunately, their time was cut short and the U-28 fired a single torpedo at the Falaba. Resulting in 100 deaths, including that of one U.S. citizen. -
Italy Declares War on Austria
On May 23rd, 1915, Italy declared war on Austria. When the war began, Italy refused to to join Germany and Austria. Italy refused because they were the aggressors. The Italian Prime Minister, Antonio Salandra issued the following declaration of support for the allies. The triple alliance came into the war, but Italy's experience throughout the war was disastrous. -
Tsar Nicholas Takes Command of Russia's Army
On September 5th, 1915, Tsar Nicholas takes command of Russia's army. Taking the leadership roll from his cousin, former General of the Russian army Grand Duke Nicholas. Tsar's felt that it was his duty to place himself at the head of his men. He hoped by doing so he would create a better and stronger army. Tsar had never evinced any great aptitude for matters martial and his personality does not suit him to military command. -
Alice L. Mikel Duffield - Camp Pike
Alice L. Mikel Duffield was one of the first nurses trained at Sparks Hospital in Fort Smith. She was commissioned as a captain in the United States Army after graduation. She began her true nursing career at Camp Pike. While attending Camp Pike, she served with the Army Nurse Corps during World War I. Alice showed a certain love for helping people and supporting the men though out the war. -
Alice L. Mikel Duffield - Going into the Red Cross
On November 30th, 1916, women couldn't be married and be in the Army Nurse Corps. After 3 years she was released from the hospital ,and got married to a man who later ended up dying in war. She returned to nursing and worked at the Red Cross. Alice's patients suffered from mustard gas burns to their lungs and developed tuberculosis as a result. That was the case with her second husband, and Alice left the Red Cross and transferred to San Antonio, Texas. -
Germany Issues Peace Note Suggesting Compromise Peace
On December 12th, 1916, German officials attempted to issue a peace note suggesting compromise. In the first few weeks of the war, Germany became concerned that they would not win the war. The officials made contact with 'various French dissident figures'. They suggested that France could have peace in exchange for giving Germany a war indemnity. Germany desired to have peace with there enemies, which entirely didn't work out. -
Zimmermann Telegram Published in the United States
On March 1st, 1917, a message from the German foreign secretary was sent out proposing an offer. A Mexican alliance in case war between the United States and Germany. President Woodrow authorized to make the Zimmerman Telegram public. Some of those in the United States who still wanted neutrality at first claimed the telegram was a fake. This notion was dispelled two days later, when Zimmermann himself confirmed its authenticity. -
Battle of Messines
On June 7th, 1917, the Battle of Messines occurred in Flanders, Belgium. The battle was an offensive conducted by the British Second Army. It's been argued that the battle was the most successful local operation of the war. The battle was also know for the detonation of 22 underground mines underneath the German mines. In preparing for for the battle, General Plumer planned to detonate all 22 mines at zero hour at 03:10 on June 7th, following up with a infantry attacks. -
Alice L. Mikel Duffield - Sparks Hospital
On August 1st, 1917, Alice L. Mikel Duffield was being trained at Sparks Hospital to treat patience suffering from mustard gas. Alice learned that chlorine gas burns the throats of its victims and causes death by asphyxiation. The nurses in Sparks Hospital had to help the men by irrigating the man's eye. Alice had to get use to clipping off blistered skin off of the faces of the men. At the end of the war, Alice claimed she nearly had hundreds of patients who suffered mustard gas. -
British Launch Surprise Tank Attack at Cambrai
On November 20, 1917, at dawn, six infantry and two cavalry divisions, with additional support from 14 squadrons of the Royal Flying Corps attack Germany. After the first tanks, their effectiveness was quickly thrown out of doubt. The early tanks were slow and useless. The navigation and visibility controls were poor as well. The tanks could be taken down easily by firearm and rendering the British completely vulnerable. -
US President Woodrow Wilson Makes "Fourteen Points" Speech to Congress
On January 8th, 1918 US President Woodrow Wilson delivers Fourteen Points speech to congress. In the speech, it articulated ideas to American foreign policy in the 20th century. Wilson stated," that the world [must] be made fit and safe to live in". President Woodrow sought for a safe peace loving place for it's people. The speech contained many strategies and ideas of the President to make America safer. -
Alice L. Mikel Duffield - Battle of Amiens
On August 8th, 1918, Alice L. Mikel Duffield was sent to the fighting grounds East of Amiens, Picardy, France. The battle was a launched attack with a force of 75,000 men, 500 tanks, and 2,000 planes. The battle achieved a monumental amount of deaths on the first day. With tanks causing 27,000 casualties. After the fighting was over after a few days, Alice stated that, "the wounds the men had were more than just horrific". -
Alice L. Mikel Duffield - End of the War
On November 11th 1918, marked the day a gruesome war came to an end. Alice L. Mikel Duffield, a nurse apart of the Red Cross let out a cry of relief when she and other nurses found out the news. Determined, Alice got married once more, and her last husband had died due to tuberculosis. Alice moved to Tennessee with her daughter and son to start a new life of freedom. At the age of 105, Alice passed away and was put down as one of the oldest veterans in the United States in 2002.
