Historical1915
Sinking of the Lusitania
A German submarine torpedoed the British ocean liner RMS Lusitania off the coast of Ireland, killing 1,198 people, including 128 Americans. The sinking intensified American public outrage and contributed to the eventual U.S. entry into World War I.
Why It Matters
The Lusitania disaster highlighted the challenges of maintaining neutrality during global conflict and contributed to the national debate about America's responsibilities in the international order.