This Day in History — WWI
May 18, 1917 — American Expeditionary Force Ordered to France - John Pershing
On May 18, 1917, General John J. Pershing and the first units of the American Expeditionary Force were ordered to France, marking America’s direct entry into World War I. The deployment strengthened Allied morale, expanded U.S. influence abroad, and helped shape the outcome of the war and America’s future global role.
March 12, 1917 — U-Boat Sinks the Algonquin as Wilson Orders Armed Merchant Ships
American History Political Leaders USA President WWI
On March 12, 1917, a German U-boat sank the unarmed American merchant ship Algonquin the same day President Woodrow Wilson ordered U.S. merchant vessels to be armed. The events reflected escalating tensions with Germany and marked a turning point as the United States moved closer to entering World War I.