In short
On May 7, 1915, a German U-boat torpedoed the RMS Lusitania, a British passenger liner, off the coast of Ireland, killing 1,198 people including 128 American citizens. The attack occurred in a declared war zone and accelerated American public opinion toward entering World War I, though the U.S. wouldn't formally join the conflict for another two years.
How it unfolded.
The five-minute version
What actually happened.
RMS Lusitania was a British-registered ocean liner that was torpedoed by an Imperial German Navy U-boat during the First World War on 7 May 1915, about 11 nautical miles off the Old Head of Kinsale, Ireland. The attack took place in the declared maritime war-zone around the United Kingdom, three months after unrestricted submarine warfare against the ships of the United Kingdom had been announced by Germany following the Allied powers' implementation of a naval blockade against it and the other Central Powers.
As it was happening
12 voices, 792 days.
One beat at a time. Click any dot on the timeline to jump, press play for autoplay, or use the arrow keys to step.
Germany declares unrestricted submarine warfare
Imperial Germany announces that all ships in waters around the British Isles will be targeted without warning, establishing the maritime war zone where Lusitania would later be attacked.
Voices from this moment (1)
Germany declares unrestricted submarine warfare
Feb 4
“Imperial Germany announces that all ships in waters around…”
As it was happening
12 voices, 792 days.
Day 0 · February 4, 1915
Germany declares unrestricted submarine warfare
Imperial Germany announces that all ships in waters around the British Isles will be targeted without warning, establishing the maritime war zone where Lusitania would later be attacked.
“Imperial Germany announces that all ships in waters around…”
- Germany declares unrestricted submarine warfare, Feb 4
Day 86 · May 1, 1915
Lusitania departs New York
The RMS Lusitania leaves New York Harbor on its final voyage. The ship carries 1,959 passengers and crew, despite German warnings published in American newspapers.
“The RMS Lusitania leaves New York Harbor on its final…”
- Lusitania departs New York, May 1
Day 92 · May 7, 1915
Lusitania torpedoed
SM U-20 fires a single torpedo at the Lusitania off the Irish coast. The ship sinks in 18 minutes, with 1,198 deaths including 128 American citizens.
“The sinking of the Lusitania has deeply shocked the…”
- Statement to press, May 1915, May 8
“This is not an act of war against an armed ship; it is a…”
- House of Commons statement, May 1915, May 11
“The torpedo struck like a bolt from heaven.”
- Interview in Daily Telegraph, May 1915, May 12
“The Lusitania carried munitions and supplies to Britain.”
- Synthesized from period German newspaper accounts - Berliner Tageblatt, May 1915, May 10
“Germany has declared war not upon the British Navy but upon…”
- Leading article, The Times, May 1915, May 8
“SM U-20 fires a single torpedo at the Lusitania off the…”
- Lusitania torpedoed, May 7
Day 98 · May 13, 1915
President Wilson's initial response
President Woodrow Wilson delivers a speech stating that the U.S. is 'too proud to fight,' rejecting immediate military action despite public outrage over American deaths.
“President Woodrow Wilson delivers a speech stating that the…”
- President Wilson's initial response, May 13
Day 226 · September 18, 1915
Germany pledges to cease unrestricted submarine warfare
Following diplomatic pressure from the Wilson administration, Germany agrees to halt attacks on passenger ships without warning, temporarily reducing tensions.
“Following diplomatic pressure from the Wilson…”
- Germany pledges to cease unrestricted submarine warfare, Sep 18
Day 382 · February 21, 1916
Germany resumes unrestricted submarine warfare
Germany announces it will resume unrestricted submarine attacks, citing British blockade tactics and escalating the maritime conflict once again.
“Germany announces it will resume unrestricted submarine…”
- Germany resumes unrestricted submarine warfare, Feb 21
Day 792 · April 6, 1917
United States enters World War I
Nearly two years after the Lusitania sinking, Congress votes to declare war on Germany. German submarine attacks on American vessels, combined with the Zimmermann Telegram revelation, finally push Wilson to seek military intervention.
“Nearly two years after the Lusitania sinking, Congress…”
- United States enters World War I, Apr 6
The numbers.
6 numbers that anchor the scale.
By the numbers
The countable parts.
Death toll
0 people
American casualties
0 confirmed American citizens
Location
0 nautical miles off Old Head of Kinsale, Ireland
Sinking time
0 minutes
Ship tonnage
0 gross tons
Lifeboats capacity
0 people (insufficient for 1,959 aboard)
Captured in time.
Captured before it changed
The web as it looked, the day it happened.
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Sources & citations.
Sources
Where this came from.
Every claim on this page traces to a public, license-clean source. We don't asterisk well.
Wikipedia
1 source- 1.Sinking of RMS Lusitania
en.wikipedia.org