The Sinking of the Lusitania

What happened

The German submarine U-20 torpedoed the British ocean liner RMS Lusitania off the coast of Ireland without warning. The ship sank in under twenty minutes; of nearly 2,000 aboard, some 1,200 died, including 128 American citizens.

Why it matters

The deaths of American civilians caused international outrage and helped turn US public opinion against Germany — a step on the road to America's entry into the war.

Sources

• Imperial War Museums. The Sinking Of The Lusitania, 7 May 1915 · Reputable source