1917

  • Jan 19: Zimmermann’s Telegram to Mexico is discovered and translated by the British

  • Feb 1: Germany declares unrestricted submarine warfare

  • Feb 2: "Dollar a Month Club" established for Belgian Relief in Ann Arbor. 

  • Feb 16:  Ann Arbor chapter of the American Red Cross is founded in Ann Arbor. 

  • Feb 18: Scott Nearing gives lecture in a University of Michigan auditorium. 

  • March 15: Tsar Nicholas II of Russia abdicates.

  • April 6: Wilson asks Congress for declaration of war with Germany

  • April 16-29: Offensive at Chemin des Dames (France)

  • April 24: Emergency Loan Act authorizes First Liberty Loan drive. 

  • April - June: Over half a million French soldiers mutiny and refuse to continue failed Chemin des Dames offensive.

  • May 18: US passes Selective Service Act allowing government to draft men for the armed forces.

  • June: Barbour Gymnasium converted to University Hospitality House.

  • June 15: Congress' Espionage Act went into effect. 

  • July: Camp Custer built in Battle Creek, the Liberty Motor arrives in Washington for testing, Governer Sleeper establishes the Women's Committee of the Michigan Division of Council of National Defense in Michigan. 

  • July 1-16: Offensive in Galicia (Russia)

  • Aug 10: Lever Food Control Act passed by United States, championing "Food Will Win the War." 

  • July 3: The American Expeditionary Force lands in France.

  • July 31-Nov. 10: Third Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele)

  • Oct 1: Second Liberty Loan drive

  • Oct 23: American troops in France join trench warfare

  • Nov 7: Bolshevik socialists and Lenin overthrow Russian government

  • Nov. 17: Censorship of mail from soldiers by US military begins. 

  • Dec. 3: New Russian government signs armistice with Germany.

  • Dec. 9: British capture Jerusalem from Turks and Arab allies.

  • Dec. 16-25: American Red Cross Christmas Drive
1917