Lusitania sinking

The sinking of the RMS Lusitania occurred on May 7, 1915, during World War I. This British ocean liner was torpedoed by a German U-boat off the coast of Ireland. Over 1,100 passengers died, including 128 Americans, which outraged public opinion in the U.S. Although the Germans justified the attack by citing the Lusitania's potential to carry munitions, the tragedy significantly shifted American sentiment against Germany and contributed to the U.S. joining the war in 1917. The incident highlighted the dangers of unrestricted submarine warfare and raised issues about civilian safety during wartime.