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Major Events of May 1915: Key Historical Moments from the Month

Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from May 1915 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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Major Events of May 1915: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 May 1915 RMS Lusitania's Final Voyage: The RMS Lusitania departs from New York City on her 202nd and final transatlantic crossing. On May 7th, 1915, the ship was torpedoed by a German U-boat off the coast of Ireland, resulting in the tragic loss of 1,198 lives, including 128 Americans. This event significantly escalated tensions between the United States and Germany during World War I.
  • 02 May 1915 Gorlice–Tarnów Offensive in World War I: The Austro-German forces launched a significant offensive against the Russian Imperial Army, breaking through the defensive lines at the strategic Gorlice-Tarnow region in Poland. This offensive marked a critical moment in the Eastern Front of World War I, demonstrating the military capabilities of the Central Powers.
  • 03 May 1915 Writing of 'In Flanders Fields': Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, a Canadian physician serving during World War I, composed the iconic war poem 'In Flanders Fields' on May 3, 1915. The poem, written in the aftermath of his friend's death during the Second Battle of Ypres, became one of the most famous poems of World War I and a powerful symbol of remembrance for soldiers who died in combat. McCrae was inspired to write the poem after witnessing the devastating loss of life and the poignant sight of poppies growing among the graves of fallen soldiers in Belgium.
  • 04 May 1915 Italy Abandons Triple Alliance: On May 4, 1915, Italy officially renounced its membership in the Triple Alliance, a pre-World War I diplomatic agreement with Austria-Hungary and Germany. This strategic decision marked a significant turning point in Italy's foreign policy, as the country prepared to enter World War I on the side of the Allied Powers (France, Britain, and Russia) instead of its previous Central Powers allies.
  • 05 May 1915 Gorlice–Tarnów Offensive: Major Russian Army Collapse: During World War I, the Russian Third Army experienced a catastrophic defeat as German forces broke through their lines, resulting in the capture of 140,000 Russian soldiers and 100 artillery pieces. This significant military engagement marked a critical turning point on the Eastern Front, demonstrating the strategic prowess of German military tactics.
  • 06 May 1915 Second Battle of Krithia in Gallipoli Campaign: British, Australian, and New Zealand forces launched an assault on Ottoman defenses at the Helles battlefield during the Gallipoli Campaign. Despite their efforts, they were only able to advance 400 yards, highlighting the brutal and challenging nature of the campaign.
  • 07 May 1915 Sinking of the RMS Lusitania: During World War I, the German submarine SM U-20 torpedoed and sank the British passenger liner RMS Lusitania off the coast of Ireland, resulting in the tragic loss of 1,198 lives, including 128 American citizens. This devastating event dramatically shifted public opinion in the United States, transforming many pro-German sentiments into strong anti-German sentiment and ultimately contributing to the United States' decision to enter World War I.
  • 08 May 1915 41st Kentucky Derby Won by Regret: On May 8, 1915, the 41st Kentucky Derby was held at Churchill Downs, with jockey Joe Notter riding the horse Regret to victory. The race was completed in an impressive time of 2 minutes and 5.4 seconds. Notably, Regret was a significant winner, as she was the first filly to ever win the prestigious Kentucky Derby, breaking gender barriers in horse racing.
  • 09 May 1915 Second Battle of Artois in World War I: During World War I, French and German forces engaged in a significant battle in the Artois region. The French 10th Army launched a major offensive following six days of intense artillery bombardment using over a thousand guns. They initially breached the German defense lines near Vimy Ridge but failed to fully exploit their tactical advantage.
  • 10 May 1915 Gas Mask Invention by Cluny Macpherson: Canadian physician Cluny Macpherson made a groundbreaking contribution to military safety by presenting his innovative gas mask invention to the British War Office, which would help protect soldiers from chemical warfare during World War I.
  • 11 May 1915 Publication of 'The Story of the Great War': A comprehensive historical documentation of World War I was published, compiling official sources and historical records of the European conflict up to that point in time. This publication represented an early attempt to chronicle the ongoing global war, providing insights into the events, strategies, and impacts of the conflict from contemporary perspectives.
  • 12 May 1915 Gorlice–Tarnów Offensive Strategic Movement: During World War I, German General August von Mackensen received orders to advance his forces to the San River and establish strategic bridgeheads. This military maneuver was a significant tactical operation in the Eastern Front of the conflict.
  • 13 May 1915 Wilson's Diplomatic Response to Lusitania Sinking: On May 13, 1915, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson dispatched the first of three diplomatic letters to Germany regarding the sinking of the RMS Lusitania. The letter demanded that Germany take full responsibility for the maritime attack and provide substantial compensation for the American lives lost during the incident. This diplomatic communication was a critical moment in U.S.-German relations during World War I, signaling potential escalation of tensions between the two nations.
  • 14 May 1915 Second Battle of Artois - French Offensive: During the Second Battle of Artois on May 14, 1915, French military forces successfully captured the strategic village of Carency during World War I. Despite this tactical achievement, the French troops were halted in their subsequent attempt to advance on Souchez, indicating the challenging and complex nature of trench warfare during this period.
  • 15 May 1915 Costly British Offensive in Artois During World War I: British and Indian troops launch a major offensive against German positions in the Artois region of France, preceded by an extensive 60-hour artillery bombardment. Despite the massive preparatory bombardment, the Allied forces advance only 1,000 yards at an enormous human cost of 16,000 casualties, highlighting the brutal and often futile nature of World War I trench warfare.
  • 16 May 1915 Battle of Hill 60: Gas Warfare Tactics: In a grueling engagement during World War I, British forces initially resisted German gas attacks for four days. However, on the fifth day, a tactical shift occurred when the gas followed the front line instead of crossing it directly, enabling German forces to overwhelm British defensive positions. This battle highlighted the evolving and devastating nature of chemical warfare during the conflict.
  • 17 May 1915 Fall of Asquith's Liberal Government: The last purely Liberal government in the United Kingdom ends when Prime Minister Herbert Henry Asquith forms an all-party coalition government, marking a significant political transition during the early years of World War I.
  • 18 May 1915 Battle of Festubert: Canadian Division's World War I Offensive: During World War I, the 1st Canadian Division launched a significant offensive against German defensive positions near Festubert in northern France. The attack, conducted in coordination with British forces, was part of the larger Allied strategy to break through the entrenched German lines on the Western Front. Despite determined efforts and considerable courage, the Canadian and British troops encountered strong German resistance and were unable to achieve a decisive breakthrough, suffering substantial casualties in the process.
  • 19 May 1915 Third Battle of Anzac Cove during Gallipoli Campaign: On May 19, 1915, during World War I, the Ottoman Turkish forces launched a significant assault against the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) positions at Anzac Cove in Gallipoli, Turkey. The attack, which began in the early morning hours, was primarily focused on penetrating the center of the ANZAC defensive line. Despite their intense efforts, the Turkish forces were repelled by the well-positioned ANZAC defenders who utilized effective rifle and machine gun fire. The battle resulted in devastating casualties for the Turkish side, with approximately 10,000 soldiers killed or wounded, compared to fewer than 700 ANZAC casualties. This engagement was a critical moment in the Gallipoli Campaign, demonstrating the defensive capabilities of the ANZAC troops.
  • 20 May 1915 Birth of Moshe Dayan: Moshe Dayan, a prominent Israeli military leader and politician, was born. He would later become a key figure in Israeli military history, serving as a military commander and later as Minister of Defense during critical periods in Israel's development.
  • 21 May 1915 Second Battle of Artois: French Resistance Under German Assault: During the Second Battle of Artois in World War I, French forces demonstrated remarkable resilience while consolidating their defensive positions under intense German artillery bombardment. Despite facing overwhelming enemy fire, French troops attempted to maintain strategic ground, though ultimately losing several key defensive positions. This battle was part of the larger Western Front conflict, highlighting the brutal and attritional nature of World War I combat.
  • 22 May 1915 Quintinshill Rail Disaster: On May 22, 1915, a catastrophic rail collision occurred near Gretna Green, Scotland, involving three trains. The accident resulted in 227 fatalities and 246 injuries. Investigations revealed that the disaster was caused by non-standard operating practices during a shift change at a busy railway junction. Most of the victims were military troops being transported during World War I, making this the deadliest rail accident in United Kingdom history at the time.
  • 23 May 1915 Italy Enters World War I on the Side of the Allies: On May 23, 1915, Italy officially entered World War I by joining the Allied Powers, fulfilling its obligations under the secret Treaty of London signed earlier that year. This strategic decision marked a significant shift in the war's geopolitical landscape, as Italy abandoned its previous alliance with Germany and Austria-Hungary (the Central Powers) and committed to fighting alongside Britain, France, and Russia.
  • 24 May 1915 First Use of 'Crime Against Humanity' Term: In a landmark diplomatic moment, the Allied governments publicly used the term 'crime against humanity' for the first time, specifically condemning the Armenian massacres. This marked a critical point in international legal and humanitarian discourse, establishing a precedent for recognizing systematic human rights violations.
  • 25 May 1915 Allies Evacuate Gallipoli Peninsula: The Allies begin a strategic and orderly evacuation of the Gallipoli Peninsula after months of a costly stalemate. The campaign, which resulted in approximately 250,000 casualties, ends with the British Navy successfully evacuating 83,000 survivors by sea. Notably, Turkish forces observe the withdrawal without engaging, seemingly relieved to see the Allies depart.
  • 26 May 1915 British Coalition Government Formed During World War I: H. H. Asquith, the British Prime Minister, established a coalition government during the critical period of World War I, bringing together members of different political parties to present a united front during the challenging wartime circumstances.
  • 27 May 1915 HMS Princess Irene Disaster: The HMS Princess Irene, a British auxiliary cruiser, suffered a catastrophic explosion and sank off the coast of Sheerness, Kent, resulting in the tragic loss of 352 crew members. The incident occurred during World War I, highlighting the dangerous conditions naval personnel faced even while stationed in home waters.
  • 28 May 1915 Second Battle of Artois - French Offensive Fails: During World War I, the French military launched an offensive in the Artois region of northern France, attempting to break through German defensive lines. Despite significant effort, they were unable to capture the strategic location of Andres in Pas-de-Calais, marking another challenging moment in the complex and brutal trench warfare of the Western Front.
  • 29 May 1915 ANZAC Forces Capture Strategic Position in Gallipoli Campaign: During World War I, New Zealand forces successfully captured and fortified No. 3 Post, a critical defensive position overlooking ANZAC Cove during the Gallipoli Campaign. This strategic maneuver was crucial in the Allied efforts to establish a foothold in the region.
  • 30 May 1915 Gorlice–Tarnów Offensive: German Artillery Bombardment of Przemyśl: On May 30, 1915, during World War I, the Eleventh German Army initiated a significant artillery bombardment targeting the strategic fortifications surrounding the Polish city of Przemyśl. This offensive was part of the larger Gorlice–Tarnów Offensive, a critical military operation on the Eastern Front that would ultimately lead to substantial territorial changes and significant military advancements for the Central Powers against Russian forces.
  • 31 May 1915 German Zeppelin Air Raid on London: On May 31, 1915, during World War I, a German LZ-38 Zeppelin conducted an aerial bombing raid on London, marking a significant escalation in aerial warfare. This attack represented one of the first strategic bombing missions targeting a major civilian population center, causing terror and demonstrating the emerging potential of airborne military technology.