The RMS Lusitania, a British luxury liner, became a pivotal figure in World War I when a German U-boat sank it on May 7, 1915. Sailing from New York to Liverpool, the Lusitania was torpedoed off the coast of Ireland, resulting in a colossal loss of life. Over 1,190 passengers and crew perished, including more than 120 Americans. The sinking sparked outrage, particularly in the United States, which was still officially neutral. Many viewed the attack as a deliberate targeting of civilians, and the incident is considered a significant factor that ultimately pushed the U.S. to enter the war in 1917.
