1910 - 1919

A year-by year look at the second decade of the 20th century.

In three waves, the Spanish flu spread quickly, killing an estimated 50 million to 100 million people around the world.

Something surprising occurred on the front for Christmas in 1914. In one of the truest acts of goodwill toward men, soldiers from both sides set aside their weapons and hatred and agreed to a Christmas truce.

On December 12, 1913, the very first crossword puzzle, created by Arthur Wynne, was published in the New York World newspaper.

Mata Hari was an exotic dancer and courtesan, killed by the French for espionage during WWI.

It was unbelievable - someone stole the most famous painting in the world. Follow this two year long caper that shocked the world.

Since Oreo cookies debuted in 1912, over 362 billion have been sold, making them the best-selling cookie in the United States.

On the same morning that newspapers announced the United States' declaration of war in 1917, George M. Cohan wrote one of the most famous songs of World War I, called 'Over There.' Find the story behind the song as well as the lyrics to 'Over There.'

After the ratification of the 16th Amendment to the Constitution in 1913, the U.S. federal government enacted its first, permanent personal income tax.

Because Rasputin, a peasant who claimed powers of healing and prediction, had the ear of Russian Tsarina Aleksandra, many believed Rasputin was "the dark force" that was ruining Mother Russia. On the night of December 16-17, 1916, several members of the aristocracy attempted to murder the holy man. Though the plan was simple, the conspirators found that Rasputin would be very difficult to kill.

Baron Manfred von Richthofen liked to fly in a blazing red airplane and shoot down plane after plane. With 80 credited victories, Baron Manfred von Richthofen, the Red Baron, defied the odds and became a legend in the air.

On May 7, 1915, the British passenger ship, the Lusitania, was sunk by a German U-boat. The high death toll shocked the world and the loss of American citizens swayed public opinion in the United States in favor of joining World War I.

On the night of April 14, 1912, the luxurious ocean liner Titanic hit an iceberg. Just over two hours later, the Titanic sank, losing 1,517 lives. Find out the full story of the sinking of the Titanic.

The fire at the Triangle Waist Company factory in New York City on March 25, 1911 killed 146 workers. The large number of deaths exposed the dangerous conditions in high-rise factories and prompted the creation of new building, fire, and safety codes around the United States.