On this day, January the 16th, in the year of 1917, the Zimmermann Note, also known as the Zimmermann Telegram, a telegram sent to Mexico to Germany to persuade them to invade the United States if they declared war on Germany. 

As American involvement in the First World War against Germany, German State Secretary of Foreign Affairs Arthur Zimmermann sent a telegram to Mexico saying that if the U.S. declared war on Germany, they would help Mexico invade America to gain lands lost such as in New Mexico, Arizona and Texas.

The Zimmermann Note was intercepted by British code breakers who then told the Americans, rapidly increasing American resentment against Germany, being a major factor in America joining the war in April of the same year (National WWI Museum and Memorial) (National Archives) (History).

To read more daily facts and tidbits and about World War One , see the Barron Perspectives “On this Day Archives” webpage and articles such as “On This Day – November 20th (Battle of Cambrai)” and “On This Day – November 11th (World War One)”.