The Great War: 100 Years Ago

The United States, not a belligerent nation in 1916, was still rapidly expanding and modernizing its Navy. Ever since the launch of the South Carolina class (a competitor to the Dreadnought that could have been the first modern battleship) American naval units had in every way become rivals for their European opposites. The Pennsylvania-class ships, of which Arizona was the second, continued this trend of being larger, better armed, and carrier heavier armor. The Arizona had twelve, 14 inch cannons in four turrets, could steam at 21 knots, had a useful range of 8,500 miles, and had a 13-inch main armor belt. With powerful fleet units like these available in quantity, the United States represented a significant force that could tip the balance in the North Atlantic, and was the only major naval force that the United Kingdom could hope to attract to its side.

The Arizona would serve in the Great War, but would find fame when it was destroyed at anchor during the attack on Pearl Harbor in December, 1941.

Roger Castment, now considered the "father of twentieth-century human rights investigations," is executed for spying at Pentonville Prison.