Cryptologic Bytes

"On This Date in Cryptologic History" Calendar

1917: President Wilson was informed of the contents of the Zimmermann telegram.

Wednesday, February 28, 2024

28 February 1917: President Wilson was informed of the contents of the Zimmerman telegram. (photo via National Archives)

In January of 1917, British cryptographers deciphered a telegram from German Foreign Minister Arthur Zimmermann to the German Minister to Mexico, von Eckhardt, offering United States territory to Mexico in return for joining the German cause. This message helped draw the United States into the war and thus changed the course of history. The telegram had such an impact on American opinion that, according to David Kahn, author of The Codebreakers, "No other single cryptanalysis has had such enormous consequences." It is his opinion that "never before or since has so much turned upon the solution of a secret message."

In an effort to protect their intelligence from detection and to capitalize on growing anti-German sentiment in the United States, the British waited until February 24 to present the telegram to Woodrow Wilson. The American press published news of the telegram on March 1. On April 6, 1917, the United States Congress formally declared war on Germany and its allies.

Learn more about the Zimmermann Telegram and watch a short video at the link below.

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