1915 was a year dominated by the global conflict of the First World War and by important developments in politics, science and culture. Military campaigns expanded and new technologies were used on a large scale, while civilian events and cultural works produced legacies that remain debated today.
Major events and military actions
- Gallipoli Campaign: Allied amphibious operations against the Ottoman Empire began in 1915, including the ANZAC landings; the campaign became a long and costly struggle that affected public memory in several nations.
- Second Battle of Ypres: Fought in spring 1915 on the Western Front, it saw the first extensive use of poison gas by German forces, altering the nature of modern warfare.
- Maritime and diplomatic crises: The sinking of the RMS Lusitania by a German submarine provoked international outrage and influenced neutral opinion toward the belligerents.
- Ottoman internal policies: That year the Ottoman government carried out mass deportations and killings of its Armenian population; these events are widely studied and described by many historians as crimes against the Armenian community.
Science, culture and public life
1915 was notable beyond the battlefields. In science, Albert Einstein completed the equations of general relativity and presented them to the academic community, a milestone in modern physics. In cinema, D. W. Griffith's film The Birth of a Nation reached wide public attention, achieving technical influence while generating lasting controversy over its portrayal of race and politics. Large public exhibitions, such as the Panama–Pacific International Exposition in San Francisco, showcased industry and art amid wartime tensions.
Calendar and notation
In the Gregorian system, 1915 was a common year beginning on Friday. For readers interested in calendar structure or historical dating conventions, see general summaries of the calendar and the Gregorian calendar.
Because it was set in the midst of a transformative global conflict, 1915 is often treated as a turning point in military practice, international relations and public consciousness. Its events influenced diplomatic alignments, technological developments, and cultural debates that continued to unfold through the remainder of the 20th century.