February 3, 1917: U.S. Breaks Off Diplomatic Relations With Germany Over Torpedoing

On February 3, 1917,the United States broke off diplomatic relations with Germany, the same day an American cargo ship, the SS Housatonic, was sunk by a U-boat off Britain after the crew was allowed to board lifeboats.

Of interest, the Union warship USS Housatonic was sunk by the Confederate submarine Hunley in the Civil War.  This was the first time a submarine had sunk an enemy ship in history.

--Cooter