On This Day

The French try to drive the Germans forces back into the Champagne region

The Race to the Sea (French: Course à la mer; German: Wettlauf zum Meer, Dutch: Race naar de Zee) took place from 17 September to 19 October 1914 during the First World War, after the Battle of the...

The Race to the Sea (French: Course à la mer; German: Wettlauf zum Meer, Dutch: Race naar de Zee) took place from 17 September to 19 October 1914 during the First World War, after the Battle of the Frontiers (7 August – 13 September) and the German advance into France. The invasion had been stopped at the First Battle of the Marne (5–12 September) and was followed by the First Battle of the Aisne (13–28 September), a Franco-British counter-offensive. The term describes reciprocal attempts by the Franco-British and German armies to envelop the northern flank of the opposing army through the provinces of Picardy, Artois and Flanders, rather than an attempt to advance northwards to the sea.

Historical Significance

The Race to the Sea (French: Course à la mer; German: Wettlauf zum Meer, Dutch: Race naar de Zee) took place from 17 September to 19 October 1914 during the First World War, after the Battle of the Frontiers (7 August – 13 September) and the German advance into France.

Events Before

  1. Kornelis "Klaas" ter Laan becomes the Netherlands' first socialist mayor in Zaandam

    Kornelis "Klaas" ter Laan becomes the Netherlands' first socialist mayor in Zaandam

  2. Danish "Out of Africa" author Karen Blixen (28), pen name Isak Dinesen marries her 2nd cousin Baron Hans von Blixen-Fine

    Danish "Out of Africa" author Karen Blixen (28), pen name Isak Dinesen marries her 2nd cousin Baron Hans von Blixen-Finecke

  3. "The Squaw Man," the first feature-length film shot in Hollywood, directed by Cecil B. DeMille and Oscar Apfel, is relea

    "The Squaw Man," the first feature-length film shot in Hollywood, directed by Cecil B. DeMille and Oscar Apfel, is released in the US

  4. First successful non-direct blood transfusion is performed by Dr. Albert Hustin in Brussels

    First successful non-direct blood transfusion is performed by Dr. Albert Hustin in Brussels

  5. Film serial "The Perils of Pauline" is shown for the first time in Los Angeles, California

    Film serial "The Perils of Pauline" is shown for the first time in Los Angeles, California

Events After

  1. The first blood transfusion using stored and cooled blood is performed during World War I

    The first blood transfusion using stored and cooled blood is performed during World War I

  2. Rodman Wanamaker organises a lunch to discuss forming a golfers association (later the PGA) at the Taplow Club, Martiniq

    Rodman Wanamaker organises a lunch to discuss forming a golfers association (later the PGA) at the Taplow Club, Martinique Hotel, New York City

  3. Battle of Verdun begins with a German offensive, leads to an estimated 1 million casualties, and becomes the longest bat

    Battle of Verdun begins with a German offensive, leads to an estimated 1 million casualties, and becomes the longest battle of the entire war (9 months)

  4. British author of "The Lord of the Rings", J.R.R. Tolkien marries Edith Mary Bratt at St. Mary Immaculate Roman Catholic

    British author of "The Lord of the Rings", J.R.R. Tolkien marries Edith Mary Bratt at St. Mary Immaculate Roman Catholic Church, Warwick

  5. Actress Gloria Swanson (17) weds actor Wallace Beery (30)

    Actress Gloria Swanson (17) weds actor Wallace Beery (30)

More from the 1910s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on February 13, 1915?
The Race to the Sea (French: Course à la mer; German: Wettlauf zum Meer, Dutch: Race naar de Zee) took place from 17 September to 19 October 1914 during the First World War, after the Battle of the Frontiers (7 August – 13 September) and the German advance into France. The invasion had been stopped at the First Battle of the Marne (5–12 September) and was followed by the First Battle of the Aisne (13–28 September), a Franco-British counter-offensive. The term describes reciprocal attempts by the Franco-British and German armies to envelop the northern flank of the opposing army through the provinces of Picardy, Artois and Flanders, rather than an attempt to advance northwards to the sea.
Why is The French try to drive the Germans forces back into the Champagne region significant?
The Race to the Sea (French: Course à la mer; German: Wettlauf zum Meer, Dutch: Race naar de Zee) took place from 17 September to 19 October 1914 during the First World War, after the Battle of the Frontiers (7 August – 13 September) and the German advance into France.

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