100 Years Ago: Selective Service Act

May 18, 1917: President Woodrow Wilson readied the U.S. for the Great War (WW1) by signing the Selective Service Act passed by Congress.

25 million signed up
2.5 million ultimately drafted
2 million volunteered
117,000 died (50% to influenza)
675,000 Americans died from influenza brought back from the war

–WW1 propaganda poster