The RMS Lusitania was a British ocean liner launched in 1906, known for its speed and luxury. It was one of the largest ships of its time and operated transatlantic routes between Liverpool and New York City. On May 7, 1915, during World War I, the Lusitania was torpedoed by a German submarine, resulting in the deaths of 1,198 passengers and crew. This event heightened tensions between Germany and the United States, contributing to the U.S. entering the war two years later.