Stress rate effect (S=0.1 MP_a/sec. and 100 MP_a/sec.) for the mechanical behavior and the fracture in the graphite/epoxy cross-ply laminates T300/5208 (0°/90°)_2s is studied. This effect is slightly shown in transversal behavior and not in longitudinal behavior. There is no stiffness reduction in longitudinal behavior due to transversal cracking in 90°plies. The fiber stiffening effects compensate the matrix damage in the stiffness variation. In addition, the transversal damage development during monotonic tensile loading with very low stress rate is examined microscopically The experimental data shows five steps in the transversal crack development.