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Archduke and his wife were shot dead in Sarajevo by Gavrilo Princip. The political objective of the assassination was to break off Austria-Hungary's south-Slav provinces.
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Germany declares war on neutral Belgium and invades it to defeat France quickly. As a result of this invasion, Britain declares war on Germany and Austria-Hungary.
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The Italians launch an unsuccessful attack against Austro-Hungary called the 1st Battle of Isonzo.
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The Battle of Verdun begins as the Germans launch a massive attack against Verdun. Became longest battle of the war.
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Romania enters the war on the side of the Allies. But within a few months it was occupied by the Germans and Austrians
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The first German air raid took place in London. The Germans hoped that by making raids on London and the South East, the British Air Force would have to protect the home front rather than attacking the German air force.
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The United States of America declared war on Germany in response to the sinking by the German U boats, of US ships.
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Germany and Austria send peace notes to US President Woodrow Wilson requesting an armistice.
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The revolt by Communists in Berlin was crushed & theGerman socialist rebels Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg were murdered
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The U.S. President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed an Armistice Day for November 11, 1919 "To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations."
- Woodrow Wilson
