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A nationalist group in Serbia was formed called The Black Hand. The Archduke was scheduled for an inspection of Austria-Hungarian troops. Gavrilo Princip, a Serbian nationalist and a memeber of The Black Hand, assassinated the Archduke and his wife on the day of the inspection.
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The unofficial Christmas Day truce was declared by soldiers along the Western Front. It was a series of widespread unofficial ceasefires that took place along the Western Front around Christmas time. Tension was temporarily lessened.
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Germany was the first to use poison gas on a large scale which started the second Battle of Ypres.
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France, Russia, Italy and Britain conclude secret treaty. Italy was to leave the Triple Alliance and join Triple Entente and declare war against Germany and Austria-Hungary within a month.
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The Battle of Jutland was the only truly large-scale naval battle of the war. The battle was between Britain and Germany. Germany ultimately withdrew from the battle.
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Tanks were introduced for the first time on the Somme battlefield by the British. They were used to break the deadlock of trench warfare.
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The United States declared war on Germany in response to the sinking of US ships by German U boats.
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The Zimmerman Telegram, that suggested that Germany was willing to help Mexico regain territory in Texas and Arizona, intensified opinion against the Central Powers. This ultimately led to declaration of war.
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Haig directs start of successful Amiens offensive, forcing all German troops back to the Hindenburg Line. Ludendorff calls it a 'black day' for the German army.
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At 11 am, the Armistice was signed in France bringing the war to an end. The Armistice was signed by the Allies and Germany.
