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Woodrow Wilson's Presidency Began
Woodrow Wilson, who was the 28th president of the United States, began his presidency on March 4, 1913. -
Archduke Franz Ferdinand and Grand Duchess Sophie were Assassinated
On June 28, 1914, after Serbian Gavrilo Princip assassinated the Austro-Hungarian heirs to the throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Grand Duchess Sophie, vengeful nationalist leaders believed the time had arrived to eliminate the rebellious ethnic Serbian threat. -
Austria Declared War on Serbia
On July 28, 1914, Austria declared war on Serbia for Serbia's failure to meet all of the demands that Austria gave to them in order to foster peace. -
Germany Declared War on Russia
On August 1, 1914, Germany declared war on Russia to protect Austria after warnings directed at Tsar Nicholas II failed to stop Russian preparations for war. -
Great Britain Declared War on Germany
On August 4, 1914, Great Britain declared war on Germany for failing to respect Belgium as a neutral nation. -
The Sinking of The RMS Lusitania
In May 1915, Germans sank the RMS Lusitania. Over a hundred American lives were lost. -
The United States Congress Declared War on Germany
The United States Congress declared war on Germany on April 4, 1917 due to German actions such as sinking The RMS Lusitania. -
The Approval of the Selective Service Act
Despite fears of popular resistance, the United States Congress quickly instituted a reasonably equitable and locally administered system to draft men for the military. On May 18, 1917, Congress approved the Selective Service Act, and President Wilson signed it a week later. The new legislation avoided the unpopular system of bonuses and substitutes used during the Civil War and was generally received without major objection by the American people. -
World War I Ended
November 11, 1918 marked the end of the first World War.