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The Assassination of the Archduke Franz Ferdinand
Garvilo Princip threw a bomb and on an open-topped car and assassinated the Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, and his wife. Princip was one of the 6 people involved in the assassination who were all members of the Black Hand society, fighting against Austria-Hungary’s attempt to overthrow Serbia. -
British's Ultimatum to Germany
Britain gave Germany an ultimatum to withdraw its army in Belgium. Germany had until midnight of August 3rd to withdraw its army, otherwise, Britain and all British alliances would declare war on Germany the following day. -
The British Declaration of War
August 4, 1914, Canada entered World War 1 along with Newfoundland, Britain and all of the colonies and dominions of the British Empire. Their declaration of war against Germany as a result of Germany’s refusal to withdraw its army. -
The Second Battle of Ypres
Canada’s first major battle, the second battle of Ypres, began on August 22, 1914. The Germans significantly used mustard gas against the Canadians regardless of their effect on both German and Canadian soldiers. Those that inhaled the gas would have their throat and lungs blistered from the burning sensation. Despite the fact that the German Empire used the gas against the Canadians, Canada was still able to defeat the Germans in this battle. -
The Battle of Vimy Ridge
On April 9, 1917, four divisions of the Canadian Corps captured Vimy Ridge from the Germans in battle. The battle of Vimy Ridge took place on the Western Front of Northern France. At the time, the battle of Vimy Ridge was the largest territorial advance of any Allied force. The Canadians had 8 tanks to support them during this battle. Although Canada won the battle, 3,598 out of the 10,602 Canadian casualties were dead. -
Billy Bishop's Attack at Dawn
On June 2, 1917, Billy Bishop flew across enemy lines and shot down three German Albatrosses and several other aircraft on the ground. As a result of his great efforts, Bishop was awarded the Victoria Cross later that year. -
The Battle of Passchendaele
On October 26, 1917, the Battle of Passchendaele, also known as the Third battle of Ypres began. The soldiers of Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and France fought against the German Empire in Passchendaele, Belgium. The Germans and Allied armies were in deadlock there for years. During this battle, almost 16,000 Canadians were killed or wounded. -
The Halifax Explosion
On December 6, 1917, two ships collided in the harbourfront in Halifax, Nova Scotia. One of the ships was filled with ammunition for the war. The collision caused an explosion and wiped out all of Northern Halifax, followed by a subsequent tsunami. There were 2,000 people dead, 9,000 maimed or blind, and 25,000 left with no shelter or home. -
The Battle of the Hindenburg Line
The 56 hours long Battle of the Hindenburg line began on September 2, 1918. The allied forces broke through the Hindenburg Line, the last line of German defenses on the Western Front. The Australians and Americans attacked the Germans with tanks, aircraft, and artillery, forcing the Germans to retreat. -
Amistrice
On November 11, 1918, the Allied Powers signed an agreement to a ceasefire with the German Empire in France at 11:00 am. All the soldiers happily came home to see their families after serving their countries. This agreement declared the end of what we now know as World War 1.
