Head's Up, Franz! A World War I Timeline

The Assassination of Franz Ferdinand

Jun 28, 1914

Ferdniand, the Archduke of Austria-Hungary, was shot by Gavrilo Princep, a Serbian nationalist. Austria and Serbia had been at odds over who would control the Balkans. While the Serbian government was not behind the attacks at all, Austria demanded that they pay reparations. Europe's alliance system was thrown into chaos as Germany and Russia pledged to defend their allies if war broke out. Germany mobilized their army to preemptively support Austria, triggering World War I.

The Battle of Tannenberg

Aug 23, 1914

The German army deleted the Russian army on its way to invade Germany....

First Battle of the Marne

Sep 25, 1914

Sinking of the Lusitania

May 7, 1915

Battle of Verdun

Feb 21, 1916

The United States Enters the War

Apr 2, 1917

The German Spring Offensive of 1918

Mar 21, 1918

Second Battle of the Marne

Jul 16, 1918

Kaiser Abdication

Nov 9, 1918

World War I Ends

Nov 11, 1918