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On this day, the only heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, was assassinated by the Serbian nationalist group Black Hand, funded by the Serbian government. As the king, Franz Joseph, is growing old, Austria-Hungary starts making plans for war.
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The German Empire's leader, Wilhelm II, urges Austria-Hungary to attack the Baltic states. A large war would serve German interests if they won, hampering the other major empires so Germany could more easily pursue power.
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The Prime Minister of Serbia, Nikolas Pasic, claims that Austria-Hungary was warned by Serbia of the assassination plot, but he quickly withdraws his claim and says that Serbia had no involvement whatsoever in the attack.
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In a meeting on July 7th, all members of the government express support for war except Istvan Tisza, who warns that any attack "would, as far as can humanly be foreseen, lead to an intervention by Russia and hence a world war."
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Austria-Hungary decides to draft a ultimatum with demands intended to be rejected to prevent the "odium of attacking Serbia without warning".
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Immediately after the ultimatum is finalized, Austria-Hungary asks all German embassies to say that. "If the Austro-Hungarian government is not going to abdicate forever as a great power, she has no choice but to enforce acceptance by...if necessary, resorting to military measures."
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The Austrian embassy in Serbia presents the Serbian government with the ultimatum, which asks for Serbia to retract all negative statements about Austria-Hungary ever made and to allow Austrio-Hungarian officials to control the country. If not answered by July 25, Austria would declare immediate war.
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Serbia, fully realizing that any rejection of Austro-Hungary's ultimatum would lead to war, mobilizes its full military.
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Tsar Nicholas II decides to put all Russian forces on alert, waiting for further instructions.
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After their ultimatum is rejected, Austro-Hungary first mobilizes 8 divisions on 25 July, then its whole army.
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The first shots are fired 29 July 1914 at 11:00 A.M during a bombardment of Belgrade by a Austrian ship, the SS Bodrog.
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Russians have partly mobilized against Austro-Hungary's borders. Britain warns Germany to not attack France lest they go to war with the Entente.
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Under pressure from Vladimir Sukhomlinov, the Russian Minister of War, Tsar Nicholas II fully mobilizes the Russian army.
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Using the Russian mobilization as a pretext, Germany declares war on Russia and Serbia while invading Luxembourg to attack France.
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When Belgium refuses to allow free passage of German troops to France, Germany declares war on both and invades Belgium.
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After a German ultimatum to England expires, Germany declares war on England and Austria-Hungary declares war on Russia. The Ottomans will not enter until October 29, 1914.
