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The Archduke was assassinated by a member of a Serbian nationalist group. -
Because of the Archduke's assassination, Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia. This begins WW1. -
Austria-Hungary's invasion of Russia marks the beginning of Russia's stint in the war. -
Big Bertha was a massive weapon created by a German inventor. It launched a 2,100 pound shell across over 1500 yards. -
This battle occurred within the first week of the war, and was a massive defeat for Russia. It eliminated almost all of the Russian Second Army, and the commanding general at the time committed suicide out of shame.
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In an attempt to prevent the United Kingdom from traveling freely, a German torpedo crashed into the British cruise liner Lusitania, killing hundreds of people. -
This marks the beginning of Italy's small involvement in the war. -
The Battle at Verdun was the longest and bloodiest battle of WW1. 400,000 French soldiers died during this battle because of Germany's use of total war.
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The British launched an attack in the Somme river in northern France in an attempt to pull German troops away from Verdun.
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The U.S severs all diplomatic relations with Germany, which had been happening for decades. -
Germany was worried the U.S would step into the war, so they sent a telegram to Mexico asking them to join and defend them if the U.S joined. Mexico refused to join the war in the end. -
America stepped into the war to fight against Germany. They went against their own policy of isolationism. -
On this day, president Woodrow Wilson presented his 14 points that will bring peace after the war. -
Because of the rising Bolshevik Revolution in Russia, they are forced to pull out of the war. -
Russia signed this treaty with Germany to officially end its time in the war. -
The signing of the Treaty of Versailles officially ended the first world war.