-
Archduke Francis Ferdinand is assassinated.
-
Kaiser William II promises German support for Austria against Serbia.
-
Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia and Russia.
-
Russia begins to mobilise her armed forces. Austria-Hungarian troops invade Serbia.
-
Official outbreak of World War I. Germany declares war on Russia.
-
Germany declares war on France.
-
The British Expeditionary Force lands in France to assist the French and Belgians in stopping the German offensive.
-
Russia invades East Prussia
-
U.S President Wilson appeals for neutrality.
-
27,000 French soldiers are killed on this single day in an offensive thrust to the east of Paris, towards the German borders.
-
First Battle of the Marne begins.
-
First Battle of Ypres begins.
-
First German air raid on Britain.
-
An unofficial Christmas truce is declared by soldiers along the Western Front.