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the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie by Serbian nationalist Gavrilo Princip
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Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia after the assassination
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Germany declares war on Russia.Germany declares war on France
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The United Kingdom declares war on Germany, after Germany invades Belgium.
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The First Battle of the Marne begins. Trench warfare begins as soldiers on both sides dig in
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Germany declares a war zone around Great Britain, essentially effecting a submarine blockade where even neutral merchant vessels were to be potential targets
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the Battle of Verdun begins. The Battle of Verdun was the longest battle of World War 1 and was one of the bloodiest.
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The Battle of the Somme begins. During the Battle of the Somme, tanks are first introduced into battle
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Germany sends the secret Zimmerman Telegram to Mexico in an effort to entice Mexico to join the war. The British intercept and decipher the coded message.
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The United States declares war on Germany
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Germany signs the armistice at Compiegne, France. Fighting ends on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month