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Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to Austria-Hungary's throne, and his wife, Sophie, are assassinated by Serbian nationalist Gavrilo Princip while the couple were visiting Sarajevo.
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Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia.
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Germany has declared war on Russsia and France. The United Kingdom has declared war on Germany, after Germany invaded Belgium. Austria-Hungary declared war on Russia and Serbia declared war on Germany.
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U.S. President Woodrow Wilson announces the U.S. will remain neutral.
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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 Second Battle of Ypres begins. It is during this battle that the Germans first use poison gas.
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The Battle of Verdun begins. The Battle of Verdun was the longest battle of World War I and one of the bloodiest.
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The Battle of Jutland, the major naval battle of the war, begins.
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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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The United States declares war on Germany.
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November 7 - The Bolsheviks successfully overthrow the Russian government.
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The armistice agreed upon between the new Russian government and the Central Powers goes into effect.
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U.S. President Woodrow Wilson issues his Fourteen Points to peace.
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Russia signs the Treaty of Brest Litovsk, which is a peace treaty between Russia and the Central Powers.
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German Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicates and flees Germany.
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Germany signs the armistice at Compiegne, France. Fighting ends.
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The Treaty of Versailles officially ends WWI.
