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The explosive that was World War One had been long in the stockpiling; the spark was the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne.
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Council of Austro-Hungarian Ministers finally determine on action against Serbia.
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Austro-Hungarian Government send ultimatum to Serbia.
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Austria-Hungary, unsatisfied with Serbia's response to her ultimatum (which in the event was almost entirely placatory: however her jibbing over a couple of minor clauses gave Austria-Hungary her sought-after cue) declared war on Serbia on 28 July 1914.
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Germany, allied to Austria-Hungary by treaty, viewed the Russian mobilisation as an act of war against Austria-Hungary, and after scant warning declared war on Russia on 1 August.
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France, bound by treaty to Russia, found itself at war against Germany and, by extension, on Austria-Hungary following a German declaration on 3 August. Germany was swift in invading neutral Belgium so as to reach Paris by the shortest possible route.
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Battle of the Gette
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Belgian Army retreats from the Gette on Antwerp.
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Trench warefare begins
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Battle of Soissons begins
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First airship raid on England
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Actions on the Suez Canal begin
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German submarine blockade of Great Britain begins
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Liquid fire first used by the Germans on the Western front.
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First British Attack on Hanna
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First Military Service Bill passed by British House of Commons
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Battle of Verdun begins
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Portugal seizes German steamers in the Tagus
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Russian battleship "Peresvyet" sunk by mine off Port Said.
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Settlement Treaty signed at Berlin between Germany and Turkey
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German "unrestricted submarine warfare" begins
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Air Ministry formed in Great Britain.
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British and United States troops cross the German frontier
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Formation of West Ukraine Republic announced
