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Archduke Franz Ferdinand, prince to the Austria-Hungary throne, is assassinated in Sarajevo by a Serbian named Gavrilo Princip.
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Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia. Russia begins mobilizing its troops.
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Germany declares war on France as part of the Schlieffen Plan.
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Germany invades Belgium. Britain declares war on Germany.
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The Battle of Tannenberg is fought between Germany and Russia. The Germans defeat the Russian Second Army.
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The Allies attack the Ottoman Empire at the Battle of Gallipoli. This campaign will last over eight months and will end as a victory for the Ottomans and the retreat of the Allies.
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The Lusitania, a luxury British passenger ship, is sunk by a German submarine. 1,195 civilians were killed. This act sparks international outrage and contributes to the United States joining the war against Germany.
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The Battle of Verdun begins between France and Germany. This battle will last until December of 1916 and will finally result in a French victory.
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The largest naval battle of the war, the Battle of Jutland, is fought between Britain and Germany in the North Sea.
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The Battle of the Somme begins. Over 1 million soldiers will be wounded or killed.
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The British intercept the Zimmerman Telegram in which Germany tries to convince Mexico to join the war. This will result in the United States declaring war on Germany.
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The United States enters the war, declaring war on Germany.
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The Russians agree to peace with the Central powers and leave the war.
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President Woodrow Wilson issues his "Fourteen Points" for peace and an end to the war.
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The Second Battle of the Marne begins. This battle will end on August 6 as a decisive victory for the Allies.
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Germany agrees to an armistice and the fighting comes to an end at 11am on the 11th day of the 11th month.
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The Treaty of Versailles is signed by Germany and World War I comes to an end.