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assasination of Archduke Ferdinand
heir to the throne assasinated by a serbian -
austria-hungary declared war on serbia
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Russia announces full mobilization for war
Russia prepares to back up serbia against austria-hungary -
Germany declares war on France.
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The Battle of the Frontiers
The Battle of the Frontiers" -- 27,000 French soldiers die on this single day in an offensive thrust to the east of Paris, towards the German borders -
Total war
War becomes "Total War" with German Zeppelin air raid on England -
Lusitania
U-boat sinks the Lusitania. 1,198 civilians, including 128 Americans die. -
Battle of Vendun
The longest battle of the war, the Battle of Verdun, is fought to a draw with an estimated one million casualties. 21 Feb- 18 Dec -
The Battle of the Somme
The Battle of the Somme results in an estimated one million casualties and no breakthrough for the Allies. British introduce the tank, an effective weapon but far to few to make much of a difference. -
America joins wwi
The US declares war on Germany -
Selective Services
The United States passes the Selective Service Act empowering the Federal Government to draft men for the armed forces