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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 Russia and Serbia declares war on Germany.
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U.S. President Woodrow Wilson announces the U.S. will remain neutral.
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The United Kingdom announces that the North Sea is a military area, effectively creating a blockade of goods into Germany.
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December 24 The unofficial Christmas truce is declared.
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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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poisen gas WW1The Second Battle of Ypres begins. It is during this battle that the Germans first use poison gas.
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people in the battleThe Battle of Passchendaele (also known as the Third Battle of Ypres) begins.
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The Battle of Verdun begins. The Battle of Verdun was the longest battle of World War I 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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The Bolsheviks successfully overthrow the Russian government during the 1917 Russian Revolution.
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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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