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Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary and his wife, Sophie, were assassinated in Sarajevo by Gavrilo Princip, a Bosnian Serb nationalist. This event set off a chain reaction of alliances and tensions, unlimited leading to the outbreak of WW1. -
Austria-Hungary issued an ultimatum to Serbia, which Serbia partially rejected. This led Austria-Hungary to declare war, sparking a conflict that escalated as other nations joined in due to alliances. -
Germany's invasion of neutral Belgium was part of its Schlieffen plan to quickly defeat France. This act violated Belgium's neutrality and drew Britain into the war against Germany. -
This battle marked a turning point early in the war. The Allies successfully halted the German advance toward Paris, resulting in the start of Tench warfare, which would define the Western Front. -
during Christmas, soldiers on both sides of the western front agreed to a temporary truce. They exchanged greetings, snags carols, and even played soccer. It was a rare moment of humanity amidst the brutal war. -
The Gallipoli campaign, led by the Allies, aimed to open a supply route to Russia and defeat the ottoman empire. however, the campaign failed, resulting in heavy casualties and a major allied defeat. -
A German U-boat sank the British passenger liner Lusitania, killing 1,198 people, including128 Americans. This event increased tensions between Germany and the U.S. and moved the U.S. closer to entering the war. -
Germany sent a secret massage to Mexico, proposing an alliance against the U.S. in exchange for helping Mexico regain lost territories. The British intercepted the telegram, and its publication angered Americans. -
This was one of the longest and bloodiest battle of the war. The German army aimed to "bleed France white" but targeting Verdun, a symbolic French city. both sides suffered massive losses, with little territorial gain. -
One of the largest battles of the war, the battle of the Somme resulted in over 1 million casualties. It highlights the futility of trench warfare, as advanced were minimal despite the heavy losses. -
The United States declared war on Germany after repeated U-boat attacks on American ships and the Zimmermann telegram. The U.S. entry provided critical manpower and resources for the Allies. -
The Bolsheviks, led by Vladmir Lenin, overthrew the Russian government. Russia withdrew from the war after signing the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with Germany, allowing Germany to focus on the Western Front. -
An armistice was singed in a railway carriage in France, ending the fighting on the western front this day is now commemorated as Armistice or Veterans Day. -
Leaders from Allied nations gathered to negotiate peace terms after the war. Key figures included Woodrow Wilson, David Lloyd Geroge, Georges Clemenceau, and Vittorio Orlando. -
The treaty officially ended the war, imposing harsh penalties on Germany, including reparations, territorial losses, and military restrictions. It also established the Legue of Nations.