WW1 Timeline

The Assasination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and His Wife

Jun 28, 1914

The Archduke and his wife were shot and killed by Gavrilo Princip, a Bosnian student and member of the Serbian nationalist group, the Black Hand. The assassination took place near the Latin Bridge in Sarajevo, the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Great Britain Declared War on Germany

Aug 4, 1914

The German army, led by generals Alexander von Kluck and Karl von Bulow, invaded Belgium at 8:02 AM local time. This violated the Treaty of London, which protected Belgium's neutrality. This declared neutrality at the start of WW1

The German submarine U-20 torpedoed and sank the Lusitania

May 7, 1915

A swift moving British cruise liner traveling from New York to Liverpool, England. Of the 1,959 men, women, and children on board, 1,195 perished, including 123 Americans. The ship carried many people and supplies which was a cause to the war.

Woodrow Wilson Re-elected

Nov 7, 1916

Amidst the Mexican Revolution and World War I, Woodrow Wilson is re-elected as President of the United States, defeating Republican candidate Charles E. Hughes. Woodrow is an important part in WW1

The Interception and Decryption of the Zimmermann Telegram by British intelligence

Jan 19, 1917

The telegram was a secret diplomatic communication from the German Foreign Office to the German ambassador in Mexico. The telegram proposed a military alliance between Germany and Mexico if the United States entered World War I against Germany. The telegram's contents enraged Americans and helped to generate support for the American declaration of war on Germany in April 1917.

United States Formally Declared War Against Germany

Apr 6, 1917

Fighting since the summer of 1914, Britain, France, and Russia welcomed news that American troops and supplies would be directed toward the Allied war effort. Under the command of Major General John J. This was one of the major events that led to the war because they were finally ready to fight.

The First American troops landed in France during World War I

Jun 25, 1917

The first 14,000 U.S. infantry troops landed in France at the port of Saint Nazaire. The landing site had been kept secret because of the menace of German submarines. This was important because the first people landed to start the war.

U.S. Congress passes Sedition Act

May 16, 1918

the United States Congress passes the Sedition Act, a piece of legislation designed to protect America’s participation in World War I. This gave them the green light to start the war.

The Day when the Fighting in World War I Officially Ceased:

Nov 11, 1918

On November 11, 1918, the Allies and Germany signed an armistice in Compiegne, France, ending hostilities at 11 AM. The armistice was agreed to after a series of events, including the abdication of Emperor William II and the November Revolution in Germany.

the Treaty of Versaille was signed, officially ending World War I

Jun 28, 1919

The treaty was intended to permanently end the conflict between France and Germany. It included the Covenant of the League of Nations, which defined the League's purpose as "promoting international co-operation and to achieve international peace and security".