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Archduke Assassination
Archduke Franz Ferdinand is assassinated in Sarajevo. His death is the event that sparks World War I. -
World War I Begins
Germany invades Belgium, beginning World War I. -
Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia
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Germany declares war on Russia
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Germany declares war on France
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The UK declares war on Germany
After Germany invades Belgium -
U.S. is neutral
U.S. President Woodrow Wilson announces the U.S. will remain neutral. -
Battle of Marne begins
The beginning of trench warfare. -
First Use of Lethal Gas
The Germans fire shells filled with chlorine gas at Allied lines. This is the first time that large amounts of gas are used in battle. -
Lusitania Sinks
A German submarine sinks the passenger liner Lusitania. The ship carries 1,198 people, 128 of them Americans. -
Tsar Nicholas II takes control over Russia's army
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Battle of Verdun begins
This was the longest battle of World War I, it also had some of the most fatalities out of any battle. -
Battle of the Somme begins
During the Battle of the Somme, tanks are first introduced. -
Germany sends Zimmerman Telegram
Germany sends the secret Zimmerman Telegram to Mexico in an effort to entice Mexico to join the war. The British intercept and decipher the coded message. -
Submarines Return
Germany resumes unrestricted submarine warfare. -
Russian Tsar Nicholas II leaves the throne
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The U.S. declares war on Germany
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U.S. Joins WWI
Congress authorizes a declaration of war against Germany. The United States enters World War I on the side of France and Britain. -
Selective Service Act
Congress passes the Selective Service Act authorizing the draft, -
Bolsheviks overthrow Russian government
The Bolsheviks successfully overthrow the Russian government during the 1917 Russian Revolution. -
Fourteen Points
President Woodrow Wilson issues his Fourteen Points to peace. -
Germany and Russia Peace
The Germans sign a peace treaty with the new Bolshevik government of Russia. -
Russia signs the Treaty of Brest Litovsk
It is a peace treaty between Russia and the Central Powers. -
Battle of Cantigny begins
The Battle of Cantigny is the first major American offensive of the war. -
Armistice Signed (WWI ends)
The eleventh hour, of the eleventh day, of the eleventh month. The Treaty of Versailles was signed, declaring the end of the war. This is also known as Armistice Day
