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Assignation of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
Gavrilo Princip, member of the Black hand, killed Ferdinand and his wife Sophie, the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne in Sarajevo, the Bosnian capital city. This caused Austria-Hungary to declare war on Serbia -
Austria-Hungary
Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia. This was the beginning of World War I. -
Germany Invades Luxembourg and Belgium
France began to invade Alsace. British forces soon arrive in France. All nations allied against Germany were Great Britain, Russia, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Rhodesia, Romania, Greece, France, Belgium, United States, Canada, Serbia, India, Portugal, Montenegro and Poland. -
First Battle of Marne
Germans invaded Belgium. At first, the Schlieffen Plan works. It forced allies back to Marne River 25 miles from Paris. The French launched a counterassault; after 5 days, had pushed the Germans back 40 miles. -
British Blockade
This blockade prevented America from supplying Germany with materials. Britain intended using it's powerful navy to "starve" Germany and Austria-Hungary into submission -
Italy declares war on Austria-Hungary
Italy joined allies with Britain, France and Russia. Because they signed the Treaty of London and wanting territory from Austria-Hungary, they were forced to attack them. When Italy signed the Treaty of London they committed themselves to enter WWI on the side of the allies. -
Germany begins the attack on Verdun
It began in the morning at 4am! The German Fifth Army, under Crown Prince Wilhelm, had massive artillery bombardment and a steady advance by troops. 5 days into the battle, German forces captured Fort Douaumont, the largest and highest of the 19 forts protecting Verdun. -
The Battle of the Somme
It lasted from July through November. It began as an Allied offensive against German forces on the Western Front. It eventually turned into one of the most gruesome and costly battles of WWI. -
United States declares war on Germany
President Woodrow Wilson asked a special joint session of the United States Congress for a declaration of war against the German Empire. A special joint session can be held on any special occasion. They are required to be held only when the president delivers a State of the Union address, when they gather to count and certify the votes of the Electoral College as the presidential election, or when they convene on the occasion of a presidential inauguration. -
Germany begins its final offensive of the war
Germany goal was to beat back advancing allied forces, in remembering the Battle of the Bulge. In the Battle of the Bulge, 77 years ago, Germany launched Ardennes Counteroffensive. The allies had complete air superiority over their German counterpart. -
United States forces are victorious in the Battle of Cantigny
This was the independent American operation. There was a full brigade of nearly 4,000 United States soldiers that captured the village of Cantigny. They took this from their German enemy. -
American forces stop German attempt to cross the Marne River at Chateau-Thierry
The AEF, American Expeditionary Forces, found itself in command of the valuable main bridge over the river in Chateau Thierry. The US had machine guns overlooking the site, which helped save the French army. The Germans were forced to end their attack and retreat due to extreme loss of life. -
Germany signs the Armistice at Compiègne, ending World War I.
At the 11th hour on the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, the war ends. Germany signed an armistice agreement with the Allies in a railroad car outside Compiègne, France.
