-
Archduke Franz Ferdinando shot dead.
Assassination occured in Sarajevo, Austria-Hungary. -
Austrian investigators link the assassination to a Serbian nationalist terrorist group known as the Black Hand.
The Black Hand was dedicated to that unification of south Slavs to form a greater Serbia, explaining why Ferdinand was chosen in the political assassination. -
Austrians issue an ultimatum to the Serbian government.
Demanded that Austrian officials could be involved in any investigation of the assassination on Serbian territory. -
Austria declared the ultimatum response unsatisfactory and delcares war on Serbia
The Serbian government accepted all terms except for one, declaring it infringed on their sovereignty. -
Russian army mobilizes its troops to defend its Serbian ally and itself from Germany.
A step relucantly taken by Tsar Nicholas II after being advised that not doing so would upset their military plans and timetables. -
Germany sends an ultimatum to Russia demanding a stop to their troops and one to France inquiring what their intentions were if Germany and Russia were to go to war.
The Russians replied with "impossible", and France never responded. -
Germany declares war of Russia, and mobilizes towards France.
-
Germany declares war on France.
Also invades Belguim in accordance with the Schleiffen plan, to attack the French army.