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Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
On June 28, 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria was assassinated in Sarajevo by Gavrilo Princip, a Serbian nationalist. This event triggered a series of reactions that led to the war. -
Outbreak of War
On August 5, 1914, World War I officially erupted. Italy initially remained neutral, while the Germans invaded Belgium and subsequently France, leading to trench warfare. -
Alliances
The Triple Entente, consisting of Russia, England, and France, opposed the Triple Alliance, composed of Turkey, Bulgaria, Austria, and Germany. Over the course of the conflict, other countries joined the two sides. -
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Battle of Verdun
In 1916, the French and Germans clashed in the brutal Battle of Verdun, one of the bloodiest battles of the war. -
Entry of the United States
In 1917, the United States entered the war alongside the Allies. -
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Defeat at Caporetto
In 1917, the Italians suffered a severe defeat at Caporetto, but General Diaz took command and turned the situation around. -
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Armistice and Surrender
In 1918, Austria signed an armistice with Italy, followed by Germany's surrender.