World War 1 and Treaty of Versailles By Jkapp3 Jun 28, 1914 Archduke Franz Ferdinand assassinated. Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austria-Hungarian empire is assassinated in Sorajevo. Period: Jun 28, 1914 to Jun 28, 1919 WWI TImeline Jul 28, 1914 Austria-Hunagry declares war on Serbia. Aug 1, 1914 Germany declares war on Russia. Aug 3, 1914 Germany declares war on France. Aug 4, 1914 Germany invades neutral Belgium. Aug 4, 1914 Austria-Hungary declares war on Russia. Sep 15, 1914 First trenches of the Western Front are dug. Feb 4, 1915 Germany declares submarine blockade of Britain. Feb 21, 1916 Battle of Verdun begins. Apr 19, 1916 Wilson warns against unrestricted sub warfare. Dec 7, 1916 David Lloyd George becomes prime minister of Britain. Feb 1, 1917 Germany redeclares use of unrestricted sub warfare. Apr 6, 1917 Wilson tells congress to declare war on Germany. Jul 3, 1917 First US expeditionary force lands in France. Oct 23, 1917 American troops experience their first combat. Jan 8, 1918 Wilson declares his 14 points as path to world peace. Aug 8, 1918 German troops begin to retreat on Western Front. Nov 11, 1918 War ends as combatants sign armistice. Dec 4, 1918 Wilson begins journey to Paris Peace Conference. Jun 28, 1919 Treaty of Versailles is signed by combatants.