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Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, who is killed in Sarajevo along with his wife, Duchess Sophie. -
Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia
Russia mobilizes -
Germany declares war on Russia
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Germany declares war on France
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Austria-Hungary declares war on Russia and Serbia declares war on Germany.
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U.S. President Woodrow Wilson announces the U.S. will remain neutral
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The Battle of Tannenberg begins
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The First Battle of the Marne begins
Trench warfare begins as soldiers on both sides dig in. -
Battle of Ypres begins
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The United Kingdom announces that the North Sea is a military area, effectively creating a blockade of goods into Germany.
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The unofficial Christmas truce is declared
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Germany declares a "war zone" around Great Britain
essentially effecting a submarine blockade where even neutral merchant vessels were to be potential targets. -
The Dardanelles campaign begins
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The Second Battle of Ypres begins
It is during this battle that the Germans first use poison gas. -
The Battle of Gallipoli begins.
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The British ocean liner RMS Lusitania is sunk by German U-boat, U-20
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Tsar Nicholas II takes personal control over Russia's armies.
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The Battle of Verdun begins
The Battle of Verdun was the longest battle of World War I and was one of the bloodiest. -
The Battle of Jutland begins
the major naval battle of the war -
The Battle of the Somme begins
During the Battle of the Somme, tanks are first introduced into battle. -
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. -
Russian Tsar Nicholas II abdicates.
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The United States declares war on Germany
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The Battle of Passchendaele (also known as the Third Battle of Ypres) begins.
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The Bolsheviks successfully overthrow the Russian government
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The armistice agreed upon between the new Russian government and the Central Powers goes into effect
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U.S. President Woodrow Wilson issues his Fourteen Points to peace.
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Russia signs the Treaty of Brest Litovsk
it's a peace treaty between Russia and the Central Powers. -
Germany launches the Spring Offensive
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German flying ace, Baron Manfred von Richthofen (Red Baron) is shot down
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The Second Battle of the Marne begins
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German Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicates and flees Germany
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Germany signs the armistice at Compiegne, France. Fighting ends on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month
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The Treaty of Versailles officially ends WWI
