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Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and wife
World War l was sparked by this assassination. They both were killed by a Serbian nationalist named Gavrilo Princip while the couple was visiting Sarajevo. -
Germany declares war on Russia
Russia was preparing to mobilize along the German frontier in Poland. The German Government were, therefore, obliged to make representations to the Government of His Majesty the Emperor of All the Russians and to insist upon a cessation of the aforesaid military acts. Russia having refused to comply with this demand, and having shown by this refusal that her action was directed against Germany. -
U.S. President Woodrow Wilson announces the U.S. will remain neutral
President Woodrow Wilson formally proclaims the neutrality of the United States. Which a lot of the Americans favored. It was soon ended when Germany attempted quarantine of the British Isles. Britain was one of America's closest trading partners, and tension arose between the United States and Germany when several U.S. ships traveling to Britain were damaged or sunk by German mines. -
The Second Battle of Ypres begins
This was fought for control of the strategic Flemish town of Ypres in western Belgium after the First Battle of Ypres the previous autumn. It is during this battle that the Germans first use poison gas. -
Battle of Verdum
The Battle of Verdun was the longest battle of World War l and was one of the bloodiest. -
The Battle of the Somme
During the Battle of the Somme, tanks are first introduced into battle. -
The United States declares war on Germany
United States Congress declared war upon the German Empire; on April 2nd, President Woodrow Wilson had asked a special joint session of Congress for this declaration. -
U.S. President Woodrow Wilson issues his Fourteen Points to Peace
Was given during his speech, which were given to help end World War l. -
Russia signs the Treaty of Brest Litovsk
Which is a peace treaty between Russia and the Central Powers. -
Germany launches the Spring Offensive
Series of German attacks along the Western Front during the first world war. The Germans had realized that their only remaining chance of victory was to defeat the Allies. -
German flying ace Baron Manfred von Richthofen is shot down
Was a German fighter pilot with the Imperial German Army Air Service during the first world war. He was considered the ace-of-aces of the war, being officially credited with 80 air combat victories. -
The Second Battle of the Marne begins
Was the last major German offensive on the Western Front during the first world war. -
German Kaiser Wilhelm ll abdicates and flees Germany
An ineffective war-time leader, he lost the support of the army, abdicated in November 1918, and fled to exile in the Netherlands. -
Germany signs armistice at Compiegne, France
Fighting ends on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. -
The Treaty of Versailles officially ends WWl
Brought World War l to an end. The treaty ended the state of war between Germany and the Allied Powers.
