World War I

Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand

Jun 28, 1914

Franz was the heir to the Austro-Hungarian empire., and his assassination in Sarajevo, Bosnia was a main cause of the war.

Austria-Hungary Declares war on Serbia

Jul 28, 1914

"This is a dark day and a dark hour. The sword is being forced into my hand. This war will demand of us enormous sacrifice in life and money, but we shall show our foes what it is to provoke Germany.”
-– Kaiser Wilhelm II, July 31, 1914

Germany Declares War on Russia

Aug 1, 1914

Germany Declares War on France

Aug 3, 1914

Germany invaded Belgium but was not successful

Woodrow WIlson Declares Neutrality

Aug 4, 1914

The United states neutrality did not last

Austria-Hungary Declares War on Russia

Aug 6, 1914

Japan Declares War on Germany

Aug 23, 1914

Battle of Tannenberg

Aug 26, 1914

Footage of prisonersOne of the very first battles of WWI that resulted in Russian defeat and weakened the Russian army a great deal.

Ottoman Empire Joins War

Oct 29, 1914

Joined on central powers side with the Turco-German Alliance in August, but formally entered in October

Lusitania Sinks

May 7, 1915

British ocean liner was torpedoed and sunk by German U-boats while on its way to Liverpool. 128 American lives were lost.

Battle of Verdun

Feb 21, 1916

This battle was the longest of the first world war, lasting from February to December. Although the exact number of casualties are unknown, it's said that there may have been up to 700,000 total (both sides). This battle ultimately led to the Battle of the Somme.

1st Battle of Somme

Jul 1, 1916

Took place along the River Somme, at about the mid point of the war.

Zimmerman Telegram

Jan 1, 1917

Telegram that was intercepted, going from German foreign secretary to the German ambassador in Mexico, proposing an alliance if there was war between Germany and the United States.

United States Joins the War

Apr 2, 1917

Joins its allies: Britain, France, Russia, Serbia, Italy, etc after senate votes to declare war on Germany 82 to 6

Battle of Arras

Apr 9, 1917

British offensive battle

Selective Service Act Passed

May 18, 1917

Resulted in millions of men registering

Third Battle of Ypres/Passchendaele

Jul 31, 1917

Allies won

Battle of Cambrai

Nov 20, 1917

British offensive that introduced the usage of several tanks.

Spring Offensive

Mar 21, 1918

Also known as the Ludendorff Offensive, in which Germany attacked the Western Front. Germany had so much success that many thought the war was over. Kaiser Wilhelm II even declared March 24th a national holiday.

Battle of Lys

Apr 9, 1918

Caused critical damage to German army and paved the way for strong allied forces in the last 100 days.

Battle of Cantigny

May 27, 1918

The United States' first significant offensive battle in the war.

Battle of Bellaeu Wood

Jun 1, 1918

Was one of the bigger battles that America (U.S. Marines) fought in.

Chateau Thierry Battle

Jun 4, 1918

U.S. response to German offense, stop Germany's advance on Paris

2nd Battle of Marne

Jul 15, 1918

One of the final German offenses of the war, it resulted in a significant Allied victory

Hundred Days Offensive

Aug 8, 1918

Led to the end of the war on November 11th.

St. Mihiel Battle

Sep 15, 1918

Allied forces push Germans to retreat

Kaiser gave up his throne in Germany

Nov 9, 1918

Kaiser's abdication

Signing of the Armistice

Nov 11, 1918

Ended WWI

Treaty of Versailles signed

Jun 28, 1919

Treaty