World War I European Events

Assassination

Jun 28, 1914

Francisco Ferdinand is assassinated at Sarajevo

Austria-Hungary

Jul 5, 1914

Kaiser William II promised German support for Austria against Serbia.

Serbia

Jul 28, 1914

Emperor Franz Joseph declares war against Serbia.

Belgium

Aug 3, 1914

Belgium is invaded and defeated by Germany.

Great Britain

Aug 4, 1914

Britain declares war on Germany due to the events of Germany invading and defeating Belgium.

France

Aug 22, 1914

The Battle of the Frontiers -- 27,000 French soldiers in a day while thrusting through to the east of Paris, towards the German border.

Germany

Aug 26, 1914

Germany defeats Russia in the Battle of Tennenburg.

Russia

Aug 30, 1914

Russia is defeated in the Battle of Tennenburg by Erich Ludendorff and Paul von Hindenburg, leaders of the German army.

Ottoman Empire

Oct 29, 1914

Turkey enters the war on the side of Germany as three war ships shell the Russian port of Odessa.

Italy

May 23, 1915

Italy enters the war on the side of the allies by declaring war on Austria-Hungary. The Italians focused their attacks on the mountain passes of Trentino and the valley of the Insonzo River.

Bulgaria

Oct 6, 1915

Bulgarians attack the poorly supplied troops of Serbia from the east. The Bulgarians capture Kumanova, severing the country's north-south rail line.

Portugal

Mar 9, 1916

Germany declares war on Portugal.

Romania

Apr 30, 1916

Romania crosses over into Transylvania, declaring war with Austria-Hungary.

Greece

Jul 2, 1917

Greece declares war on the Central Powers. Greek soldiers are added to the Allied ranks.