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Archduke Assassination
Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated in Sarajevo. His death is the event that sparks World War I. He was the heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary. This soon led to the outbreak of war in Europe at the end of July 1914. Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. -
WW1 Begins
Germany invades Belgium which began WW1. Germany declared war on France. To avoid the French fortifications along the French-German border, the troops had to cross Belgium and attack the French Army by the north. Of course, Belgians refused to let them through, so the Germans decided to enter by force and invaded Belgium.
https://www.army.mil/article/200760/belgium_us_involvement_in_world_war_i -
The French
The French desire to score a quick victory ignites the first major French-German action of the war. The French Army invades Alsace and Lorraine according to their master strategy known as Plan XVII. However, the French offensive is met by effective German counter-attacks using heavy artillery and machine-guns. The French suffer heavy casualties including 27,000 soldiers killed in a single day, the worst one-day death toll in the history of the French Army. -
Austria-Hungary Invades Russia
In addition, Austria-Hungary was allied with Germany — which obligated it to fight off Russia armies' westward thrust. Because after they declared war on Serbia, the Russians had to join as they held an alliance. This meant that the Austro-Hungarian Forces had to attack Russia or at least Defend. -
German Troops Occupy Undefended Brussels
The main German armies continue westward and invade France according to their master strategy known as the Schlieffen Plan. It calls for a giant counter-clockwise movement of German armies wheeling into France, swallowing up Paris, and then attacking the rear of the French armies concentrated in the Alsace-Lorraine area.
http://www.historyplace.com/worldhistory/firstworldwar/index-1914.html#july1914 -
Battle of Tannenberg
The Russian army invades Prussia. The Germans use their railway system to surround the Russians and inflict heavy causalities. Tens of thousands of Russians are killed and 125,000 are taken prisoner. The Battle of Tannenberg was fought between Russia and Germany between the 26th and 30th of August 1914, the first month of World War I. The battle resulted in the almost complete destruction of the Russian Second Army and the suicide of its commanding general, Alexander Samsonov. -
Trench Warfare Begins
The Western Front in Europe stabilizes in the aftermath of the First Battle of Ypres as the Germans go on the defensive and transfer troops to the East to fight the Russians. The 450-mile-long Western Front stretches from the Channel Coast southward through Belgium and Eastern France into Switzerland. Troops from both sides construct opposing trench fortifications and dugouts protected by barbed wire, machine-gun nests, snipers, and mortars, with an in-between area called No Man's Land. -
Trench Warfare
The French begin a series of attacks along the Western Front against the Germans in the Artois region of northern France and Champagne in the south. Hampered by a lack of heavy artillery and muddy winter conditions, the French fail to make any significant gains and both offensives are soon suspended. -
First Christmas
A Christmas truce occurs between German and British soldiers in the trenches of northern France. All shooting stops as the soldiers exit their trenches, exchange gifts, sing carols and engage in a soccer game. This is the only Christmas truce of the war, as Allied commanders subsequently forbid fraternization with orders to shoot any violators. -
Germans Fire
The Germans fired shells filled with chlorine gas at Allied lines. This is the first time that large amounts of gas are used in battle, and the result is the near-collapse of the French lines. However, the Germans are unable to take advantage of the breach. -
Italy Declared War On Austria-Hungary
On this day in 1915, Italy declares war on Austria-Hungary, entering World War I on the side of the Allies—Britain, France, and Russia. The decision to join the fray on the side of the Allies was based largely on the assurances Italy received in the Treaty of London, signed in April 1915. -
Germany Began The Attack On Verdun
The Battle of Verdun in 1916 was the longest single battle of World War One. The casualties from Verdun and the impact the battle had on the French Army was a primary reason for the British starting the Battle of the Somme in July 1916 in an effort to take German pressure off of the French at Verdun. -
First Battle of The Somme Begins
The First Battle of the Somme begins. The British offensive is intended to draw German attention from Verdun, and in that regard only could it be considered a success. The nearly 20,000 killed in action on July 1 marks the single bloodiest day in the history of the British army. By the time the Somme campaign ground to a halt some four and a half months later, the combined casualties of both sides topped 1,000,000.
https://www.britannica.com/list/timeline-of-world-war-i -
The United States Declared War On Germany
America Declares War on Germany, 1917. At 8:30 on the evening of April 2, 1917, President Wilson appeared before a joint session of Congress and asked for a declaration of war against Germany in order to make the world safe for democracy. On April 4, Congress granted Wilson's request.
https://www.britannica.com/event/Battle-of-Verdun -
Battle of Belleau Wood
The Battle of Belleau Wood begins as the U.S. Marine Corps attacks the Germans across an open field of wheat, suffering huge casualties. -
Belleau Wood Ends
The Battle of Belleau Wood ends with the final expulsion of the Germans from the wood, which marks the farthest German advance on Paris. The area has changed hands six times during the three-week battle, which has caused nearly 10,000 American casualties. -
Armistice Day
On Nov. 11, 1918, fighting in World War I came to an end following the signing of an armistice between the Allies and Germany that called for a ceasefire effective at 11 a.m.– it was on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. -
Germany Signed The Armistice At Compiègne Ending World War I
Armistice of 11 November 1918 was the armistice that ended fighting on land, sea, and air in World War I between the Allies and their opponent, Germany. ... Paris time on 11 November 1918 and marked a victory for the Allies and a defeat for Germany, although not formally a surrender.
https://learning.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/11/11/nov-11-1918-world-war-i-ends/ -
Treaty of Versailles
Allied and German representatives sign the treaty of Versailles. The United States signs the treaty of guaranty, pledging to defend France in case of an unprovoked attack by Germany. -
United States Senate Failed To Ratify Treaty of Versailles
On Nov. 19, 1919, the Senate rejected the Treaty of Versailles based primarily on objections to the League of Nations. The U.S. would never ratify the treaty or join the League of Nations.
