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The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
Two bullets fired on a Sarajevo street on a sunny June morning in 1914 set in motion a series of events that shaped the world we live in today. World War One, World War Two, the Cold War and its conclusion all trace their origins to the gunshots that interrupted that summer day. -
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WWI
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Battle of Verdun
Verdun resulted in 306,000 battlefield deaths, 163,000 French and 143,000 German combatants. plus at least half a million wounded, 30,000 deaths for each of the ten months of the battle. -
"Peace without Victory." speech is made by President Wilson.
Before the United States entered World War I (1914-1918), President Woodrow Wilson tried to serve as a peacemaker between the Allies and the Central Powers. In a January 22, 1917 speech before the U.S. Senate, he called for a “peace without victory.” -
U.S. declares war on Germany
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. -
The first United States troops arrived in France
During World War I, the first 14,000 U.S. troops land in France at Saint Nazaire. The landing site had been kept secret because of the menace of German submarines, but by the time the Americans had lined up to take their first salute on French soil, an enthusiastic crowd had gathered to welcome them. However, the "Doughboys," as the British referred to the green American troops, were untrained, ill-equipped, and far from ready for the difficulties of fighting along the Weste -
Great offensive by Germans
In the spring of 1918, Luderndorff ordered Germans attack on the Western Front. The Spring Offensive was Germany trying to end World War One. -
The WWI Ended
On 11th November the leaders of both sides held a meeting in Ferdinand Foch's railway carriage headquarters at Compiegne. The Armistice was signed at 6am and came into force five hours later. -
Peace conference accepts principle of a League of Nations.
Was the meeting of the enemies victors following the end of World War I to set the peace for Germany and other defeated nations, and to deal with the empires of the defeated powers following the Armistice of 1918. It took place in Paris in 1919 and involved diplomats from more than 29 countries.
