WWII timeline

  • Archduke Francis Ferdinand heir to the Austria-Hungary throne and his wife are assassinated by Serbian Nationalist in Sarajevo

    Archduke Francis Ferdinand heir to the Austria-Hungary throne and his wife are assassinated by Serbian Nationalist in Sarajevo
  • Kaiser Wiliam 11 promises German support for Austria against Serbia

    Kaiser Wiliam 11 promises German support for Austria against Serbia
  • Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia and Russia.

    Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia and Russia.
  • Russia begins to mobilise her armed forces. Austria-Hungarian troops invade Serbia.

    Russia begins to mobilise her armed forces. Austria-Hungarian troops invade Serbia.
  • Official outbreak of World War I. Germany declares war on Russia.

    Official outbreak of World War I. Germany declares war on Russia.
  • Germany declares war on France.

  • Russia invades East Prussia.

    Russia invades East Prussia.
  • U.S President Wilson appeals for neutrality. The Canadian Parliament authorises the raising of an expeditionary force to send overseas and constructs Valcartier Camp to give basic training to new recruits.

    U.S President Wilson appeals for neutrality. The Canadian Parliament authorises the raising of an expeditionary force to send overseas and constructs Valcartier Camp to give basic training to new recruits.
  • 27,000 French soldiers are killed on this single day in an offensive thrust to the east of Paris, towards the German borders.

    27,000 French soldiers are killed on this single day in an offensive thrust to the east of Paris, towards the German borders.
  • Battle of the Marne begins.

    Battle of the Marne begins.
  • First Battle of Ypres begins. The Canadian Expeditionary Force of 32,000 men lands at Plymouth, England, to prepare for fighting at the Front.

  • First German air raid on Britain.

  • An unofficial Christmas truce is declared by soldiers along the Western Front.