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Archduke Francis Ferdinand heir to the Austria-Hungary throne and his wife are assassinated by Serbian Nationalist in Sarajevo
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Kaiser Wiliam 11 promises German support for Austria against Serbia
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Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia and Russia.
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Russia begins to mobilise her armed forces. Austria-Hungarian troops invade Serbia.
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Official outbreak of World War I. Germany declares war on Russia.
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Germany declares war on France.
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Russia invades East Prussia.
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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.
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27,000 French soldiers are killed on this single day in an offensive thrust to the east of Paris, towards the German borders.
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Battle of the Marne begins.
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First Battle of Ypres begins. The Canadian Expeditionary Force of 32,000 men lands at Plymouth, England, to prepare for fighting at the Front.
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First German air raid on Britain.
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An unofficial Christmas truce is declared by soldiers along the Western Front.