World War I, also known as the First World War, was a global war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918.
From the time of its occurrence until the approach of World War II, it was called simply the World War or the Great War, and thereafter the First World War or World War I. In America, it was initially called the European War. More than 9 million combatants were killed; a casualty rate exacerbated by the belligerents' technological and industrial sophistication, and tactical stalemate. It was one of the deadliest conflicts in history, paving the way for major political changes, including revolutions in many of the nations involved.
The war drew in all the world's economic great powers, which were assembled in two opposing alliances: the Allies and the Central Powers of Germany and Austria-Hungary. Although Italy had also been a member of the Triple Alliance alongside Germany and Austria-Hungary, it did not join the Central Powers, as Austria-Hungary had taken the offensive against the terms of the alliance. These alliances were both reorganised and expanded as more nations entered the war: Italy, Japan and the United States joined the Allies, and the Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria the Central Powers. Ultimately, more than 70 million military personnel, including 60 million Europeans, were mobilised in one of the largest wars in history.
World War 1 timeline
Apr 11 1900
U.S. Navy Acquires Its First Submarine
On April 11, 1900, the U.S. Navy acquired its first submarine, designed by Irish immigrant John P. Holland. Propelled by gasoline while on the... Read more
Apr 8 1904
Signing of the Entente Cordiale
The Entente Cordiale was the culmination of the policy of Théophile Delcassé, France’s foreign minister from 1898, who believed that a... Read more
Aug 31 1907
Signing of the Anglo-Russian Entente
The Anglo-Russian Entente or the Anglo-Russian Convention of 1907 was an accord signed on 31 August 1907 in St. Petersburg by Count Alexander... Read more
1914 to 1918
Adolf Hitler serves in World War I
Hitler, by all accounts, was an unusual soldier with a sloppy manner and unmilitary bearing. But he was also eager for action and always ready to... Read more
Jun 28 1914
Assassination of the Archduke Ferdinand
The Archduke Francis Ferdinand, heir to the throne of Austria, with his wife, the Duchess of Hohenberg, was paying a visit of state to Bosnia, then... Read more
Jul 24 1914
Telegrams and Letters Circulated on Friday July 24 1914
Serbia. M. Strandtman, Russian Chargé d'Affaires at Belgrade, telegraphed to M. Sazonof, Minister for Foreign Affairs at Petrograd, that Pashitch,... Read more
Jul 25 1914
Telegrams and Letters Circulated on Saturday July 25 1914
Austria-Hungary. Count Berchtold, Austro-Hungarian Minister for Foreign Affairs, telegraphed from Lembach to his Under-Secretary, Baron von... Read more
Jul 25 1914
Serbia's Reply to the Austro-Hungarian Note
A few minutes before 6 p. m., July 25, 1914, the Serbian Government made its reply to the Austrian note. This declared that no attempts had been... Read more
Jul 28 1914
Germany's 10 Million Dollar Gold Ship Escapes
The fast German merchant ship, the Kronprinzessin Cecilie, left New York harbor on July 28, 1914, carrying a cargo of $10,000,000 in gold, and was... Read more
Jul 28 1914
Austria-Hungary Declares War on Serbia
When the full text of the Austria's ultimatum to Serbia was published, public opinion was incensed at the severity of the demand. A feverish week... Read more
Aug 1 1914
Germany Declares War on Russia
Presented by the German Ambassador to St. Petersburg The Imperial German Government have used every effort since the beginning of the crisis to... Read more
Aug 2 1914
Germany Invades and Occupies Luxembourg
The first overt act of war on the Western front occurred at 1:30 o'clock on the morning of Sunday, August 2, 1914, when a detail of German officers... Read more
Aug 3 1914
Germany Invades Belgium
King Albert of Belgium exerted himself to repel the invaders. By his orders nearly all the bridges, roads and tunnels in the Ardennes district,... Read more
Aug 3 1914
Germany Declares War on France
On the afternoon of this day in 1914, two days after declaring war on Russia, Germany declares war on France, moving ahead with a long-held... Read more
Aug 4 1914
Great, Britain, France and Russia Declare War on Germany, and Germany Declares War on Belgium
Germany, on August 3, while refusing to promise not to trample down Belgium, would agree not to attack France by sea if Britain should remain... Read more
Aug 4 1914
Battle of Liege
THE FALL OF LIEGE Liege was a kind of natural key-hole into Belgium and France. It was a point at which many great railroad lines converged,... Read more
Aug 4 1914
Liberia Declares War on Germany
At the outbreak of World War I, President Howard attempted to maintain the country's neutrality, though he tended to support the Allies, whose... Read more
Aug 5 1914
Montenegro Declares War on Austria-Hungary
Montenegrin Army, 40,000 General Yukovitch King Nicholas Austrian Army, 60,000 General Ermolli General Koevess MONTENEGRO, the poorest... Read more
Aug 6 1914
Serbia Declares War on Germany
Setting the stage On July 23, Austria-Hungary demanded Serbia comply with its March 1909 declaration to the Great Powers to maintain good... Read more
Aug 6 1914
Austria-Hungary Declares War on Russia
Opening hostilities Confusion among the Central Powers The strategy of the Central Powers suffered from miscommunication. Germany had... Read more
Aug 7 1914 to Dec 20 1914
Germany Loses Vast Empire in Africa to the British
Allied Forces, 50,000 Loyal Boer Leaders General Louis Botha General J. C. Smuts General Lukin Colonel Brits Major Bouwer British... Read more
Aug 7 1914 to Aug 10 1914
The Battle of Mulhouse
The Battle of Mulhouse (or Mülhausen), which began on August 9, 1914, was the opening attack of World War I by the French army against Germany. The... Read more
Aug 8 1914
Montenegro Declares War on Germany
Under Nicholas I, the Principality of Montenegro vastly advanced and enlarged several times in the Montenegro-Turkish Wars and achieved recognition... Read more
Aug 8 1914 to Sep 20 1914
German Atrocities in Belgium Horrify Humanity
In Vendre, all the inhabitants without exception were brought out and shot. This shooting was heartbreaking, as they all knelt down and prayed. Read more
Aug 9 1914 to Sep 28 1914
Russia Grapples with Germany and Austria on 1000-Mile Front - The Longest Battle Line in History
Russian Forces, 500,000 Grand Duke Nicholas, Generalissimo Army of the Niemen, Gen. SamsonoíT Army of the Narew, Gen. Rennenkampf Cavalry...
