The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife in Sarajevo on June 28, 1914 sparked a series of events that led to the start of World War I. When Gavrilo Princip shot and killed Ferdinand during a parade, it prompted Austria-Hungary to retaliate against Serbia. Over the next month, countries formed alliances that pulled them into the war, with Austria declaring war on Serbia on July 28th. Germany backed Austria and Russia supported Serbia, drawing more nations into the growing global conflict.

1. World War I Begins! Bryant McCarthy EDUC 6305 February 18, 2010

2. It all began at a parade… Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg were in back seat of an open car in a motorcade on their way to visit patients a military hospital. June 28, 1914, Sarajevo, Bosnia

5. Over the next 37 days treaties were formed as countries began form alliances with Austrian and Serbian militaries.

6. Germany provided Austria with limitless funds to defeat Serbia.

8. With this event major countries began declaring war on each other.

9. Germany declared war on Russia August 1, 1914