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Archduke Franz Ferdinand is assassinated
Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austrian throne, and his wife are killed on a trip to Sarajevo. Believing the assassin to be a Serbian the Austrians target their anger toward Serbia. this is the spark that ignites the war. -
Britain declares war
Great Britain declares war on Germany. The declaration is binding on all Dominions within the British Empire including Canada, Australia, New Zealand, India and South Africa. The United States declares its neutrality. -
Lusitania Sinks
A German U-Boat torpedoes the British passenger liner Lusitania, It sinks in 18 minutes, drowning 1,201 persons, including 128 Americans. President Woodrow Wilson subsequently sends four diplomatic protests to Germany. -
Woodrow Wilson is re-elected
American voters re-elect President Woodrow Wilson who had campaigned on the slogan, "He kept us out of war." -
zimmerman telegram is intercepted
The British intercept a telegram sent by Germany to Mexico City. Its message outlines plans for an alliance between Germany and Mexico against the United States. The Zimmermann telegram is passed along by the British to the Americans and is then made public. -
the us joins the war
The United States of America declares war on Germany. -
america joins the fray.
american troops make it to france -
the sedition act
The Sedition Act of 1918 was enacted on May 16, 1918 to extend the Espionage Act of 1917. The Sedition Act covered a broader range of offenses, notably speech and the expression of opinion that cast the government or the war effort in a negative light or interfered with the sale of government bonds. -
Armistice signing
Germany signs the Armistice which is effective at 11 am. There are 2,000 casualties experienced that day by all sides. -
Treaty of Versailles is signed
a German delegation signs the Treaty formally ending the war. the treaty has little in common with Wilson's Fourteen Points.