World War I started on this day in 1914, with the outbreak of hostilities following the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary.
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What event triggered the start of World War I?
The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie by a Bosnian Serb nationalist in Sarajevo, Bosnia, on June 28, 1914, served as the trigger event that led to a chain reaction of diplomatic tensions and military actions, ultimately escalating into a global conflict.
Which countries were involved in the initial stages of World War I?
The major powers involved in the early stages of World War I were Austria-Hungary, Germany, and the Ottoman Empire (Central Powers) against Serbia, Russia, France, and the United Kingdom (Allied Powers).
How did World War I end?
World War I officially ended with the signing of the Armistice of Compiègne on November 11, 1918. This armistice led to the cessation of hostilities on the Western Front and eventually paved the way for the Treaty of Versailles, which formally concluded the war in 1919.