Archduke Franz Ferdinand is Assassinated
Description
Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir apparent to the Austro-Hungarian empire, and his wife Sophie Chotek, are assassinated by Serb nationalist, 19 year-old Gavrilo Princip, an agent of the Serbia-based hypernationalist group the Black Hand. A secret military society, the Black Hand is led by Dragutin Dimitrijević (a.k.a. Apis), a captain in the Serbian army. The assassination is the spark that ingnites the Great War. Germany encourages Austria-Hungary to undertake harsh reprisal against Serbia. Russia commits to the defense of Serbia should Austria-Hungary invade. Germany warns Russia not to intervene once Austria-Hungary invades Serbia, or face war with Germany. France signals its commitment to its ally Russia should Germany attack.
Date
1914-06-28
Source
“Heir to Austria's Throne is Slain with His Wife by a Bosnian Youth to Avenge Seizure of His Country.” The New York Times: 29 Jun. 1914, vol. LXIII no. 20,610: 1. The New York Times Company. NYTimes Search. Web. 5 Jul. 2017.
“The New York Times.” The New York Times: 29 Jun. 1914, vol. LXIII no. 20,610: 1. The New York Times Company. NYTimes Search. Web. 5 Jul. 2017.