On June 28, 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria was assassinated in Sarajevo. This event triggered a series of diplomatic crises, ultimately leading to the outbreak of World War I. Many countries were bound by alliances, resulting in a domino effect as each country declared war in defense of their allies.

This assassination highlighted rising tensions in Europe, where nationalism, militarism, and alliances had created a fragile balance of power. The assassination intensified these issues, making World War I inevitable. The war ultimately reshaped Europe’s borders and set the stage for future conflicts.