Description
This is a special edition that was published free-of-charge, announcing the assassination of Erzherzog Franz Ferdinand and his wife, Grand Duchess Sophie, in Sarajevo on 28 June 1914. Archduke Franz Ferdinand was the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne. In all practicality, he was that country’s Crown Prince. [Franz Ferdinand was Emperor Franz-Josef’s nephew rather than his son. Franz-Josef’s son, Kronprinz Rudolf, had committed suicide in 1889. Franz Ferdinand became the heir to the Austrian throne upon the passing of his father Archduke Karl Ludwig, in 1896]. The deaths of Franz Ferdinand and Sophie served as the spark that began WW I.
Following that assassination, Austria-Hungary issued an ultimatum to the Kingdom of Serbia. When its demands were not met, Austria-Hungry declared war on Serbia. Because of assorted existing European alliances, Russia, Great Britain, and France reciprocated by declaring war on Austria-Hungry. Germany then came to her ally Austria-Hungary’s aide by declaring war on the opposition. War officially began on 28 July 1914. Subsequently, Italy, a previous ally of Austria-Hungry, defected to joined the Russians, French, and English, as did Japan. Ultimately, the USA also declared war on Germany in 1917. Turkey and Bulgaria sided with the Germans and Austrians.
This one-page special-edition also has a lengthy message from Kaiser Franz-Josef. It would look very impressive if framed–perhaps accompanied by another Great War artifact.
