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First Post
9 hours ago
- Politics
- First Post
History Today: How the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand at Sarajevo sparked World War I
On June 28, 1914, the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo triggered a chain reaction that lead to World War I. This pivotal moment shattered European stability and ushered in a global conflict that reshaped the 20th Century read more The first page of the edition of the Domenica del Corriere, an Italian paper, with a drawing by Achille Beltrame depicting Gavrilo Princip killing Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria in Sarajevo. As part of Firstpost's History Today series, June 28 stands out as a day that dramatically shaped global history across centuries. On this date in 1914, the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo ignited a chain of events that led to World War I. Five years later, on June 28, 1919, the Treaty of Versailles was signed, formally ending the conflict. Decades later, the day also saw the eruption of the Stonewall Riots in 1969 — catalysing the modern LGBTQ rights movement. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD And in 1997, the infamous moment when Mike Tyson bit Evander Holyfield's ear during a boxing match. The assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand On June 28, 1914, a seemingly small, yet pivotal act of violence in Sarajevo sparked a chain reaction across Europe, ultimately igniting the conflagration known as World War I. Archduke Franz Ferdinand, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, and his wife, Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg, were assassinated in an event that has since been studied as the flashpoint of modern history. Archduke Franz Ferdinand, born in 1863, served as Inspector General of the Austro-Hungarian armed forces. While conservative and militaristic by temperament, he was an advocate for systemic reforms aimed at modernising the empire and granting greater autonomy to Slavic minorities. He and Sophie's marriage had endured the scrutiny of imperial aristocracy. Sophie, not from a reigning noble family, was often marginalised at court despite the couple's devotion . The date chosen for their visit — June 28, 1914, coinciding with St Vitus's Day (Vidovdan) — was loaded with symbolism. It commemorated the 1389 Serbian defeat in Kosovo, connecting present-day Serb nationalist sentiment with historical grievance. The visit was intended to bolster imperial authority in Bosnia, formally annexed in 1908, on the anniversary of Bosnia's 1878 occupation — another symbolic affront to Serbian nationalists. At the time, Sarajevo was simmering with discontent. Bosnian Serbs and Yugoslav nationalists sought liberation from Austro-Hungarian rule and unification with Serbia. Influential nationalist and paramilitary groups like the Black Hand (Ujedinjenje ili Smrt) fostered militant sentiment and trained operatives for political violence. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Gavrilo Princip, a 19-year-old Bosnian Serb, joined Young Bosnia, a youth movement advocating Slavic unity. Princip and his five co-conspirators, equipped with bombs and pistols, trained and prepared for the assassination in discrete training camps, some allegedly sponsored by Serbian military factions. The royal procession began with high optimism. At approximately 10:15 am, Nedeljko Čabrinović seized the first opportunity, hurling a grenade at the Archduke's vehicle. Misjudging the motorcade's speed and configuration, the grenade bounced off the fold-down hood, exploding under the next car — injuring bystanders and driver but missing Franz Ferdinand. Despite the attack, Franz Ferdinand continued to the Town Hall for an impromptu reception, demonstrating both his bravery and obliviousness to the day's threats. Afterward, a fatal navigation error — possibly due to miscommunication in translation — led the motorcade to make a sudden right turn, pausing directly in front of Gavrilo Princip. Seizing the moment, Princip fired two shots at point-blank range: one fatally striking Franz Ferdinand in the jugular, the other hitting Sophie in the abdomen. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The couple collapsed instantly. The world had changed irreversibly. Princip was detained immediately, still near the scene. He later confessed freely at his trial, citing patriotism and intention to liberate South Slavs from oppression. Younger than 20, he avoided the death penalty and received 20 years — ultimately dying of tuberculosis in prison in 1918. The Austro-Hungarian response was swift and severe. General Oskar Potiorek, local governor, authorised anti-Serb pogroms in Sarajevo, resulting in widespread destruction of property, detentions and fatalities. Austria-Hungary, backed by Germany, issued a rigid ultimatum to Serbia on July 23, 1914, loaded with demands designed to be impossible to fulfill . Although Serbia conceded on most points, it refused to accept all terms — especially foreign judicial oversight — and Russia began partial mobilisation to protect its Slavic ally. Germany, interpreting this as hostility toward Austria-Hungary, declared war on Russia on August 1, 1914. France and Britain, bound by alliances and strategic considerations, followed suit. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD By August 4, Europe was at war — not over Sarajevo but over a tangled web of alliances, militarism, imperial ambition and nationalism. World War I became the first truly industrialised global war. It introduced trench warfare, machine guns, chemical agents, tanks, naval blockades, aerial combat and battlefield medicine — all emerging during the war. Over 16 million perished — nearly 10 million military and close to 7 million civilians — along with the downfall of empires: Austro-Hungarian, Ottoman, Russian and German . Culturally, the war produced a devastating rupture — seen in literature and art such as All Quiet on the Western Front and Dadaist movements. It fuelled revolutions, including in Russia, and laid ideological groundwork for fascism, communism and Nazism. Historiography continues to debate Princip's legacy. In Serbia, he is often hailed as a hero of national liberation; in Bosnia and Croatia, views remain critical, seeing him as extremist. A 2015 monument in Belgrade sparked controversy, highlighting divergent regional narratives. Historians also question fatal flaws in Austria-Hungary's diplomacy and the rigidity of alliances — like clockwork mobilisations turning minor crises into world war . STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Today, Sarajevo memorialises the assassination site with plaques and museums. A Sarajevo museum stands in the building where Franz Ferdinand was mortally wounded, and a statue of Princip in Istočno Sarajevo incites contested memory. Mike Tyson bites off part of Evander Holyfield's ear On June 28, 1997, aka The Bite Fight, Mike Tyson and Evander Holyfield squared off in Las Vegas during their WBA Heavyweight rematch. In the third round, a frustrated Tyson sank his teeth into Holyfield's right ear, tearing off a piece before biting again. Referee Mills Lane halted the match, disqualifying Tyson. The incident was a career-defining scandal — Tyson had his license revoked and paid a $3 million fine. Holyfield's ear was surgically reattached. Tyson later justified his actions, claiming frustration over Holyfield's alleged headbutts. The bizarre moment remains one of boxing's most infamous highlights. Stonewall Riots begin In the early hours of June 28, 1969, NYPD raided the Stonewall Inn, a gay bar in Greenwich Village, New York. Patrons — tired of continual harassment — fought back, triggering violent clashes that lasted nearly a week. Though not the first LGBTQ protest, Stonewall is heralded as the flashpoint for the modern gay rights movement. The spontaneous resistance inspired pride marches, advocacy groups and landmark legal battles. Its legacy endures: June is recognised as Pride Month, and the event is commemorated through global rallies and educational efforts . STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Treaty of Versailles signed On June 28, 1919, exactly five years after Franz Ferdinand's assassination, Allied and Associated powers signed the Treaty of Versailles in the Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles. The treaty imposed several punitive measures on Germany: the notorious War Guilt Clause (Article 231), substantial reparations, restrictions on military capabilities and loss of territory and overseas colonies Though hailed by Allied leaders as necessary to secure peace, it sowed deep resentment in Germany and contributed to the rise of Adolf Hitler and WWII. Despite its intentions to prevent future wars, the treaty is widely regarded as overly punitive. While the US Senate declined to ratify it, others adhered. The treaty took effect on January 10, 1920, shaping the interwar world. With inputs from agencies
Geek Dad
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Dad
Review – Absolute Green Lantern #3: Hunger in the Dark
Absolute Green Lantern #3 cover, via DC Comics. Ray: Al Ewing has turned Green Lantern into a full-fledged horror story, and like every horror story, it has some classic inspirations. Fans of Stephen King will obviously see the influence from Under the Dome here, as the mysterious alien judge Alan Scott has created a green energy field over part of the city – trapping Jo Mullein, Hal Jordan, John Stewart – and John's friend Todd Rice, who enters the story this issue. While the story jumps back and forth in time, we see more this issue of the earlier segment, as the crew tries to figure out the strange new world they find themselves trapped in. It's John who takes the lead here, with his strategic mind discovering that the field reacts a certain way to metal – or anything it perceives as metal – and starts trying to break it down. But this attracts Abin Sur's attention, and the inscrutable alien proceeds to cast his judgement over John. Lockdown. Via DC Comics. We know from the earlier issues that the power will wind up vested with two of these characters – Jo with the Green Lantern ring, and Hal with the Black Hand. What we didn't know until now is that those powers are diametrically opposed, with the Black Hand trying to consume the green automatically – and anyone it's attached to. This is the first take on Green Lantern that portrays these powers not as superpowers, but as something terrifying and bizarre, that would be beyond the average person's ability to comprehend. Al Ewing has worked a lot with cosmic powers before, and his books are often deeply haunting, but part of the credit here goes to the great Jahnoy Lindsay. Their art is deeply unsettling in places, creating a sense of just how powerful these elements are. This is the most mysterious of the Absolute line so far, and it has me incredibly intrigued by what comes next. To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week. GeekDad received this comic for review purposes. Liked it? Take a second to support GeekDad and GeekMom on Patreon!
Geek Dad
07-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Geek Dad
Review – Absolute Green Lantern #2: Black and Green
Absolute Green Lantern #2 cover, via DC Comics. Ray: It's no surprise that a big sci-fi guy like Al Ewing would absolutely knock it out of the park on this title, but I feel like coming in, this was the Absolute book we knew the least about. The first issue didn't give away all its secrets either, with a non-linear plot that showed us the story from the perspective of Jo Mullein and Hal Jordan as a mysterious alien being named Abin Sur came to town. But this Abin Sur wasn't a kindly space policeman – he was a mysterious alien spectre who dropped a massive lantern-shaped ship on the city and proceeded to unleash unpredictable powers. In the aftermath, Jo became Earth's first Green Lantern – and Hal was infected by the dark forces of the Black Hand. As Jo tries to reason with her friend, whose new powers killed a large number of policemen when they confronted him, it's clear Hal inherited a lot more than some spooky shadow powers from the alien entity. Rude awakening. Via DC Comics. The timeline becomes a little clearer this month, as we see the immediate aftermath of Abin Sur's arrival. With a sector of the city essentially fenced off due to the mysterious dome, it falls to Sheriff Guy Gardner – Jo's estranged friend – to try to keep the peace. He's the first to make contact with the alien, and his better instincts shine through and lead him to try to open a line of communication. Not that it helps him, as the alien begins dealing out inscrutable 'judgements', seeking evidence of the emotional spectrum in people and quickly dispensing with them if he can't. This is a terrifying issue, because similar to the great Absolute Martian Manhunter, it's an amazing depiction of a truly alien intelligence and how it would interact with an 'inferior' species. Between this visit from beyond and Hal's increasingly unstable behavior, the tension in this title is through the roof. Another phenomenal entry from the Absolute Universe so far. To find reviews of all the DC issues, visit DC This Week. GeekDad received this comic for review purposes. Liked it? Take a second to support GeekDad and GeekMom on Patreon!
AllAfrica
12-04-2025
- Politics
- AllAfrica
Estonia cribbing Ukraine's script for provoking Russia
On June 28, 1914, Gavrilo Princeps, a Bosnian-Serb radical, shot and killed Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife Sophie, Duchess of Hohenberg. Princeps did not act alone. He was one of at least six principals in an organization called Young Bosnia, and his group and others were seeking independence from the Austro-Hungarian empire. He also received help from a secret organization, the Black Hand, that provided training and weapons, including bombs and pistols. The assassination of the Austrian Archduke, the immediate successor to emperor Franz Joseph I, was a provocation that a month later caused the so-called July crisis that culminated in a July 23 ultimatum to Serbia. By then, Germany had pledged support for Austria, and Russia and France would mobilize in support of Serbian nationalism. World War I could have been avoided, but it was not. The perpetrators of the crime in Bosnia were tried, some jailed (because they were too young for execution, including Princeps) and others executed. The Austrians vastly overestimated their military capabilities. For them, at the end of the war, the Austro-Hungarian empire would cease to exist. Franc Ferdinand and Sophie in the car where they would be murdered. The archduke and his wife are seated in the back of the vehicle. Image: IWM Are we in a similar situation today? There have been countless provocations by Ukraine and some of its supporters, including Joe Biden, who authorized long-range ATACMS strikes deep inside Russia, some aimed at Russia's early warning radars and nuclear bomber bases. Not to be outdone, the Ukrainians on May 3, 2023, launched drone attacks on the Kremlin, targeting Russian President Vladimir Putin's office. Such attacks are inconceivable without technical help from NATO, especially as long-range drones need satellites for communications and targeting. The White House has denied allegations it was involved recently in attacks. At the same time, Ukraine and its supporters have promoted and carried out a cultural war against Russia. One of the top provocateurs is Estonia. Estonia is the most northern of the Baltic states. It fronts on the Baltic Sea where its capital city, Tallinn, is located. Estonia's town of Narva is just next to the border with Russia. About half of Narva's population is Russian. Estonia has a population of 1.37 million, based on data from 2023. Between 20-25% of Estonia's population are Russians, depending on how the count is made. For a number of years, Estonia has been waging a cultural war against Russia while at the same time utterly depending on NATO for its security. The Estonian army has only 7,700 active duty personnel, of which 3,500 are conscripts. It has a reserve force that is significantly larger, but it does not have the equipment to support its reserves, so it is largely a paper force. Estonia has no air force to speak of, only two Czech-made (Aero Vodochody) L-39 trainers and two small M-28 Polish transports. One of two Estonian L-39s. Image: Supplied by author One would think that Estonia would not want to create trouble for itself, but it seems that the reverse is true, largely deriving from the Estonian belief that NATO is there to back it up and that Russia would not attack a NATO state. Provocations are not something new for the Estonians, whose hate for Russians borders on the extreme. By practically denying citizenship to their Russian inhabitants to attacking the Russian Orthodox Church in Estonia through legislation, Estonia has made it clear it will do whatever it can to humiliate its own Russian population and Russia itself. Bronze soldier of Tallinn relocated after 2024 Victory Day Celebrations. Photo: Author supplied. In April 2007, the Estonians decided to move the monument there known as the Bronze Soldier of Tallinn. That monument also was the site of a number of graves of Soviet Russian soldiers who were killed fighting against the Nazis. The graves were dug up, their families in Russia notified they could collect the remains or they would be relocated in the Tallinn military cemetery along with the monument. Now, in 2025, we have another round of monument-busting, as the Estonians are tearing down Russian war memorials once again. This includes defiling Russian graves in the Tallinn military cemetery and damaging and destroying war memorials. Employees of the Estonian Military Museum have destroyed monuments in honor of Soviet sailors, soldiers and officers who liberated the republic from Nazi invaders at the Tallinn Military Cemetery. Photo: Author supplied. If there is one single unifying principle these days in Russia it is the great importance given to Russia's decisive role in the defeat of Nazi armies in World War II. Each year, on May 9, Russia holds its annual Victory Day celebration, which focuses on a show of military power. It is followed by a more somber but clearly important citizen's march known as the Immortal Regiment. In this march, families proudly carry posters and photos of family members who perished in the Great Patriotic War (Russia's terminology for World War II.) Estonia's show of contempt for Russia's World War II victory, along with its spotty, some would say, compromised behavior supporting the Nazis, is increasingly irksome to the Russians. One can add attempts to keep Russians living in Estonia from achieving citizenship or even voting in elections. Estonia has now stepped that up by adding new legislation to make it even more difficult for Russian residents to be treated equally. Estonia is also trying to block out any relationship between Russian Orthodox Churches in Estonia to the Moscow Patriarchate. It is not surprising that Estonia's actions parallel and were perhaps inspired by Ukraine, which is doing the same thing. The Immortal Regiment March in Moscow. Picture: Author supplied. The Estonian action against the Moscow-led church would create revulsion and horror elsewhere if, for example, European or American Catholics were not allowed to communicate with the Pope in Rome. Among the pro-war advocates in Europe, Estonia is at the forefront. Its former Prime Minister, Kaja Kallas, is now the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. She is now a major voice in promoting a massive European defense expansion and sending troops to Ukraine. Of the six nations who have apparently pledged to send troops to Ukraine, Estonia is leading the list even though it does not have anyone to send. The trouble with provocations is that they can cause wars. The hysteria now apparent in official channels in parts of Europe (for example, France, UK, Germany and Estonia) reflects huge anxiety that Ukraine will not survive the Russian onslaught. Instead of helping US President Donald Trump find a peaceful solution to the conflict, the French and British, in particular, have done their best to undermine his efforts. While some of this can be explained as a bailout for Europe's economic issues by substituting military production for civilian manufacturing, deficit spending of this kind will never be enough to salvage Europe's economic and industrial problems. Meanwhile, small countries such as Estonia can cause big problems and an escalation leading to conflict in Europe. Stephen Bryen is a special correspondent to Asia Times and former US deputy undersecretary of defense for policy. This article, which originally appeared on his Substack newsletter Weapons and Strategy, is republished with permission.
