A pivotal event in modern history that led to the outbreak of World War I
Archduke Franz Ferdinand was the heir presumptive to the throne of Austria-Hungary. His visit to Sarajevo was seen as an opportunity to demonstrate the strength and unity of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
The assassination was carried out by Gavrilo Princip, a Bosnian Serb member of the Black Hand secret society. Princip and other conspirators were waiting along the archduke's motorcade route.
The assassination led to a chain reaction of diplomatic crises and military mobilizations that eventually resulted in the outbreak of World War I.
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Related pages: World War I, Archduke Franz Ferdinand