Franz Ferdinand was an Archduke of Austria-Este, Austro-Hungarian and Royal Prince of Hungary and of Bohemia, and from 1889 until his death, heir presumptive to the Austro-Hungarian throne. His assassination in Sarajevo precipitated Austria-Hungary’s declaration of war against Serbia. This caused the Central Powers (including Germany and Austria-Hungary) and the Allies of World War I (countries allied with Serbia) to declare war on each other, starting World War I.
On this Day in History: June 28, 1914
June 28, 1914, Archduke Francis Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary and his wife are murdered in Sarajevo, touching off a conflict that escalates into World War I.
