First World War.com - Vintage Video - Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo, 1914

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Archduke Franz Ferdinand pictured in Sarajevo shortly before his assassination Vintage Video: Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo, 1914
Updated - Saturday, 22 November, 2003

On 28 June 1914 the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, was assassinated in Sarajevo, setting off the train of diplomatic events that led to the outbreak of war in late July 1914. (Click here to read a summary of the events that led to war.)

Ferdinand was shot by Serbian terrorist Gavrilo Princip immediately following a reception for the Archduke at Sarajevo's Town Hall.

Click here to view film footage of Archduke Franz Ferdinand's arrival at the Town Hall on 28 June 1914 (Windows Media, 8 seconds, 113KB).

Stormtroopers comprised specially trained German assault troops used in 1918.