This week, 100 years ago, the Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria was assassinated by a Yugoslavian nationalist in Sarajevo. You may not know much about this event or this man, but his death was the trigger for the events that would later be known as World War I. It was on June 28th 1914 that the Great War started, as it was known before World War II. More than 9 million combatants were killed, a casualty rate exacerbated by the recent technological and industrial sophistication of war.
Nearly all countries in Europe, and many others across the world, were involved in this brutal war. When it was over, in November 1918, four major imperial powers, the German, Russian, Austro-Hungarian and Ottoman empires, ceased to exist. The following pictures from 100 years ago show us how this war was fought, how brave men lived on the front lines and powerful moments that echo to this day.
|
|
Life in the trenches were hard and full of tension. Here, a soldier sleeps on the front lines with his gun by his side, Thievpal, France. |
|
The 1st battalion of the 4th Ghurkha Rifles, an infantry regiment of the British Indian Army with soldiers of Indian and Nepalese nationalities lined up for kit inspection. |
|
The war left its mark on the land, mine craters at St. Eloi, near Ypres, Belgium. |
|
A group of soldiers at a signal station for the Dehra Dun Brigade (British Indian Army) in 1915. The two men in the center of the picture are on field telephones, taking messages and coordinating the war effort. |
|
A small group of soldiers coming out of a trench, bayonets fixed and ready to attack. |
|
A British soldier pays his respects at the grave of a colleague near Cape Helles, Turkey. This was where the amphibious invasion of the Gallipoli peninsula by British and French forces took place on April 25th 1915. |
|
The Royal Army Medical Corps, which had both civilians and soldiers conscripts, distribute refreshments to wounded soldiers in France - 1916. |
|
French troops throw rocks at advancing Germans from their hillside trench in the Vosges, France - 1916. When they ran out of ammo they fought with anything they could find. |
|
British soldiers navigating through a shell-cratered, winter landscape along the River Somme, France – 1916. |
|
Soldiers attending a church service in a field, the priest can be seen in the middle of the picture towards the back, next to the sign. |
|
The First World War was the first time in human history that manufactured poison gas was used as a weapon on a large scale. The results where devastating. |
|
Brigadier-General J.V. Campbell (seen standing on the bridge to the left) congratulates soldiers of the 46t Division after their successful crossing of the St. Quentin Canal in France. It was the first full breach of the German Hindenburg Defense Line and a decisive Allied victory. |
|
Massed German prisoners of war at a clearing station after the successful Allied offensive near Amiens in Northern France. Described as ‘The Black Day of the German Army’, this scene shows just a glimpse of the amazing amount of man power involved in this war. |
|
These Photos Show How Our World Is Just Full of Surprises!
We are blessed to inhabit this Earth - think of all the beautiful things that you've seen! Here are 21 photos to prove that the world is full of surprises.
Let These Images Take You to the Magical Days of Childhood
With kids nowadays spending their whole time with their heads stuck in computer or phone screens, it's refreshing to see real kids playing real games.
Pivotal Historical Scenes Frozen in the Frame of a Moment
A collection of rare historical moments you probably won't find in textbooks.
The Secret Spy Devices of the Cold War!
It's incredible to think of the kind of complex spy games you'd need these devices for...
Historic Photos From Days of Christmas' Past...
Christmas is said to be a time of love, cheer, and human compassion. These photos may be decades-old, but the stories they tell are not much different than the stories of today.
The 25 Coolest Movie Posters Ever Made
Movie posters from the 1900s had a different charm. Let’s check out the best ones from that era.
These Photos Are Just Gorgeous, and Won Prizes...
Did you know you can take amazing photographs with your little iPhone? Just look at these insanely beautiful winners of this years iPhone photography contest!
A Slice of History – 20 Powerful Images of Yesteryear
This collection of rare historical photos will give you a fascinating glimpse of our past.
10 Show-Stopping Photos of the Sunbirds of South Africa
Admire the magnificent, regal beauty of South African sunbirds in 10 stunning photos in this article
"Andean Architecture" - The Style That’s Sweeping Bolivia
In El Alto, Bolivia- the fastest growing city in the world in recent years - there's a real architectural revolution happening that you have to see to believe!
These Extreme Engineering Projects Will Leave You in Awe
The world is already full of amazing structures that leave us in awe, but as the following recent projects show, we always want something bigger and better!
Photo Truth: Behind the Scenes of Great Photographs...
Baba-Mail brings you the photographic truth that the photographers never wanted you to see!
The Great Wall of China as You’ve Never Seen It Before
High definition drone capture of the Great Wall of China
19 Images of Deceptive Moments You’ll Never See in Reality
Photographers have a lot of tricks up their sleeve, and these 19 images will be a little daunting to your senses.
Don't Let Them Fool You: The Truth Behind Photography!
These photos prove that photography is not always what it seems...
Is Modern Architecture Uglier Than Historical Buildings?
Why do buildings made of concrete, steel and glass intimidate us and often make us feel so out of place? This funny video explains why
These Designers Did SUCH a Great Job! 19 Handy Innovations
These creative design innovations should be more popular than they are, as they are so very clever and useful!
A Tiny Bit of Kindness Can Go an Awful Long Way in Life!
A small act of kindness, as these photos prove, can go an awful long way.
14 Vivid Portraits of Gorgeous Rare Birds
This photographer traveled the globe in the search of the rarest and most gorgeous birds, and here are 14 of his best avian portraits...
7 Changes to Our Home That Help Fight Depression
The 7 tips provided here will guide you or your loved ones through the changes that will render your house more inviting and assist in managing depression.
18 Things About the Eiffel Tower You Never Knew
The Eiffel Tower is perhaps the best known and loved building in the world. Not surprisingly, there are a lot of wild stories about it. Here are some...
These Photos Will Make You Rub Your Eyes in Puzzlement
These photos are all very puzzling at first look, maybe even at the second as well...
14 Stunning Examples of Brutalist Architecture
These pictures perfectly capture the essence of brutalist architecture. Let’s check them out.
What An Unbelievable Work of Art by This Talented Builder
This video shows you, with the help of a time lapse, all the efforts that went into rebuilding a miniature but exact model of the infamous ship, The Titanic.
15 Photos of 19th-Century Celebs Alongside Their Portraits
These vintage photos offer a unique look at what 19th-century celebrities looked like when compared to their painted portraits.
This Unique Dune House is Like a Hobbit Home, But Better
This astonishing and unique Florida home built into a sand dune facing the beach is sure to impress you!
Click These Old Photos to See Them in Full Color!
It's fascinating to think that now, we can actually see the past better than we could 30 years ago! Here you'll find 16 classic photos, click on each one to see it in full color.
Magnificent Photos of the World's Last Native Tribes
Jimmy Nelson spends his life traveling the world and reminding us of where we came from, namely indigenous tribes. Take a look at his stunning work.
13 EPIC Halloween Home Makeovers
Look at these houses all decorated for Halloween! They look brilliant, or should I say "spooktacular"?
These Photos Will Make You Look Twice!!
Photography is a medium that allows magic to happen, with spontaneity often producing far more interesting results. View these photos timed to perfection.
20 Previously Unseen 20th-Century Celebrity Portraits
Enjoy this beautiful collection of unseen 20th-century celebrity portraits by the famous American photographer Philippe Halsman.
The Art of Timing Photos is Mesmerizing! #9's My Favorite
A moment or two later and these photos would be ordinary photos instead of works of arts.
12 Vintage Tools That Have Stood The Test of Time
Here is a collection of some really old vintage household items that are amazingly still working properly.
This Dark Underground Chamber Contains Millions of Shells
This winding underground passageway contains millions of beautifully arranged shells. But why?
These Stunning Bridges Are Definitely Worth a Visit
There is no doubt that bridges add a special flair to their locations. Here are 10 of the world's most beautiful bridges!
Admire Some of History’s Finest Photos Reimagined in Color
We’re incredibly fortunate to be able to see history through vintage photographs, but wouldn’t it be fun to see all these photos in color?
21 Historical Pics That Open a Visceral Window to the Past
Old photographs have a special value to them - they allow us to take a glimpse into the past and experience what life was like long before we came into being.
These Photos Have Amazed the World...
From the epic majesty of our galaxy to the pure, simple beauty of a tortoise interacting with a butterfly, these photos are wonderful.
Ancient Wonders of Archaeology & Architecture – 16 Pics
These fascinating things from the past continue to inspire wonder and awe.
2022 Wrap-Up: Trends in Interior Design and Architecture
We're wrapping up 2022's hottest trends in architecture, construction, and interior design. Jump in for inspiration!
Showstopping Aerial Photos From 22 Famous Places Worldwide
Agora Images is back with another astonishing competition, and this time, we'll be soaring in the sky above 22 iconic locations around the world
Collection: The World's Most Unique Buildings
This collection includes advanced buildings of the future, stunning old structures, and some of the tallest buildings in the world
These Photos Show What People Had to Bear in the Wild West
These photos illustrate what life in the Wild West was like.
A 100 Year Old Window to Another New York City
These beautiful and educational late 19th and early 20th century photos of New York City were released recently by the NYC municipal archives...
An Artist Colored 14 Iconic Film Scenes and We’re Stunned!
Incredibly talented Austrian artist colorized 14 famous vintage film scenes and portraits of famous actors and they look unbelievably real!
Humor and Art Collide in These Wacky Street Art Pics
Frank de Ruwe is a street artist who uses his witty and brilliant art to bring fresh life to dull and bland streets.