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 10 Active Volcanoes Could Violently Explode Any Day
Most volcanoes are extinct, many are dormant, but a select few are active, waiting to erupt. Here are the 10 most dangerous, magnificent volcanoes in the world.
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.
History Really Starts to Come Alive When You Add Color
If you love history then you'd better hold onto your hat. Discover a collection of 20 colorized historical photos alongside the original monochrome photos for reference
30 of the Most Interesting Places the World Has to Offer!
The world is full of wonder, and all across the globe there are many amazing places just waiting for you...
Pivotal Historical Scenes Frozen in the Frame of a Moment
A collection of rare historical moments you probably won't find in textbooks.
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.
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
These Incredible Photos Will Take Your Breath Away!
Enjoy some of the most spectacular photos from the Smithsonian Magazine's 15th annual contest.
These Pictures Will Put the Awe of the Universe in You
The winners of the Astronomy Photography competition capture the majestic beauty of our skies and what lies beyond them.
15 Photos of Superstars Side by Side Their Younger Selves
Have you ever dreamed to see your favorite celebrity next to their younger selves? Then here is a collection of 15 very famous people now and then.
14 Unique and Unconventional Urban Designs That Inspire
Let’s check out some truly amazing examples of smart urban planning designs that every city in the world should take inspiration from.
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.
These 17 Unique Bird Photos Reflect Each Bird’s Character
This photographer is extremely skilled at capturing the unique character of each bird, take a look at these 17 vivid and majestic photos by her
The Full Glory of a Golden Rome...
Look at these unbelievably colorful postcards from Rome, resurrected by Retronaut.
These Images Are Among the Most Powerful Ever Seen
Images can provoke great thought and institute great changes through their power, and these 10 are no exception. Take a look at these powerful images.
13 Mesmerizing Sunset Silhouettes You Won't Forget
Photographer Aaditya Shrirang Bhat creates unique photo stories during the sunset.
Step Inside Some of the World's Most Stunning Mosques
Mosques are a place of worship. They are places in which class, wealth, status and ethnicity disappear. Take a look at 10 of the world's most beautiful mosques.
Stunning Drone Photography of Temples Across Asia
Talented photographer Eleonora Costi traveled through 7 Asian countries and captured stunning shots of the most unique looking temples
This Street Photographer Left His Grandson a Real Treasure
Dylan Scalet finally had time to digitalize the photographs he inherited from his grandfather during lockdown. What he found was incredible.
Australian Wildlife is Extreme. Birds Are No Exception
No other country has astounding wildlife quite like Australia. You can be sure their birds aren't any different!
The Breathtaking Views of The Polish Tatra Mountains!
Wait until you see how gorgeous the mountains look during the spring season! Here are 16 extraordinary images of the Tatra Mountains.
These Portraits Combine People With Their Young Selves
In certain instances, it's uncanny how much people remain looking like their younger selves well into adulthood. Take a look at this composite portraiture.
The Great Wall of China as You’ve Never Seen It Before
High definition drone capture of the Great Wall of China
You've Got to See These Rare Celebrity Pics from the Past!
Enjoy this amazing collection of vintage celebrity pictures!
14 Wonderful Moments Scientists Have Documented with a Lens
Behind each of these 14 images is a fascinating story that makes them even more powerful...
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.
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!
In Pictures - Black & White Photography Awards 2023!
Check out the astonishing winning images from the 2023 Black & White Photo Contest.
These Pictures Look Like They Were Taken In Another World
The pictures you're about to see appear as if they were taken on another planet. Enjoy these 23 amazing extraterrestrial-looking pictures.
Drop Everything and Take a Look at These Incredible Photos
You've simply got to check out these 20 powerful photographs that really do say a thousand words each!
These Vintage Celebrity Photos From the Past Are a Delight
Time for some nostalgia! Check out these rarely seen photos of old school celebrities.
Incredible! A Glimpse Into What Ancient Rome Looked Like
This video depicts a 3D rendering of what Rome looked like in 320AD.
20 of the Most Perfectly-Timed Pictures Ever Taken
These have to be the most perfectly-timed pictures ever. Some are hilarious, others painful, and others will just cause amazement at how they were captured.
There's Nothing Quite Like These Perfectly-Timed Photos!
Take a look at these 20 incredible perfectly-timed photos, some of which are outrageously hilarious. Enjoy!
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...
This Common Waterhole Attracts a Huge Variety of Wildlife
When this photographer set up a camera trap near a watering hole in Kenya, he had no idea he'd be able to capture all these rare animals!
When Celebrities Met Their Younger Selves (20 Pics)
Enjoy this fun collection of pictures where famous celebs hang out with their younger selves.
These Amazing Artworks Defy All Logic and It’s Beautiful
Zulkarnain Ismail is a Malaysian digital artist whose artworks are on the verge of realistic photography and fantasy, check out 15 of his best works.
These Photos Tell Us Some Amazing Stories About the World
The world, as these pictures prove, is full of amazing sights and stories.
25 Photo Restorations of US Presidents Who Lived Long Ago
This talented artist created a series of incredible photo restorations of the portraits of US presidents who lived and served before colored photography
19 Pictures That Prove Your Eyes and Brain Are Lying to You
Each of these 19 pictures will cause you to linger in front of it for a few seconds trying to figure out what it is that’s really going on in them!
These Time-lapse Videos Are Bound to Leave You Speechless!
From the construction of the massive Shanghai Tower to the metamorphosis of a caterpillar into a pupa, these videos are unlike anything you've ever seen before!
We Love These Woodworking Masterpieces! Don’t You?
This is craftsmanship at its finest.
2022 Dog Photo Awards - Only the Best Images Selected
This wonderful photo contest is all about man’s best friend!
These Japanese Truck Gardens Are Absolutely Stunning!
Every year, landscapers from across Japan create amazing and whimsical gardens in their trucks to see who can claim to be the best mobile landscaper.
These 1900s Colored Photos are the First Ever Taken
Normally, we'd expect old photos to be black and white. Here are some stunning century-old color photographs using a groundbreaking technique.
These Special Wildlife Photos All Have a Special Secret...
A unique take on double exposure, these artistic shots of animals superimposed over Norwegian forests are just stunning.