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1914: Day by Day Episodes

  1.

    8th August

    The French army declares a victory in their lost province of Alsace.

  2. 7th August

    British Trade Unions announce they will not oppose the war.

  3. 6th August

    German Zeppelins bomb the Belgian city of Liege, the first air attack on a European city.

  4. 5th August

    Advertisements in British newspapers urge the public to enlist in the army.

  5. 4th August

    Britain declares war on Germany.

  6. 3rd August

    The British foreign secretary speaks in favour of war at the House of Commons.

  7. 2nd August

    The British cabinet is split over whether to join the war.

  8. 1st August

    The German government receives word that Britain will remain neutral.

  9. 31st July

    Panic in the financial markets as the Bank of England is forced to close.

  10. 30th July

    The tsar orders a full mobilisation of the Russian army.

  11. 29th July

    The Kaiser sends a telegram to the Tsar to try to prevent war.

  12. 28th July

    Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia.

  13. 27th July

    Reactions to British soldiers shooting unarmed protesters in Dublin.

  14. 26th July

    The British foreign secretary proposes mediation to settle the Balkan crisis.

  15. 25th July

    Margaret Macmillan tells the story of the events leading up to the First World War.

  16. 24th July

    Britain and Russia react to Austria-Hungary's ultimatum.

  17. 23rd July

    Austria-Hungary delivers the ultimatum to Serbia.

  18. 22nd July

    The Russian royal family give a lavish welcome to the French President.

  19. 21st July

    The King warns of civil war in Britain over Irish Home Rule.

  20. 20th July

    The French President arrives on a state visit to Russia.

  21. 19th July

    The Royal Navy fleet gathers for a review by the King.

  22. 18th July

    Mohandas Gandhi leaves South Africa.

  23. 17th July

    Lloyd George warns of civil unrest among the trade unions and in Ireland.

  24. 16th July

    A meeting of Suffragettes is attacked by a mob.

  25. 15th July

    Jean Jaures calls for an international general strike in the event of war.

  26. 14th July

    The French parliament hears revelations that the military is short of arms.

  27. 13th July

    The investigation into the assassination of Franz Ferdinand reports back to Vienna.

  28. 12th July

    The Russian monk Rasputin is attacked.

  29. 11th July

    Crowds gather for the first London to Paris Air Race.

  30. 10th July

    Suffragettes' protests disrupt the King's visit to Scotland.

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