Germany invades Belgium, Britain declares war
August 4, 1914
Implementing a plan drawn up in 1905, German armies smashed through neutral Belgium aiming to swing around Paris. Britain, which had guaranteed Belgian neutrality since 1839, went to war before teatime. Edward Grey watched the lamps of Whitehall come on and said they would not be lit again in his lifetime.
In context
Also in 1914 (5 other events on record)
- Franz Ferdinand shot in Sarajevo · Europe · War
- Marne halts German advance · Europe · War
- Panama Canal opens · North America · Technology
- Japan enters WWI and seizes German Pacific colonies · East Asia · War
- US occupies Veracruz · North America · War
Before and after in Europe
Before and after in War
Era
Modern Era (1901–2000), one of 590 events from that era on Saeculum.