April 6, 2017 marks the 100th anniversary of what significant historical event?

Xalver, it was nineteen months, and there is a reason the US didn't get involved. At that time, Europe was still ruled by a bunch of noble houses--we left all that behind when we declared independence. We were loathe to jump into a hornets' nest of feuds, rivalries and betrayals. As for WWII, many Americans viewed it as yet more Old World problems.

Xalver, April 1917 to November 1918 is only 7 months? Try again.

I always forget they entered the war so late in the game, only 7 months before armistice. If they had joined years sooner much less blood would have been shed. Took their time for WW2 as well even though the British were fighting for survival. In both wars they didn't join until their own people or assets were threatened. Now they jump in at the drop of a hat.

Austrian King Franz Joseph did not want war and was said to have a shaking hand when he signed the war declaration. The German government pressed Austria into war, a decision Austria made a month after the Principal assassinated Franz Ferdinand. Germany was well prepared for war in armaments and infrastructure. England and France discovered Germany had already built rail lines to transport troops to their Western border to initiate their Schleiffen War Plan made years before.

The assassination of crown Prince Franz Ferdinand was hardly the cause of a world war. The climate of the times stressed nationalism, imperialism, and militarism, and war was knocking at the door for some time. Assassination was not uncommon. Among others, Dauphan of France, Louis XIV and his wife met the guillotine. Tsar Alexander was murdered by a handmade bomb thrown by revolutionaries. History grandson Tsar Nicholas, wife, daughters and young son were caught trying to escape Russia after he abdicated in 1917.

great history info!

Rouselwhish The Blasphemer, you must have gotten the answer wrong too! :)