A Note From Bob
One date that opened a war, and closed it
June 28 is one of the most consequential dates on the calendar for the First World War, and it bookends the whole conflict. On June 28, 1914, Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary was assassinated in Sarajevo, the spark that set the alliances of Europe marching toward war within weeks. Five years later, on June 28, 1919, the Treaty of Versailles was signed in the Hall of Mirrors, formally ending the war with Germany and redrawing the map of Europe.
Between those two June 28ths stood the Central Powers, the alliance that fought against Britain, France, Russia, and eventually the United States. Today's featured quiz puts that alliance to the test. Let's see how well you know the other side of the Great War.
Trivia Question of the Day
The Central Powers were anchored by two great empires at the war's outset: Germany and Austria-Hungary. Which two other nations joined them as full members of the Central Powers during World War I?
The answer is at the bottom of this email.
Today's Featured Quiz
The Central Powers of World War One
30 questions. Roughly 10 minutes. From the alliance that formed around Germany and Austria-Hungary to the leaders, battles, and the empires that fell when the war ended. If you know your Great War history, this one will test it.
More to Explore
The Allied Powers of World War One
Every alliance has two sides. Once you've tested yourself on the Central Powers, see how well you know the other camp: Britain, France, Russia, Italy, and the United States, the nations that signed the Treaty of Versailles on this day in 1919. 30 questions for those who want to finish the story.
The Answer
The Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria
Germany and Austria-Hungary were joined by the Ottoman Empire, which entered the war in late 1914, and Bulgaria, which joined in 1915. Together these four made up the Central Powers. By the war's end, the German, Austro-Hungarian, and Ottoman empires had all collapsed, and the map of Europe and the Middle East was permanently redrawn.
Want the full picture? Today's featured quiz covers the whole alliance.
On This Day
June 28 carries remarkable historical weight. In 1914, the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo lit the fuse of World War I. In 1919, exactly five years later, the Treaty of Versailles was signed at the Palace of Versailles, ending the war with Germany. Two June 28ths, half a decade apart, opened and closed the deadliest conflict the world had yet seen.
Stay
Curious.
Bob