Comparing Timelines
Exploring the overlapping histories of "World War I" and "Spanish flu".
World War I
1914 - 1921
Spanish flu
1918 - 1922
1914 CE
Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand
Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria, heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne, was assassinated in Sarajevo by Gavrilo Princip, a Bosnian Serb nationalist. This event triggered the July Crisis and ultimately led to the outbreak of World War I. The assassination was carried out by members of the Young Bosnia movement, supplied with arms by the Serbian Black Hand organization.
Anti-Serb Riots in Sarajevo
Following the assassination, Austro-Hungarian authorities encouraged anti-Serb riots in Sarajevo and other cities. Approximately 5,500 prominent Serbs were imprisoned, with 700 to 2,200 dying in prison. A further 460 Serbs were sentenced to death, and a Bosniak militia called the Schutzkorps was established to persecute Serbs.
Austrian Ultimatum to Serbia
Austria-Hungary delivered an ultimatum to Serbia with ten demands made intentionally unacceptable to provide an excuse for starting hostilities. The ultimatum was designed to be rejected, giving Austria-Hungary justification for war against Serbia.
Serbian General Mobilization
Serbia ordered general mobilization but accepted all terms of the Austrian ultimatum except those empowering Austrian representatives to suppress 'subversive elements' inside Serbia. Austria claimed this amounted to rejection and broke off diplomatic relations.
Austria-Hungary Declares War on Serbia
Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia and began shelling Belgrade, marking the official beginning of World War I. This declaration triggered the alliance system that would draw the major European powers into the conflict.
Russian General Mobilization
Russia ordered general mobilization in support of Serbia, escalating the conflict beyond the Balkans. This mobilization triggered Germany's war plans and brought the major European powers closer to full-scale war.
Germany Declares War on Russia
After the Russian government refused to cease war measures against Germany and Austria-Hungary within 12 hours, Germany declared war on Russia. This marked Germany's entry into the conflict and activated the Schlieffen Plan.
Germany Occupies Luxembourg
Germany occupied Luxembourg and exchanged fire with French units when German patrols entered French territory. This marked the beginning of German military operations in Western Europe.
Germany Invades Belgium, Britain Declares War
Germany invaded Belgium, prompting King Albert I to call for assistance under the Treaty of London. Britain sent Germany an ultimatum demanding withdrawal from Belgium, and when it expired at midnight without response, Britain declared war on Germany.
Battle of the Cer Begins
Austrian and Serbian forces clashed at the Battle of the Cer, marking the first major battle of World War I. Over the next two weeks, Austrian attacks were repulsed with heavy losses, forcing Austria to keep sizeable forces on the Serbian front.
Russian Armies Enter East Prussia
Two Russian armies entered East Prussia without many of their support elements, ten days before the Germans had anticipated. This forced Germany to divert troops from the Western Front but led to Russian defeats at Tannenberg and the Masurian Lakes.
New Zealand Occupies German Samoa
New Zealand occupied German Samoa, marking one of the first Allied victories in the Pacific theater. This was part of the broader Allied effort to seize German colonies worldwide.
Australian Forces Land in German New Guinea
The Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force landed on the island of New Britain, then part of German New Guinea. This was part of the Allied strategy to eliminate German presence in the Pacific.
1915 CE
Bulgaria Declares War on Serbia
Bulgaria declared war on Serbia and joined the attack by the Austro-Hungarian army. This marked a significant expansion of the Central Powers and put additional pressure on Serbia from multiple fronts.
1916 CE
Battle of Verdun Begins
Germany launched a massive offensive against French defensive positions at Verdun, beginning one of the longest and bloodiest battles of World War I. The battle would last until December 1916, with casualties between 700,000 to 975,000 for both sides combined.
Arab Revolt Begins
The Arab Revolt began with the Battle of Mecca, led by Sharif Hussein and instigated by the British Foreign Office. The Sharif declared the independence of the Kingdom of Hejaz and, with British assistance, conquered much of Ottoman-held Arabia.
Battle of the Somme Begins
The Battle of the Somme began as an Anglo-French offensive. The opening day on July 1st was the bloodiest single day in British Army history, with 57,500 casualties including 19,200 dead. The battle would continue until November with massive casualties on all sides.
Romania Enters the War
Romania joined the Entente and attacked Transylvania under the Treaty of Bucharest. Despite initial success, Romanian forces were eventually driven back by the German 9th Army led by Erich von Falkenhayn, and Bucharest fell to the Central Powers in December.
1917 CE
Russian Revolution - Tsar Nicholas II Abdicates
Tsar Nicholas II was forced to abdicate after troops refused to fire on striking crowds in Petrograd. The Russian Provisional Government was established, confirming Russia's willingness to continue the war despite growing internal chaos.
United States Declares War on Germany
Congress declared war on Germany as an 'Associated Power' of the Allies, following Germany's resumption of unrestricted submarine warfare. President Wilson went to war to ensure the US played a leading role in shaping the peace.
Nivelle Offensive Begins
The French launched the Nivelle Offensive in Champagne as part of a joint Franco-British operation. Despite initial gains, the offensive was halted by strong German defenses, resulting in nearly 135,000 French casualties and triggering widespread mutinies in the French Army.
Lenin Returns to Russia
Vladimir Lenin was ushered from Switzerland into Russia with German help. His return strengthened the Bolshevik Party, which demanded an immediate end to the war and would eventually seize power in the October Revolution.
October Revolution in Russia
The Bolsheviks seized power in Russia in the October Revolution, leading to Russia's eventual withdrawal from the war. This revolution fundamentally changed the nature of the Eastern Front and freed up German troops for the Western Front.
Armistice Between Russia and Central Powers
Soviet Russia signed an armistice with the Central Powers in December, effectively ending Russian participation in World War I. This would be followed by the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk in March 1918.
1918 CE
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk
Soviet Russia signed the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk with the Central Powers, ceding vast territories including Finland, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and parts of Poland and Ukraine. This formally ended Russian participation in World War I.
German Spring Offensive Begins
Germany launched Operation Michael, its spring offensive on the Western Front, achieving an unprecedented advance of 60 kilometers. Despite initial success, the offensive ultimately left the German Army exhausted and demoralized.
Allied Hundred Days Offensive Begins
The Allied Hundred Days Offensive began, marking the final phase of World War I. This coordinated Allied attack caused a collapse of the German front line and led directly to Germany's request for an armistice.
Vardar Offensive Begins
Allied forces started the Vardar offensive at Dobro Pole and near Dojran Lake. The Serbian and French armies achieved a breakthrough after a three-day battle, leading to Bulgaria's collapse and armistice.
Bulgaria Signs Armistice
Bulgaria signed the Armistice of Salonica, becoming the first Central Power to surrender. Kaiser Wilhelm II described the situation as 'Disgraceful! 62,000 Serbs decided the war!' The German Supreme Army Command informed Wilhelm that Germany's military situation was hopeless.
Battle of Vittorio Veneto Begins
Italy launched the Battle of Vittorio Veneto, which rapidly recovered territory lost after Caporetto and marked the end of the Austro-Hungarian Army as an effective fighting force. The offensive triggered the disintegration of the Austro-Hungarian Empire.
Ottoman Empire Signs Armistice
The Ottoman Empire capitulated and signed the Armistice of Mudros, effectively ending Ottoman participation in World War I. This marked the beginning of the end for the Ottoman Empire.
Austria-Hungary Signs Armistice
Austria-Hungary signed the Armistice of Villa Giusti, ending hostilities with Italy. The Austro-Hungarian Empire was disintegrating, with declarations of independence made in Budapest, Prague, and Zagreb during the last week of October.
Kaiser Wilhelm II Abdicates
Facing revolution at home and military collapse, Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicated. The German Revolution had begun with naval mutinies and spread across the country, leading to the proclamation of a republic.
Armistice of Compiègne - End of World War I
The Armistice of Compiègne was signed, ending World War I at 11 AM on November 11, 1918. The war had lasted over four years and resulted in unprecedented casualties and destruction across Europe and beyond.
First documented cases in Haskell County, Kansas
The earliest documented cases of what would become the Spanish flu pandemic appeared in Haskell County, Kansas. Local doctor Loring Miner observed the disease and warned the U.S. Public Health Service. This rural outbreak would later spread to military camps and around the world.
Treaty of Brest-Litovsk spreads flu to Russia
After the signing of the Treaty of Brest-Litovsk in March 1918, Germany started releasing Russian prisoners of war, who brought the disease back to their country, facilitating the pandemic's spread to Russia.
Albert Gitchell case at Camp Funston marks pandemic beginning
The pandemic is conventionally marked as beginning with the recording of Albert Gitchell, an army cook at Camp Funston in Kansas. Within days, 522 men at the camp had reported sick, demonstrating the rapid spread in military facilities.
Virus reaches Queens, New York
By March 11, 1918, the influenza virus had spread from the military camps to reach Queens, New York, marking its arrival in major population centers on the East Coast.
Pandemic reaches Western Front and Europe
The flu became epidemic in the Midwest, East Coast, and French ports by April 1918, reaching the Western Front by mid-April. It then quickly spread to France, Great Britain, Italy, and Spain, severely impacting World War I military operations.
Pandemic reaches Asia and global spread
The flu reached North Africa, India, and Japan in May 1918, and soon after had likely gone around the world with recorded cases in Southeast Asia in April. This marked the truly global nature of the pandemic.
First Spanish newspaper reports appear
On May 21, 1918, El Liberal published likely the first account in Spain of the Spanish flu, titled 'Can One Live? The Fashionable Illness.' Spanish newspapers freely reported the outbreak due to wartime neutrality, leading to the 'Spanish flu' misnomer.
The Times reports 'Spanish influenza' name
The Times of London reported that 'Everybody thinks of it as the Spanish influenza to-day,' marking the widespread adoption of the misleading name that would stick throughout history despite Spain not being the origin.
Pandemic reaches Australia, first wave ends
After reaching Australia in July 1918, the first wave of the pandemic started to recede. This first wave was relatively mild with mortality rates not appreciably above normal, but it disrupted military operations significantly.
Deadly second wave begins
The second wave began in the second half of August 1918, probably spreading to Boston, Massachusetts and Freetown, Sierra Leone. This wave was much more deadly than the first, with October 1918 becoming the month with the highest fatality rate of the entire pandemic.
New York City's first influenza fatality
On September 15, 1918, New York City saw its first fatality from influenza during the deadly second wave, marking the pandemic's lethal arrival in America's largest city.
Philadelphia Liberty Loans Parade disaster
The Philadelphia Liberty Loans Parade held on September 28, 1918, to promote government bonds for World War I, resulted in a massive outbreak causing 12,000 deaths. This became one of the most tragic examples of how public gatherings accelerated the pandemic's spread.
Peak mortality month of October 1918
October 1918 was the month with the highest fatality rate of the whole pandemic. In the United States alone, approximately 292,000 deaths were reported between September-December 1918, compared to only 26,000 during the same period in 1915.
Armistice celebrations cause new outbreaks
The celebrations of the Armistice of November 11, 1918, caused outbreaks in Lima and Nairobi, demonstrating how public gatherings continued to spread the disease even as the war ended.
Second wave mostly ends by December
By December 1918, the deadly second wave was mostly over, but the pandemic had already caused unprecedented mortality worldwide, fundamentally changing public health approaches and leaving lasting impacts on global society.
1919 CE
Treaty of Versailles Signed
The Treaty of Versailles was signed with Germany, formally ending the state of war. The treaty imposed harsh terms on Germany, including territorial losses, disarmament, and massive reparations. It also established the League of Nations.
Third wave begins in 1919
Pandemic activity persisted into 1919 in many places. Cases began to rise again in some parts of the U.S. as early as late November 1918, with significant outbreaks occurring in cities including Los Angeles, New York City, Memphis, Nashville, San Francisco, and St. Louis.
Australia experiences first outbreak
Influenza entered Australia for the first time in January 1919 after a strict maritime quarantine had successfully shielded the country through 1918. It assumed epidemic proportions first in Melbourne, peaking in mid-February.
European third wave peaks
A significant third wave developed in England and Wales by mid-February 1919, peaking in early March. France also experienced a significant wave that peaked in February, alongside the Netherlands, demonstrating the pandemic's continued global impact.
Fourth wave begins in Japan
In Japan, the flu broke out again in December 1919 and spread rapidly throughout the country. Between October 1919 and January 23, 1920, 780,000 cases were reported across the country, with at least 20,000 deaths recorded.
1920 CE
Chicago outbreak begins fourth wave in US
Chicago experienced one of the first major outbreaks of the fourth wave beginning in mid-January 1920. The disease spread at an even faster rate than in winter 1919, though fewer were dying. The outbreak quickly spread outward from the center of the country.
Fourth wave peaks and subsides
The fourth wave in the United States reached a peak in early February 1920 and subsided as swiftly as it had appeared. According to data, this epidemic resulted in one third as many deaths as the 1918-1919 experience, but still caused significant mortality.
Pandemic declared largely over
By mid-1920, the pandemic was largely considered to be 'over' by the public as well as governments. Though parts of Chile experienced a third, milder wave between November 1920 and March 1921, the flu seemed mostly absent through the winter of 1920-1921.
1921 CE
Knox-Porter Resolution
The United States formally ended its involvement in World War I when President Warren G. Harding signed the Knox-Porter Resolution. The US Senate had not ratified the Treaty of Versailles despite public support for it.
Seasonal influenza returns
Seasonal influenza began to be reported again from many places in 1921. The winter of 1921-1922 was the first major reappearance of seasonal influenza in the Northern Hemisphere, marking the transition from pandemic to endemic flu.
1922 CE
Major seasonal flu outbreak in Northern Hemisphere
The winter of 1921-1922 saw the first major reappearance of seasonal influenza in the Northern Hemisphere since the main pandemic. Northwestern Europe was particularly affected, with all-cause mortality in the Netherlands approximately doubling in January 1922 alone.