The First World War began on July 28, 1914, a global conflict that more than any other event shaped the 20th century and the world we live in today.
When the Austro-Hungarian Empire declared war on Serbia that day over the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, it ignited a regional conflict that would soon drag the entire European continent into war. The participation of the Japanese Empire and the United States in the ensuing years would spread the conflict further, with more theaters, casualties and expenditures than any other war in history up to that point.
But even when the war ended on Nov. 11, 1918, its legacy and impact were only beginning to take root. The First World War was responsible for the Great Depression, Second World War and Cold War in the coming decades, making the 20th century the most violent and destructive in the history of mankind.
As we commemorate the centennial of the First World War, we reviewed the numerous battles fought on various fronts during the four-year, three-month and one-week conflict. Based on their historical significance, these made our list of Top 10 Battles of World War I, in chronological order:
(Compiled by Samuel Chi, Editor, RealClearHistory)
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