6 August 2014

100 years of the of outbreakof first World War observed across the globe

4 August: Centenary year of First World War
100 years of the outbreak of First World War (WW-1) was observed across the globe on 4 August 2014. WW-1 started on 4 August 1914 and ended on 11 November 1918.  To mark the centenary year of WW-1, various countries hosted events.

New Zealand became the first country in the world to mark the centenary of WW-1 in a ceremony in Parliament grounds in Wellington. The New Zealand Defence Force and WW100 commemorated the beginning of the First World War for New Zealand with a wreathlaying ceremony at theTomb of the Unknown Warrior in Wellington.

Wales hosted the Light Out event to mark the centenary of WW-1. The Lights Out project was inspired by the words of wartime foreign secretary Sir Edward Grey.

In Belgium, the centenary of WW-1 was marked by a program of exhibition, lectures and academic research focusing on the theme of Belgian involvement in the conflict and the occupation.

Commemorative events were being staged across Scotland to mark the centenary of the outbreak of WW-1 with focus on the contribution of Commonwealth nations to the war effort. Besides, Prince Charles laid wreath at George Square in Glasgow.

About First World War

First World War (also called The Great War) was a global war centered in Europe that began on 4 August 1914 and lasted until 11th November 1918. 135 countries took part in World War I, and more than 15 million people died in the war.

The war drew in all the world's economic great powers which were assembled in two opposing alliances - the Allies and the Central Powers of Germany and Austria-Hungary

 The Allies were based on the Triple Entente of the United Kingdom, France and the Russian Empire. Italy, Japan and the United States also joined the Allies.

On the other hand, Ottoman Empire and Bulgaria the Central Powers of Germany and Austria-Hungary. Although Italy had also been a member of the Triple Alliance alongside Germany and Austria-Hungary, it did not join the Central Powers, as Austria-Hungary had taken the offensive against the terms of the alliance. These alliances were reorganised and expanded as more nations entered the war.

Ultimately, more than 70 million military personnel, including 60 million Europeans, were mobilised in one of the largest wars in history.