The First World War began on July 28th 1914 in Europe and spread to the rest of the world. The war ended with the allied victory on November 11th 1918.

Several names are used to for the First World War: The Great War, the war to end all wars, and the world war. It was not until the Second World War broke out that the name The Great War was changed to the First World War. 

The First World War started when the Austrian-Hungarian Empire issued a declaration of war against Serbia a month after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, which was carried out by a Bosnian-Serbian nationalist. The assassination led to a diplomatic crisis and ultimately to war.

As a result of the Austrian-Hungarian war declaration, all the European central powers became involved, due to alliances they had entered into.

The Entente Powers consisted of Great Britain, France and Russia, and the other block known as the Central Powers consisted of an alliance between Germany, Austria-Hungary, The Ottoman Empire and Italy. Italy changed sides in 1915 and the United States joined the fight in 1917 on the side of the Entente Powers.

Other countries also took part in the war either on the side of the Entente Powers or the Central Powers. The many colonies around the world owned by the greater powers involved were also drawn in. The First World War became a conflict on a global scale. 

The war had great financial, social and cultural consequences, but also led to great advances in technology and politics. The plane and the tank were used in the war, women entered the workplace, and new countries appeared on the map as national ideas of people's self-determination and homeland spread.

At GuideService Denmark we have many guides, who are experts on Denmark's involvement in the First World War. They will be happy to tell you about it both on city-walks and on bustours.