{"id":1235,"date":"2016-04-26T17:57:32","date_gmt":"2016-04-26T16:57:32","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.earth-site.co.uk\/Education\/?page_id=1235"},"modified":"2025-09-12T17:07:41","modified_gmt":"2025-09-12T16:07:41","slug":"28th-of-july","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.earth-site.co.uk\/Education\/28th-of-july\/","title":{"rendered":"28th of July: From Empires to Epidemics"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>[et_pb_section fb_built=&#8221;1&#8243; admin_label=&#8221;section&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; locked=&#8221;off&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_row admin_label=&#8221;row&#8221; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; background_size=&#8221;initial&#8221; background_position=&#8221;top_left&#8221; background_repeat=&#8221;repeat&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;][et_pb_column type=&#8221;4_4&#8243; _builder_version=&#8221;4.16&#8243; custom_padding=&#8221;|||&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221; custom_padding__hover=&#8221;|||&#8221;][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<h1 data-start=\"148\" data-end=\"207\"><strong data-start=\"153\" data-end=\"207\">On This Day \u2013 July 28th: From Empires to Epidemics<\/strong><\/h1>\n<p data-start=\"209\" data-end=\"443\"><br data-start=\"236\" data-end=\"239\" \/>Explore the key events of July 28th, from the start of World War I and the fall of empires to scientific breakthroughs and birthdays of legendary figures. Discover the significance of this day in history.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"445\" data-end=\"448\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"450\" data-end=\"482\">&#x1f4c5; <strong data-start=\"456\" data-end=\"482\">What Day Is July 28th?<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul data-start=\"484\" data-end=\"921\">\n<li data-start=\"484\" data-end=\"604\">\n<p data-start=\"486\" data-end=\"604\"><strong data-start=\"486\" data-end=\"508\">Gregorian Calendar<\/strong>: July 28th is the <strong data-start=\"527\" data-end=\"552\">209th day of the year<\/strong> (210th in leap years), with <strong data-start=\"581\" data-end=\"603\">156 days remaining<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"605\" data-end=\"693\">\n<p data-start=\"607\" data-end=\"693\"><strong data-start=\"607\" data-end=\"622\">Zodiac Sign<\/strong>: Born under <strong data-start=\"635\" data-end=\"642\">Leo<\/strong>, known for confidence, leadership, and creativity.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"694\" data-end=\"921\">\n<p data-start=\"696\" data-end=\"717\"><strong data-start=\"696\" data-end=\"716\">Seasonal Context<\/strong>:<\/p>\n<ul data-start=\"720\" data-end=\"921\">\n<li data-start=\"720\" data-end=\"820\">\n<p data-start=\"722\" data-end=\"820\">In the <strong data-start=\"729\" data-end=\"752\">Northern Hemisphere<\/strong>, it\u2019s the height of summer\u2014when history often takes dramatic turns.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"823\" data-end=\"921\">\n<p data-start=\"825\" data-end=\"921\">In the <strong data-start=\"832\" data-end=\"855\">Southern Hemisphere<\/strong>, it\u2019s deep winter\u2014an introspective season perfect for reflection.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p data-start=\"923\" data-end=\"1073\"><strong data-start=\"923\" data-end=\"939\">SEO Keywords<\/strong>: July 28 history, on this day July 28, July 28 famous events, what happened on July 28, famous birthdays July 28, July 28 observances<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"1075\" data-end=\"1078\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"1080\" data-end=\"1126\">&#x1f389; <strong data-start=\"1086\" data-end=\"1126\">Holidays and Observances \u2013 July 28th<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h3 data-start=\"1128\" data-end=\"1162\">&#x1f1f5;&#x1f1ea; <strong data-start=\"1137\" data-end=\"1162\">Peru Independence Day<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul data-start=\"1163\" data-end=\"1484\">\n<li data-start=\"1163\" data-end=\"1245\">\n<p data-start=\"1165\" data-end=\"1245\">Celebrates <strong data-start=\"1176\" data-end=\"1217\">Peru\u2019s independence from Spanish rule<\/strong>, declared on July 28, 1821.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1246\" data-end=\"1357\">\n<p data-start=\"1248\" data-end=\"1357\">The day is marked with vibrant parades, music, traditional dancing, and military displays across the country.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1358\" data-end=\"1484\">\n<p data-start=\"1360\" data-end=\"1484\">Known as <em data-start=\"1369\" data-end=\"1386\">Fiestas Patrias<\/em>, it is <strong data-start=\"1394\" data-end=\"1429\">Peru\u2019s biggest national holiday<\/strong>, followed by a second day of celebration on July 29th.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 data-start=\"1486\" data-end=\"1525\">&#x1f3e5; <strong data-start=\"1493\" data-end=\"1525\">World Hepatitis Day (Global)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul data-start=\"1526\" data-end=\"1833\">\n<li data-start=\"1526\" data-end=\"1582\">\n<p data-start=\"1528\" data-end=\"1582\">Recognized by the <strong data-start=\"1546\" data-end=\"1581\">World Health Organization (WHO)<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1583\" data-end=\"1692\">\n<p data-start=\"1585\" data-end=\"1692\">Aims to raise awareness about <strong data-start=\"1615\" data-end=\"1646\">hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E<\/strong>, affecting over 350 million people worldwide.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"1693\" data-end=\"1833\">\n<p data-start=\"1695\" data-end=\"1833\">Chosen in honor of the birthday of Nobel Laureate <strong data-start=\"1745\" data-end=\"1768\">Dr. Baruch Blumberg<\/strong>, who discovered the hepatitis B virus and developed its vaccine.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr data-start=\"1835\" data-end=\"1838\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"1840\" data-end=\"1886\">&#x1f4dc; <strong data-start=\"1846\" data-end=\"1886\">Major Historical Events on July 28th<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h3 data-start=\"1888\" data-end=\"1924\">&#x2694;&#xfe0f; <strong data-start=\"1895\" data-end=\"1924\">1914 \u2013 World War I Begins<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul data-start=\"1925\" data-end=\"2317\">\n<li data-start=\"1925\" data-end=\"2002\">\n<p data-start=\"1927\" data-end=\"2002\">Austria-Hungary declares war on Serbia, <strong data-start=\"1967\" data-end=\"2001\">triggering the First World War<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2003\" data-end=\"2134\">\n<p data-start=\"2005\" data-end=\"2134\">Fueled by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand a month earlier, the event set off a chain reaction among allied nations.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2135\" data-end=\"2223\">\n<p data-start=\"2137\" data-end=\"2223\">The war would involve more than 30 countries and result in <strong data-start=\"2196\" data-end=\"2222\">over 16 million deaths<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2224\" data-end=\"2317\">\n<p data-start=\"2226\" data-end=\"2317\">July 28th marks the <strong data-start=\"2246\" data-end=\"2264\">official start<\/strong> of one of the most devastating conflicts in history.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 data-start=\"2319\" data-end=\"2376\">&#x1f451; <strong data-start=\"2326\" data-end=\"2376\">1540 \u2013 Execution of Thomas Cromwell in England<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul data-start=\"2377\" data-end=\"2703\">\n<li data-start=\"2377\" data-end=\"2475\">\n<p data-start=\"2379\" data-end=\"2475\"><strong data-start=\"2379\" data-end=\"2398\">Thomas Cromwell<\/strong>, chief minister to <strong data-start=\"2418\" data-end=\"2437\">King Henry VIII<\/strong>, was executed at the Tower of London.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2476\" data-end=\"2628\">\n<p data-start=\"2478\" data-end=\"2628\">Once one of the most powerful men in England, he was accused of treason and heresy\u2014largely for arranging the king&#8217;s failed marriage to Anne of Cleves.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2629\" data-end=\"2703\">\n<p data-start=\"2631\" data-end=\"2703\">On the <strong data-start=\"2638\" data-end=\"2650\">same day<\/strong>, Henry married <strong data-start=\"2666\" data-end=\"2686\">Catherine Howard<\/strong>, his fifth wife.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 data-start=\"2705\" data-end=\"2767\">&#x1f3db;&#xfe0f; <strong data-start=\"2713\" data-end=\"2767\">1794 \u2013 Death of Robespierre (One Day After Arrest)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul data-start=\"2768\" data-end=\"3067\">\n<li data-start=\"2768\" data-end=\"2920\">\n<p data-start=\"2770\" data-end=\"2920\"><strong data-start=\"2770\" data-end=\"2796\">Maximilien Robespierre<\/strong>, leader of the Jacobins and figurehead of the Reign of Terror during the French Revolution, was <strong data-start=\"2893\" data-end=\"2919\">executed by guillotine<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"2921\" data-end=\"3067\">\n<p data-start=\"2923\" data-end=\"3067\">His downfall marked a shift from radical revolutionary politics toward a more moderate republic\u2014paving the way for <strong data-start=\"3038\" data-end=\"3066\">Napoleon\u2019s eventual rise<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 data-start=\"3069\" data-end=\"3115\">&#x1f30b; <strong data-start=\"3076\" data-end=\"3115\">1976 \u2013 Tangshan Earthquake in China<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul data-start=\"3116\" data-end=\"3426\">\n<li data-start=\"3116\" data-end=\"3241\">\n<p data-start=\"3118\" data-end=\"3241\">A <strong data-start=\"3120\" data-end=\"3148\">magnitude 7.5 earthquake<\/strong> devastated the city of <strong data-start=\"3172\" data-end=\"3184\">Tangshan<\/strong>, killing over <strong data-start=\"3199\" data-end=\"3217\">240,000 people<\/strong>, though estimates vary.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3242\" data-end=\"3316\">\n<p data-start=\"3244\" data-end=\"3316\">It remains <strong data-start=\"3255\" data-end=\"3315\">one of the deadliest natural disasters in modern history<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3317\" data-end=\"3426\">\n<p data-start=\"3319\" data-end=\"3426\">The event exposed weaknesses in urban planning and emergency response under China\u2019s government at the time.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 data-start=\"3428\" data-end=\"3497\">&#x1f9ec; <strong data-start=\"3435\" data-end=\"3497\">1858 \u2013 First Use of Fingerprints in Criminal Investigation<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul data-start=\"3498\" data-end=\"3752\">\n<li data-start=\"3498\" data-end=\"3633\">\n<p data-start=\"3500\" data-end=\"3633\">In India, <strong data-start=\"3510\" data-end=\"3534\">Sir William Herschel<\/strong> started using <strong data-start=\"3549\" data-end=\"3585\">fingerprints to identify workers<\/strong>, laying the groundwork for modern forensic science.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3634\" data-end=\"3752\">\n<p data-start=\"3636\" data-end=\"3752\">Though the science of fingerprinting evolved later, this was among the earliest known uses in identity verification.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr data-start=\"3754\" data-end=\"3757\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"3759\" data-end=\"3798\">&#x1f382; <strong data-start=\"3765\" data-end=\"3798\">Famous Birthdays on July 28th<\/strong><\/h2>\n<h3 data-start=\"3800\" data-end=\"3840\">&#x1f9ea; <strong data-start=\"3807\" data-end=\"3840\">Baruch Samuel Blumberg (1925)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul data-start=\"3841\" data-end=\"4039\">\n<li data-start=\"3841\" data-end=\"3894\">\n<p data-start=\"3843\" data-end=\"3894\">American physician, geneticist, and Nobel Laureate.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3895\" data-end=\"3974\">\n<p data-start=\"3897\" data-end=\"3974\">Discovered the <strong data-start=\"3912\" data-end=\"3933\">hepatitis B virus<\/strong> and developed a <strong data-start=\"3950\" data-end=\"3973\">life-saving vaccine<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"3975\" data-end=\"4039\">\n<p data-start=\"3977\" data-end=\"4039\">His birthday was chosen as <strong data-start=\"4004\" data-end=\"4027\">World Hepatitis Day<\/strong> by the WHO.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 data-start=\"4041\" data-end=\"4085\">&#x1f3ac; <strong data-start=\"4048\" data-end=\"4085\">Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis (1929)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul data-start=\"4086\" data-end=\"4276\">\n<li data-start=\"4086\" data-end=\"4131\">\n<p data-start=\"4088\" data-end=\"4131\">Former <strong data-start=\"4095\" data-end=\"4130\">First Lady of the United States<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4132\" data-end=\"4276\">\n<p data-start=\"4134\" data-end=\"4276\">Known for her elegance, intelligence, and strength\u2014especially during her husband <strong data-start=\"4215\" data-end=\"4247\">John F. Kennedy\u2019s presidency<\/strong> and after his assassination.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 data-start=\"4278\" data-end=\"4308\">&#x1f6e1;&#xfe0f; <strong data-start=\"4286\" data-end=\"4308\">Hugo Ch\u00e1vez (1954)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul data-start=\"4309\" data-end=\"4532\">\n<li data-start=\"4309\" data-end=\"4395\">\n<p data-start=\"4311\" data-end=\"4395\">Former President of Venezuela and a controversial figure in Latin American politics.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4396\" data-end=\"4532\">\n<p data-start=\"4398\" data-end=\"4532\">Promoted <strong data-start=\"4407\" data-end=\"4458\">socialist reforms and anti-imperialist rhetoric<\/strong>, while drawing criticism for authoritarianism and economic mismanagement.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3 data-start=\"4534\" data-end=\"4569\">&#x1f3ad; <strong data-start=\"4541\" data-end=\"4569\">Elizabeth Berkley (1972)<\/strong><\/h3>\n<ul data-start=\"4570\" data-end=\"4666\">\n<li data-start=\"4570\" data-end=\"4666\">\n<p data-start=\"4572\" data-end=\"4666\">American actress best known for her role in <em data-start=\"4616\" data-end=\"4635\">Saved by the Bell<\/em> and the cult film <em data-start=\"4654\" data-end=\"4665\">Showgirls<\/em>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr data-start=\"4668\" data-end=\"4671\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"4673\" data-end=\"4716\">&#x1f4a1; <strong data-start=\"4679\" data-end=\"4716\">Interesting Facts About July 28th<\/strong><\/h2>\n<ul data-start=\"4718\" data-end=\"5215\">\n<li data-start=\"4718\" data-end=\"4848\">\n<p data-start=\"4720\" data-end=\"4848\">The <strong data-start=\"4724\" data-end=\"4739\">July Crisis<\/strong> of 1914\u2014one of the most studied political escalations in history\u2014ended with the outbreak of WWI on this day.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4849\" data-end=\"4941\">\n<p data-start=\"4851\" data-end=\"4941\">The <strong data-start=\"4855\" data-end=\"4878\">Tangshan earthquake<\/strong> occurred just before 4 a.m., catching millions in their sleep.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"4942\" data-end=\"5095\">\n<p data-start=\"4944\" data-end=\"5095\">Peru\u2019s <strong data-start=\"4951\" data-end=\"4971\">Independence Day<\/strong> celebrations include elaborate military parades, similar in spirit to Bastille Day in France or the 4th of July in the U.S.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<li data-start=\"5096\" data-end=\"5215\">\n<p data-start=\"5098\" data-end=\"5215\"><strong data-start=\"5098\" data-end=\"5136\">Jacqueline Kennedy\u2019s fashion sense<\/strong> redefined the role of First Lady and influenced generations of American women.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr data-start=\"5217\" data-end=\"5220\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"5222\" data-end=\"5253\">&#x1f501; <strong data-start=\"5228\" data-end=\"5253\">Why July 28th Matters<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"5255\" data-end=\"5459\">July 28th stands as a <strong data-start=\"5277\" data-end=\"5327\">powerful reminder of humanity\u2019s highs and lows<\/strong>\u2014from the outbreak of world war and revolutionary executions to the rise of public health awareness and the birth of cultural icons.<\/p>\n<p data-start=\"5461\" data-end=\"5636\">Whether we\u2019re reflecting on <strong data-start=\"5489\" data-end=\"5510\">Peru\u2019s liberation<\/strong>, the <strong data-start=\"5516\" data-end=\"5537\">power of medicine<\/strong>, or the <strong data-start=\"5546\" data-end=\"5578\">chains of political upheaval<\/strong>, this date speaks to both <strong data-start=\"5605\" data-end=\"5635\">tragedy and transformation<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<hr data-start=\"5638\" data-end=\"5641\" \/>\n<h2 data-start=\"5643\" data-end=\"5690\">&#x1f4e3; <strong data-start=\"5649\" data-end=\"5690\">Continue Your Journey Through History<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p data-start=\"5692\" data-end=\"5951\">&#x1f4a1; Want to discover what else happened this week in history?<br data-start=\"5752\" data-end=\"5755\" \/>&#x1f514; Subscribe to Earth Site\u2019s <em data-start=\"5784\" data-end=\"5797\">On This Day<\/em> series for daily knowledge boosts.<br data-start=\"5832\" data-end=\"5835\" \/>&#x1f4ac; Share your favorite July 28th moment in the comments!<br data-start=\"5891\" data-end=\"5894\" \/>&#x1f4f2; Follow us for more bite-sized history, all year round.<\/p>\n<p>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=&#8221;4.27.4&#8243; _module_preset=&#8221;default&#8221; global_colors_info=&#8221;{}&#8221;]<\/p>\n<dl class=\"tdih_list\"><dt class=\"tdih_event_type\"><\/dt><dd><span class=\"tdih_event_year\">1914<\/span>  <span class=\"tdih_event_name\"><p class=\"MsoNormal\"><a href=\"..\/on-this-day\/\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.earth-site.co.uk\/Education\/Images\/calender days\/July28.png\" alt=\"July 28\" width=\"274\" height=\"252\" align=\"left\" border=\"0\" hspace=\"12\" loading=\"lazy\" \/><\/a><\/p>\r\n<p class=\"\" style=\"text-align: justify;text-indent: 36.0pt\"><strong><span style=\"line-height: 115%\">In 1914, The First World War Began<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\r\nOn the 20th of May 1882, the Austro-Hungarian Empire signed a treaty with Germany and Italy known as the Triple Alliance Treaty (1882). The treaty was a military alliance of the signatories, which ensured support of the other nations in the event of aggression from any other \u201cGreat Power\u201d. The Great Powers were <a title=\"United Kingdom\" href=\"https:\/\/www.earth-site.co.uk\/Education\/united-kingdom\/\">Great Britain<\/a>, <a title=\"France\" href=\"https:\/\/www.earth-site.co.uk\/Education\/france\/\">France<\/a>, <a title=\"Germany\" href=\"https:\/\/www.earth-site.co.uk\/Education\/germany\/\">Germany<\/a>, <a title=\"Italy\" href=\"https:\/\/www.earth-site.co.uk\/Education\/italy\/\">Italy<\/a>, <a href=\"..\/japan\/\">Japan<\/a>, Austro-Hungary, <a title=\"Russia\" href=\"https:\/\/www.earth-site.co.uk\/Education\/russia\/\">Russia<\/a> and The <a title=\"United States of America\" href=\"https:\/\/www.earth-site.co.uk\/Education\/united-states\/\">United States<\/a>.\r\n\r\nOn the 17th of August 1892, France and Russia drafted their own Military Alliance in response, guaranteeing the other's assistance if either was attacked by another Great Power. The Franco-Russian Treaty was completed on the 4th of January 1894. Great Britain had remained neutral but on the 8th of April 1904, they signed the \u201cEntente Cordiale\u201d with France, which was a similar military alliance treaty. On the 31st of August 1907, the <a title=\"United Kingdom\" href=\"https:\/\/www.earth-site.co.uk\/Education\/united-kingdom\">United Kingdom<\/a> and Russia signed a Military Alliance. These treaties between Britain, France and Russia became known as the Triple Entente and along with the Triple Alliance, two great power structures had formed in <a href=\"https:\/\/www.earth-site.co.uk\/Education\/european-countries\/\">Europe<\/a>. The Serbian King Milan I Obrenovi\u0107 had a very close relationship with the Austro-Hungarian Empire, and they lived in peace for many years. On the 28<sup>th<\/sup> of May (10<sup>th<\/sup> of June Gregorian) 1903 King Milan I Obrenovi\u0107 and his wife, Queen Draga were killed in what became known as the May Coup and replaced with King Peter I. Peter I had ambitions of rebuilding the Serbian Empire of the 14<sup>th<\/sup> Centaury and this growth of the Serbian Empire would bring much conflict between <a title=\"Serbia\" href=\"https:\/\/www.earth-site.co.uk\/Education\/serbia\/\">Serbia<\/a> and the Austro-Hungarian Empire.\r\nOn the 6<sup>th<\/sup> of October 1908, the Austro-Hungarian Empire officially announced its Annexation of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.earth-site.co.uk\/Education\/bosnia-herzegovina\">Bosnia and Herzegovina<\/a>, which angered Serbia, <a title=\"Montenegro\" href=\"https:\/\/www.earth-site.co.uk\/Education\/montenegro\/\">Montenegro<\/a>, the Russian Empire and many of the Bosnian people in what became known as the \u201cBosnian Crisis\u201d. Serbia backed many would-be assassins against the Empire's officials, but soon Serbian Nationalists would orchestrate one of the most infamous assassinations in history.\r\n\r\nIn June 1913, Emperor Franz Joseph I sent his nephew and heir, Archduke Franz Ferdinand, to the Bosnian capital, Sarajevo to inspect the Hungarian troops there. The Inspection was set for the 28<sup>th<\/sup> of June, and both Ferdinand and his wife, Sophie Chotek von Chotvoka, arrived early in the day with the intention of having lunch before the inspection.\r\nSeven Serbian terrorists, who were part of the Black Hand group, planned the assassination attempt of Archduke Ferdinand while on his visit. The seven men were in place along the planned route, each with the intent to carry out the assassination if the others were unable. The first two assassins couldn\u2019t strike due to the crowds on the street, but the third, Vaso \u010cubrilovi\u0107, was able to throw a timed bomb at the car containing Ferdinand and his wife. The bomb, however, bounced off the car and exploded under another car in the Archduke's motorcade. The remaining cars in the motorcade continued at high speed to the town hall, preventing another attempt. After the Archduke and his wife briefly recovered from the experience, they planned to visit the victims of the bomb blast in the hospital. While on their way to the hospital, their driver took a wrong turn, and as he stopped the car to reverse, another of the Assassins, Gavrilo Princip, walked up to the car and fired just two shots from about 5 meters away. One shot hit Archduke Ferdinand in the neck, and another hit his wife in the stomach. Franz Ferdinand, his wife and unborn child all died from the shots.\r\n\r\nBad blood existed between the two powers for some time, and on the 7<sup>th<\/sup> of July 1914, in response to the assassination, the Ministerial Council of Austro-Hungary convened in Vienna to discuss the \u201cmeasures to be used in reforming the evil internal political conditions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as shown up by the disastrous event at Sarajevo\u201d. Diplomatic preparations had already been made when the Austro-Hungarian government met with delegates from the German Government, who assured them that Germany would support any acts of aggression against Serbia.\r\n\r\nWith this assurance in mind, the Ministerial Council began to \u201cmake up their minds as to whether the moment had not come for reducing Serbia to permanent inoffensiveness by a demonstration of their power\u201d. The Ministers agreed on placing demands on Serbia that \u201cmust undoubtedly be hard, but should not be impossible of fulfilment. Should Serbia accept them we should be able to quote a dazzling diplomatic victory, and our prestige in the Balkans would be raised\u201d. If their demands were not met than they planned to take Warlike action against Serbia, stressing that the \u201cobject of such action ought to be the reduction of Serbia, but not her complete annihilation\u201d for fear of provoking Russia (an ally of Serbia) into all out war. By the end of the meeting, the Ministers stated that any act of aggression against Serbia could not be considered until they could determine \u201cWhether it would be possible to mobilise against Serbia first, and only subsequently against Russia as well, if this should become necessary\u201d?\r\nBy the 14<sup>th<\/sup> of July, Germany had convinced Austro-Hungary that a swift offensive against Serbia before Russia could react was possible and pushed them to take a hard line against Serbia. On the 14<sup>th<\/sup> of July, a report from the German Ambassador to Vienna stated that the Ultimatum to Serbia \u201cis being composed so that the possibility of its being accepted is practically excluded\u201d.\r\n\r\nThe Ultimatum was sent to the Serbian government on the 23<sup>rd<\/sup> of July 1914 and did indeed contain some tough demands that would demoralise the Kingdom of Serbia. Some of the demands included that Serbia accept an independent enquiry by Austro-Hungary into the assassination and the Serbian government\u2019s involvement, which is guilty of tolerating the terrorists and has \u201cexhibited to the whole world the dreadful consequences of such tolerance\u201d.\u00a0 Serbia must take steps to suppress any anti-Austro-Hungarian propaganda and eliminate any terrorist threat against them. Serbia accepts the Austro-Hungarian governance of Bosnia and does not concern itself with the affairs of the country, but lives as a friendly nation, changing its foreign policy. Serbia were given 48 hours to comply with the ultimatum.\r\n\r\nUpon receiving the Ultimatum Serbian Government requested further assurances from Russia that it would have their support in the event of hostilities. Russia, believing that Germany was using the event to push for war to secure its assets in the area, mobilised units on the 24<sup>th<\/sup> of July in anticipation of war. 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