For the most part, we try to select topics which are not blogged about elsewhere when we put together our daily missives. However today, we simply must discuss the obvious topic…. as on this day in 1914, the UK declared war on Germany and this date is therefore regarded as the beginning of World War One.
The conflict was precipitated by the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, the heir to the throne of Austria-Hungary, by a Serbian nationalist on 28 June 1914. Austria-Hungary, supported by Germany, had declared war on Serbia, and the other European countries had begun to take sides. It was the German invasion of Belgium that brought the UK into the conflict; a move that was initially greeted with enthusiasm by British people.
We are being urged to turn off our lights tonight at 10pm BST to mark the centenary of World War One. This initiative has been inspired by the words of wartime foreign secretary Sir Edward Grey who said on the eve of war: “The lamps are going out all over Europe; we shall not see them lit again in our life-time.” How about no lights and no computers or other electronic equipment at 10pm tonight….? Show your respect: use candle light and read your book.
Did you know? 65 million people fought in World War One, more than the current population of the whole of the United Kingdom.
