What happened in 1914?

The First World War begins

After the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary in June 1914, a chain of alliances drew Europe's great powers into war. The First World War lasted until 11 November 1918 and killed around 20 million people. It reshaped the world's map and led to the League of Nations.

The Panama Canal opens between the Atlantic and Pacific

On 15 August 1914, the cargo ship SS Ancon made the first official passage through the Panama Canal. The 82 km canal across the Isthmus of Panama joined the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, using giant locks to lift ships over the land. It cut the sea journey from New York to San Francisco by about 13,000 km.

The First World War begins

On 28 July 1914, Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, a month after the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo. Alliances drew in the great powers within days. The war lasted more than four years and cost about 20 million lives.

The first electric traffic light is installed

On 5 August 1914, the first electric traffic signal in the United States was installed at a crossroads in Cleveland, Ohio, with red and green lights and a buzzer to warn of changes. Amber lights came later. Traffic lights now control roads in almost every city in the world.

The Panama Canal opens

On 15 August 1914, the cargo ship SS Ancon made the first official passage through the Panama Canal, joining the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. Using giant locks to lift ships over the land, it cut the sea journey from New York to San Francisco by about 13,000 km.

Archduke Franz Ferdinand assassinated

The canal opens

First international sea safety convention

First World War begins; Panama Canal opens