Franz Ferdinand Carl Ludwig Joseph Maria,  Archduke of Austria-Este, Austro-Hungarian and Royal Prince of Hungary and of Bohemia and, from 1896 until his death, heir presumptive to the Austro-Hungarian throne was born on this day, December 18, in 1863. His assassination in Sarajevo on June 28, 1914, precipitated Austria-Hungary’s declaration of war against Serbia which caused the Central Powers (including Germany and Austria-Hungary) and Serbia’s … Continue reading Archduke Franz Ferdinand