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Following an ultimatum to withdraw German troops from Belgium, Britain declared war on Germany on 4 August 1914. Monday 4 August 2014 will mark the 100th anniversary of the start of Britain’s involvement in World War One.Front pages from the start of World War OneThe news that Britain had joined World War One featured prominently in many of the newspapers printed the following day.Search newspapers from World War OneHere’s a selection of the newspaper headlines announcing Britain’s involvement in WW1.…

World War One officially started on 28 July 1914 when Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia.There are currently 25 newspapers from 28 July 1914 available to view online at The British Newspaper Archive. You’ll find clippings from some of these newspapers below, showing how the start of the war was reported.Explore newspapers from 1914 Austria-Hungary’s declaration of war starts WW1The Serbian Prime Minister received a telegram at 12.30pm on 28 July 1914. It stated that ‘Austria-Hungary… considers herself henceforward in state of war with Serbia’.While…

Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated 100 years ago on Sunday 28 June 1914, starting the chain of events that lead to World War One.The first reports about the assassination were printed in British newspapers the following day. You can read many of them online at The British Newspaper Archive.Read reports about Franz FerdinandManchester Evening News: ‘What the tragedy will mean’The article published in the Manchester Evening News included a report about what the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand could…

The WW1 Gallipoli Campaign began on 25 April 1915, resulting in the loss of approximately 50,000 men from Australia, Britain, France and New Zealand.A poignant letter from an attending nurse was sent to an Australian woman living in London and printed in the Tamworth Herald.‘It breaks my heart to see them’The letter describes the nurse’s work at the Dardanelles during World War One and includes this incredibly moving comment:‘It’s a sad time for us all, but you can be…

WW1 editions of the Evening Despatch now onlineThe Evening Despatch was published in Birmingham throughout World War One. Over 4,000 pages from newspapers published in 1915, 1917 and 1918 have just been made available to search online.Search the Evening Despatch  Newspaper pages added every weekThousands of extra pages are added to The British Newspaper Archive each week. We’ll be adding more from the Evening Despatch soon, so be sure to check the recent additions regularly.See what’s been added in the…

Search The British Newspaper Archive for the words ‘April Fool’ and you’ll find hundreds of examples of ‘hilarious’ pranks that were staged on 1 April in the past. We’ve selected our favourites for you to enjoy.WW1 football ‘bomb’A ‘bomb’ was dropped on German troops during the First World War. After scrambling to take cover, the men discovered it was actually a football with the words ‘April fool!’ written on it.View the whole newspaper pageCoventry Evening Telegraph – Friday 16…