On this day 100 years ago: World War I begins

Doughboy monument, Morton Grove

"Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it."
George Santayana

The old order began its collapse 100 years ago today when Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia. Within a few days Germany, France, and Great Britain entered what became known as the Great War, later renamed World War I.

When it was over millions had died and four empires: Austria-Hungary, Germany, Russia, and the Ottoman had collapsed. Nearly twenty years after the peace treaty was signed ending World War I, World War II, which historian John Keegan viewed as a continuation of the Great War, began.

We live in troubled times. I pray they don't get worse.

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