Franz Ferdinand of Austria

Franz Ferdinand of Austria (1863-1914) was the heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne. His assassination in Sarajevo on June 28, 1914, by a Bosnian Serb nationalist sparked a series of events that led to World War I. His death symbolized the tensions between different nationalities within the empire and the rising nationalist sentiments in Europe. His assassination prompted Austria-Hungary to issue an ultimatum to Serbia, leading to a chain reaction of alliances and conflicts that engulfed much of the world in war. His life and death highlight the complex political landscape of early 20th-century Europe.