Modern Era
Rutherford's Atomic Nucleus (1911): The Gold Foil Experiment
Rutherford concluded that an atom's positive charge and almost all of its mass are concentrated in a tiny central nucleus, replacing the 'plum pudding' model.
Region
Europe
Modern Era
Sinking of the Titanic (1912): The Night the Unsinkable Sank
The Titanic sank in under three hours; more than 1,500 people died, leading to new international rules on lifeboats, radio watches and ice patrols.
Modern Era
Balkan Wars (1912-1913): Prelude to the First World War
The Ottomans lost nearly all their European lands; Serbia, Greece, Montenegro and Romania gained territory, Albania became independent and Bulgaria lost much of its gains.
Modern Era
Siege of Przemysl (1914-1915): The Fall of a Habsburg Fortress
The fortress surrendered to Russia on 22 March 1915 with around 117,000 men; it was retaken by the Central Powers on 3 June 1915.
Modern Era
Battle of the Falkland Islands (1914): Revenge for Coronel
Decisive British victory; four German cruisers were sunk and the East Asia Squadron ceased to exist.
Modern Era
Battle of Mons (1914): The British Army's First Fight of the War
The British delayed the German First Army for a day, then joined the general Allied retreat towards the Marne.
Modern Era
First Battle of Ypres (1914): The End of the Race to the Sea
Allied defensive victory; Ypres was held, the Race to the Sea ended and the Western Front settled into trench warfare.
Modern Era
Battle of Tannenberg (1914): Germany's Victory in East Prussia
Decisive German victory; the Russian Second Army was destroyed and around 90,000 or more of its soldiers were captured.
Modern Era
German Invasion of Belgium (1914) and the Schlieffen Plan
Germany occupied most of Belgium until 1918, but the invasion brought Britain into the war and Belgian resistance cost the German advance time.
Modern Era
July Crisis of 1914: How Europe Stumbled Into World War I
Diplomacy failed; by 4 August 1914 Austria-Hungary, Germany, Russia, France, Britain, Serbia and Belgium were at war.
Modern Era
Christmas Truce of 1914: When Enemies Met in No Man's Land
An unofficial, local ceasefire along much of the British-held front; fighting resumed afterwards and high commands prevented any repeat on the same scale.
Modern Era
First Battle of the Marne (1914): The Miracle That Saved Paris
Decisive Allied strategic victory; the German armies retreated to the Aisne, ending hopes of a quick German victory in the west.