Serbia

World War I, a global conflict originating in Europe, began on July 28, 1914, following the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria in Sarajevo by Gavrilo Princip, a Bosnian Serb. Austria-Hungary declared war on Serbia, triggering a chain of alliances and escalating into a worldwide war. This marked a significant moment in world history, leading to widespread destruction and reshaping Europe’s political landscape.

On December 1, 1918, the Kingdom of Serbs, Croats, and Slovenes was formed, later becoming Yugoslavia. This new state was created from the union of the Kingdom of Serbia with the State of Slovenes, Croats, and Serbs (formed from former Austro-Hungarian territories). This move was part of the state reorganization following World War I and aimed at uniting South Slavic people under a single nation, though it would face many political and ethnic challenges over time.

King Alexander I of Yugoslavia was assassinated on October 9, 1934, while visiting Marseille, France. A member of the Croatian nationalist Ustaše and the Bulgarian IMRO, who opposed his centralizing policies and Yugoslavia's orientation, was responsible. His assassination was significant as it highlighted ongoing ethnic tensions and external influence within Yugoslavia, contributing to instability leading up to World War II.

Josip Broz Tito, the leader of Yugoslavia, died on May 4, 1980. As a significant figure in Yugoslav history, Tito led the resistance during World War II and ruled Yugoslavia as Prime Minister and later President until his death. His leadership was marked by the policy of self-management and non-alignment. His death marked the beginning of political and economic challenges in Yugoslavia, eventually leading to its disintegration in the 1990s.

The breakup of Yugoslavia was a complex and tumultuous process that began in the early 1990s. Amidst rising nationalism and political instability, Slovenia and Croatia declared independence from Yugoslavia on June 25, 1991. This resulted in a series of conflicts and wars involving several Balkan states, including Serbia. The dissolution was marked by ethnic tensions, leading to significant political and humanitarian challenges in the region.

The Dayton Agreement, formalized on November 21, 1995, ended the Bosnian War, one of the conflicts resulting from the breakup of Yugoslavia. Negotiated in Dayton, Ohio, it was signed by Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, and Serbia, establishing peace in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This accord is significant as it marked the cessation of hostilities and structured the political framework for the country, although it left Bosnia divided into two autonomous entities.

The NATO bombing of Yugoslavia began on March 24, 1999, and lasted for 78 days. It was intended to end the humanitarian crisis in Kosovo and was triggered by the failure of peace talks in Rambouillet. The campaign targeted military and strategic sites across Serbia, including Belgrade, with the goal of forcing the withdrawal of Yugoslav forces from Kosovo. The bombing ended in June 1999, leading to the entry of international peacekeeping forces into Kosovo.

On February 4, 2003, the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was reconstituted as the state union of Serbia and Montenegro following years of upheaval in the region. This political restructuring marked a significant step towards redefining the relationship between the two republics while navigating the post-Yugoslavian landscape. The union was transitional, showcasing the evolving political and national identities within the region.

On June 5, 2006, Montenegro declared its independence from Serbia following a closely contested referendum, effectively dissolving the State Union of Serbia and Montenegro. This marked the emergence of both countries as independent nations. The move was historically significant, cementing Montenegro's status as an independent state and marking the peaceful separation of the last two constituent republics of the former Yugoslavia.

Kosovo, a region in the Balkans with a majority ethnic Albanian population, declared independence from Serbia on February 17, 2008. This unilateral declaration followed years of tensions and conflict, notably the Kosovo War in the late 1990s where NATO intervened against Serbian forces. While many countries recognized Kosovo's independence, Serbia, along with a significant number of other nations, refused to do so, leading to ongoing disputes over Kosovo's status.