In response to the death of Duke Franz*
They produced a long list of demands
Though the Serbs wanted peace
They could not take police
Which fit right in with Austria’s plans

*Pronounce it with a nice, Anglicized “franz” (rhymes with “cans”) rather than the more Germanic “frahnz” (rhymes with “prawns”)

Event: After the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand in Sarajevo, the Austro-Hungarian Empire issues an ultimatum. The Serbian government’s refusal to comply with all elements of the ultimatum eventually led to the start of World War I
Year: 1914
Learn more: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/July_Crisis