Archduke Ferdinand of Austria, born in 1863, was a member of the Austro-Hungarian royal family. He was the heir presumptive to the Austro-Hungarian throne and was known for his interest in military affairs and his support for the Austro-Hungarian Empire's expansion. Ferdinand's assassination in 1914 in Sarajevo by Gavrilo Princip was a pivotal event that triggered World War I. His death led to a series of political crises and alliances that ultimately escalated into a global conflict, reshaping the political landscape of Europe.