Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria was born on December 18, 1863, and was the heir presumptive to the Austro-Hungarian throne. He was a member of the Habsburg dynasty and played a significant role in the political landscape of Europe in the early 20th century. His assassination in Sarajevo on June 28, 1914, is widely regarded as the event that triggered World War I. Franz Ferdinand's death led to a series of political crises and alliances that escalated into a global conflict. His assassination was carried out by Gavrilo Princip, a member of a nationalist group seeking independence for Serbia. This event set off a chain reaction among the major powers of Europe, ultimately leading to the war.