Franz Ferdinand was the Archduke of Austria-Este and heir to the Austro-Hungarian throne. Born in 1863, he was known for his progressive views and desire for reform within the empire. His assassination in 1914 in Sarajevo by Gavrilo Princip, a member of a nationalist group, set off a chain of events that led to the outbreak of World War I. The assassination of Franz Ferdinand is often seen as a pivotal moment in history. It heightened tensions between major powers, including Germany, Russia, and France, ultimately leading to a devastating global conflict. His death marked the end of an era and changed the course of history forever.