The British Foreign Office released a statement explaining that “Owing to the summary rejection by the German Government of the request made by His Majesty's Government for assurances that the neutrality of Belgium would be respected, His Majesty's Ambassador in Berlin has received his passport, and His Majesty's Government has declared to the German Government that a state of war exists between Great Britain and Germany as from 11pm on August 4.”

Canada as a dominion of Britain was immediately at war as well. Across Canada there are hundreds of excellent museum exhibits and events taking place to commemorate this important anniversary. The local exhibits often provide a fantastic opportunity to learn about local soldiers and families who were affected by the war.

Canada’s History stopped at the Bytown museum in Ottawa to learn about their new exhibit Ottawa Answers the Call: The Capital and the Great War.