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Topic: THIS DATE IN HISTORY

WW I Ends: September 25, 1939

September 24, 2009

Having to wage war on both its eastern and western fronts was the undoing of Germany in the two world wars. But talk about biting off more than you can chew. Did you know that Germany actually began World War II before ending its involvement in World War I?

It’s true. In August 1914, Austria declared war on Serbia. Russia declared war on Austria. Germany declared war on Russia. France declared war on Germany. Germany invaded Belgium. England declared war on Germany. Deep breath, pause.

While all of this war-declaring was taking place, the tiny principality of Andorra chose sides. Given its proximity to France, it wisely chose to declare war on Germany.

World War I raged for four years. But Andorra stayed out of the fighting. So, when the warring parties got together to sign the final Treaty of Versailles in 1919, Andorra wasn’t invited. Thus, Andorra and Germany remained in a state of war.

Of course, no shots were actually fired. But the legal state of war between Germany and Andorra was still in existence when Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939. Soon Germany was once more at war with England and France.

The outbreak of World War II seemed like a fitting occasion for Germany to end its involvement in World War I. So on this date in 1939, Germany and Andorra signed a peace treaty officially ending the war between them declared 25 years earlier. Germany would eventually end up having to wage war on two fronts again. But at least it didn’t have to fight two world wars at the same time.

Comments Story Comments (%)

    Kudos to Mr. Demby for this historical tidbit. Things like this brighten and otherwise dull day - and give us something tangible to share on Facebook.

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