In which year did World War I begin?

World War I began in 1914 following the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria on June 28. This event set off a chain of political tensions and alliances that ultimately led to the war's outbreak on July 28, 1914. Mobilizations and declarations of war followed rapidly, showcasing how intertwined politics and military strategies were at the time. The significance of this year marks the start of one of the deadliest conflicts in history, which lasted until 1918, impacting many nations around the world. Other years mentioned in the options do not correspond to the war's commencement; for example, 1912 does not align with any specific events leading to the war, and 1916 and 1918 fall within the duration of the conflict rather than its beginning. Thus, 1914 is the correct year identifying the onset of World War I.