History in the News: Assassins’ weapons on display

by Tom Bowers

A pistol and bomb used by the assassins of Franz Ferdinand are to go on display in Britain for the first time. The assassination of the Austrian Archduke and his wife in Sarajevo on June 28th, 1914 sparked the First World War. The items are part of the exhibition In Memoriam: Remembering the Great War at the Imperial War Museum, London, from September 30th.

In Memoriam, which runs until September 6th 2009, marks the 90th anniversary of the Armistice using evidence and memorabilia to highlight notable events in the conflict. Other artefacts on display include the Victoria Cross awarded to one of its youngest recipients, Jack Cornwell, who died at the Battle of Jutland; Wilfred Owen’s Military Cross; and a wreath given to David Lloyd George after the Treaty of Versailles.

For more info on the exhibition, just click here.