On June 28, 1914, Archduke Ferdinand was assassinated by a Serb nationalist in Sarajevo. The assassination produced a local war that rapidly turned into a world war involving 32 countries. It was the first modern war and proved to be costly and bitter. In just over 4 years and 3 months, more than 37 million died in the land war. Civilian deaths amounted to over 10 million. The conflict ended in victory for the Allies and defeat for the Central Powers.