Oggi sono 107 anni dalla fine della Prima Guerra Mondiale

I lost a family member in that war.. he was an uncle of my late grandmother. I have a photograph of him at home, with a message written on the back, but the handwriting is almost impossible to read. All I really know is that he died there, and not even my grandmother had the chance to meet him.

It was a senseless war, one that should have marked the end of all wars in Europe. And the truth is, I don’t even know who was to blame in a way, everyone was. My country had just come out of a monarchical regime, yet it still fought to preserve its colonial empire. I think that was the only reason we became involved.

One of the descendants of the royal family aligned with the *Miguelista* side the faction that lost the Portuguese Civil War in the 19th century fought in the war on the Austrian side. But when Portugal entered the conflict, he abandoned the Austrian army, where he was serving as an officer.

That war marked the end of Europe’s monarchies with the exception of a few that managed to adapt to the modern world. Even today, I believe it was ultimately a great war between monarchies.

Not really an End, more like a break due to the fatigue on all sides in Europe before getting back to it 15 years latter with the build up to a 2nd Round starting in 1935/36.

It could have been avoided but commercial interests and greed got in the way.

Easier said when we have to knowledge.