In olden day Europe, Austria was essentially a frontline state, holding back invasions by the likes of Mongolians, Huns and Turks. Legend has it that coffee was introduced into Europe by the invading Turks and became popular first in Vienna, which still prides itself on its many grand cafés. Through the machinations of many mutually binding treaties, World War I was triggered leading to millions of deaths in the wet trenches that were common in war times then. Austria lost its empire and became a republic after that “war to end all wars,” with many newly independent countries coming into being in eastern and central Europe. Nazi Germany in turn annexed Austria, presaging World War II which again saw countless deaths.

Source: Manila Times October 31, 2017 16:07 UTC