On This Day

What Happened in 1900

Historical Events

  • Feb 27 In London, the Trades Union Congress and the Independent Labour Party (formed in 1893) meet, results in a Labour Representative Committee and eventually the modern Labour Party in 1906
  • Mar 14 Dutch botanist Hugo de Vries rediscovers Gregor Mendel's laws of heredity and genetics
  • Mar 14 US currency goes on gold standard after Congress passes the Currency Act
  • Mar 18 Japan uses its influence over Korea to deny Russia's efforts to obtain a naval station at Korean Port of Masampo, the lead up to the Russo-Japanese war
  • Mar 20 US Secretary of State John Hay announces that all nations to whom he sent notes calling for an 'open door' policy in China have essentially accepted his stand
  • Apr 16 US Post Office issues 1st books of postage stamps
  • Jun 29 The Imperial Chinese Court issues what is essentially a declaration of war against foreigners in China blaming them for hostilities and giving license to the Boxers for even greater ferocity
  • Aug 15 The Boxer Rebellion: In China, the Empress, her family and court retainers flee while foreign troops move through Peking in an attempt to quell the rebellion
  • Sep 3 With a proclamation by General Lord Roberts, Britain annexes the Boer Republic of South Africa
  • Oct 4 In a final confrontation, around 4,000 Ashantis are defeated by the British in the Gold Coast (Ghana)
  • Oct 12 The first modern submarine is commissioned by the U.S. Navy as the USS Holland, named for its designer John Philip Holland
  • Oct 16 Great Britain and Germany sign the Anglo-German Treaty, agreeing to maintain territorial integrity of China and support 'open door' policy called for by US Secretary of State
  • More Historical Events

1900 in Music

1900 in Sport

  • May 20 II Summer (Modern) Olympic Games open in Paris (last 5 months)
  • Jul 11 Charlotte Cooper beats Hélène Prévost to become the 1st female Olympic tennis champion and the 1st individual female Olympic champion in any sport
  • Aug 8 1st International Lawn Tennis Challenge (precursor to Davis Cup) begins at Longwood Cricket Club in Massachusetts, won 3-0 by US over British Isles
  • Aug 9 1st International Lawn Tennis Challenge, Boston, MA: Dwight Davis & Holcombe Ward beat Ernest Black & Herbert Roper Barrett 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 to give US an unassailable 3-0 lead over British Isles
  • Oct 28 II Summer (Modern) Olympic Games, Paris, France: competition ends after 5 months; no opening or closing ceremonies conducted

Did You Know?

The first modern submarine designed and built by John Philip Holland is purchased by the U.S. Navy

On April 11, 1900

Famous People Born in 1900

More Famous Birthdays

Famous People in 1900

World Leaders in 1900

Would You Believe?

Count Bernard von Bulow becomes Chancellor of Germany, famous for first referring to Germany's need for 'place in the sun' and global empire

On October 18, 1900

Famous Weddings

  • Jul 1 Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand (36) weds countess Sophie Chotek (32) in Reichstadt, Bohemia
  • Aug 22 Oil tycoon Edward L. Doheny (44) weds Carrie Estelle Betzold in New Mexico Territory
  • Oct 2 Belgium crown prince Albert von Saksen-Coburg weds Elisabeth of Bayern

More Weddings & Divorces

Famous People Who Died in 1900

More Famous Deaths


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