References are numbered in [brackets], which are listed here. A number after the dot gives the page in the source.

Last updated: 2008 June 28.

1900 January 1 First date in John dos Passos' USA trilogy (The 42nd Parallel). [1] British protectorates of Northern and Southern Nigeria established. [1] Compulsory education in Netherlands goes into effect. [1] January 2 E Verlinger begins manufacturing 7-inch single-sided records (Montréal). [1] Gustave Charpentiers opera "Louise" premieres in Paris. [1] January 3 Edwin George Monk composer, dies at age 80. [1] Gerhart Hauptmanns "Schluck und Jau" premieres in Berlin. [1] Perihelion Passage. [1] January 6 Boers attack at Ladysmith, about 1,000 killed or injured. [1] Maurice Ravel's "Albaradode Gracioso" premieres in Paris. [1] January 10 Lord Roberts and Lord Kitchener reach Capetown. [1] January 12 Freeland Colony founded in US. [1] January 14 Giacomo Puccini's opera "Tosca" premieres in Rome. [1] January 18 Jan Blockx's "Tÿl Uilenspiegel" premieres in Brussels. [1] January 20 John Ruskin English writer/critic (Dearest Mama Talbot), dies of influenza at age 81. [1] R D Blackmore English novelist (Lorna Doone), dies at age 74. [1] Richard D Blackmore English novelist (Lorna Doone), dies at age 74. [1] January 24 Battle at Tugela-Spionkop, South Africa (Boers vs British army). [1] January 26 Henrik Ibsen's "Naar vi Dode Vaaguer" premieres in Stuttgart. [1] January 27 Social Democrat Party of America (Debs' party) holds first convention. [1] January 29 Boers under Joubert beat English at Spionkop Natal, 2,000 killed. [1] January 30 Vittorio Bersezio [Carlo Nugelli], Italian playwright, dies at age 71. [1] February 2 Gustave Charpentiers opera "Louise" premieres in Paris. [1] February 3 Ottokar Eugen Novacek composer, dies at age 33. [1] February 5 The United States and the United Kingdom signed a treaty for Panama Canal. [5] British troops under General Buller occupy Vaal Krantz, Natal. [1] February 6 Battle at Vaalkrans, South Africa (Boers vs British army). [1] February 7 British troops vacate Vaal Krantz, Natal. [1] Labour Party forms in England. [1] February 14 Date of events in movie "Picnic at Hanging Rock". [1] February 15 General French relieves Kimberley/Cecil Rhodes. [1] February 16 First Chinese daily newspaper in US publishes first issue (Chung Sai Yat Po-San Francisco). [1] George Labram US mine engineer in South Africa, dies in battle. [1] February 18 Battle at Paardeberg, 1,270 British killed/injured. [1] British troops occupy Monte Christo Natal. [1] February 19 British troops occupy Hlangwane Natal. [1] February 22 Battle at Wynne's Hill, South Africa (Boers vs British army). [1] Hawaii became a US territory. [1] February 23 Battle at Hart's Hill, South Africa (Boers vs British army). [1] Steamer "Rio de Janeiro" sinks in San Francisco Bay. [1] William Butterfield architect of the Gothic revival, dies. [1] February 27 Battle at Pietershoogte; Boer General Cronjé surrenders to English in Pardenberg, South Africa. [1] Conference in London calls for creation of a British labor party. [1] February 28 General Buller's troops relieve Ladysmith Natal. [1] March 3 US Steel Corporation organizes. [1] March 5 American Hall of Fame is founded. [1] March 6 Gottlieb Daimler designed first motorcycle, dies at age 65. [1] March 7 Battle at Poplar Grove South Africa, President Kruger flees. [1] March 10 Battle at Driefontein, South Africa (Boers vs British army). [1] Johann Peter Emilius Hartmann composer, dies at age 94. [1] March 12 President Steyn of Orange-Free state flees from Bloemfontein. [1] March 13 British troops occupy Bloemfontein, Orange-Free state. [1] March 14 Hugo de Vries rediscovers Mendel's laws of genetics. [1] US currency goes on gold standard. [1] March 16 Sir Arthur Evans finds old city of Knossus. [1] March 18 António Nobre Portuguese poet (Só [Lonely]), dies at age 32. [1] March 25 US Socialist Party is formed at Indianapolis. [1] March 26 First edition The (Free) People (Netherlands, probably Amsterdam). [1] Isaac Mayer Wise rabbi/found American Hebrew Congregations, dies at age 80. [1] March 27 Pieter J Joubert [Smart Piet] South African General, dies at age 69. [1] March 30 Dutch second Chamber accepts Compulsory education law. [1] March 31 Brigadier-General Broadwoods troops fall into guerrilla hands. [1] April 1 First edition of Dutch newspaper "The People". [1] April 2 First edition of The Volk published (Amsterdam). [1] April 4 Assassination attempt on prince of Wales/king Edward VII. [1] British garrison of Reddersberg surrenders to Boer General De Wet. [1] Edward VII King, assassinated. [1] April 5 Attempted assassination of Prince of Wales in Brussels, fails. [1] Comte de Villebois-Marevil French/South African General, dies in battle. [1] April 11 US Navy's first submarine made its debut. [1] April 14 President Loubet opens International Fairs in Paris France. [1] Veteran's Hospital at Fort Miley is established. [1] April 15 An early 50 mile race is won by an electric car in over two hours. [1] International Exposition opens in Paris France. [1] April 16 US Post Office issues first books of postage stamps. [1] April 17 Seven high chiefs of American Samoa sign Instrument of Cession. [1] April 19 Highest scoring opening game, Philadelphia Phillies beat Braves 19-17 in 10. [1] Ivan K Aïvazovski Russian painter (harbor scenes), dies at age 82. [1] April 20 Birth of Kees Verwey painter/water colors painter/cartoonist. [1] Mabel Mercer popular British singer, dies. [1] April 21 Heinrich Vogl composer, dies at age 55. [1] April 23 First known occurrence of word "hillbillie" (New York Journal). [1] April 24 George J D Campbell British minister of Indies (1868-74, 80-85), dies at age 76. [1] Passing of Andrew Halliday, cable car pioneer. [1] April 26 Birth of Charles Richter Ohio, Earthquakes seismologist (Richter scale). [1] April 30 John Luther [Casey] Jones dies in Cannonball Express train wreck. [1] USA annexes Hawaii. [1] May 1 Mihály von Munkácsy [Michael von Lieb], German painter, dies at age 56. [1] Premature blast collapses mine tunnel killing 200 at Scofield UT. [1] May 2 George Bernard Shaws "You Never Can Tell" premieres in London. [1] May 5 "The Billboard" began weekly publication. [1] May 7 Richard Storrs Willis composer, dies at age 81. [1] May 8 250 grave robbers shot to death. [1] May 12 Boer attack under Sarel Eloff, about 70 killed. [1] Lord Roberts' troops occupies Crown city. [1] Wilhelm Steinitz Prague, chess champion (1866-1894). [1] May 17 British troops relieve Mafeking (Cape Colony). [1] May 18 Britain proclaims protectorate over kingdom of Tonga. [1] May 19 Great Britain annexes Tonga archipelago. [1] May 20 Gustav Heinrich Graben-Hoffman composer, dies at age 80. [1] May 22 Associated Press organizes in New York City as non-profit news cooperative. [1] Edwin S Votey patents pneumatic piano player. [1] May 23 Associated Press News Service forms in New York. [1] May 24 Britain annexes Orange Free State. [1] May 26 British troops under Ian Hamilton attack the Vaal in South Africa. [1] May 27 Lord Roberts' army fights the Vaal in South Africa. [1] May 28 Britain annexes Orange Free State (as Orange River Colony). [1] Solar eclipse occurs. [1] May 29 Trademark "Escalator" registered by Otis Elevator Co. [1] May 31 British troops under Lord Roberts occupy Johannesburg. [1] James Loudon Governor-General of Netherlands-Indies (1871-75), dies at age 75. [1] John Power Irish baronet/whiskey manufacturer, dies in battle. [1] Piet de Law captures Lieutenant-Colonel Spragges Irish Yeomanry. [1] US troops arrive in Peking, help put down Boxer Rebellion. [1] June 4 M Wolf and A Schwassmann discovers asteroid #456 Abnoba. [1] June 12 German Navy Law calls for massive increase in sea power. [1] June 13 China's Boxer Rebellion against foreigners and Christians. [1] June 14 Hawaiian Republic becomes the US Territory of Hawaii. [1] June 26 Dr Walter Reed begins research that beats Yellow Fever. [1] June 30 Four German liners burn at Hobokon Docks, New Jersey, 326 die. [1] July 2 Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin first airship LZ-1, flies. [1] July 12 114 degrees F (46 degrees C), Basin, Wyoming (state record). [1] July 13 Philadelphia Phillies beat Pittsburgh 23-8. [1] July 21 Pope Leo XIII encyclical to the Greek-Melkite rite. [1] July 23 Pan-African Congress meets in London. [1] July 24 Race riot in New Orleans, two white policemen killed. [1] July 28 Hamburger created by Louis Lassing in Connecticut. [1] July 29 Umberto I Italian king assassinated by anarchist Gaetano Bresci. [1] August 3 Firestone Tire & Rubber Company is founded. [5] August 5 James Augustine Healy black Roman Catholic bishop, dies at age 80. [1] August 12 Wilhelm Steinitz Prague, Chess champion (1866-1894). [1] August 14 International forces including US Marines enter Beijing to put down Boxer Rebellion, which was aimed at ridding China of foreigners. [1] August 23 National Negro Business League organizes (Boston). [1] August 25 Friedrich Nietzsche philosopher, dies in Weimar, Germany. [1] September 3 British annex Natal (South Africa). [1] September 5 France proclaims a protectorate over Chad. [1] September 8 6,000 killed when a hurricane and tidal wave destroys Galveston, Texas, most deadly in US history. [1] October 3 Birth of Jay Irving New York City, cartoonist (Draw Me a Laugh). [1] October 7 The term "orienteering" is first used for an event. [1] October 25 England annexes Transvaal. [1] November 3 First national automobile show opens at Madison Square Garden (New York City). [1] November 6 President William McKinley (Republican) re-elected, beating William Jennings Bryan. [1] November 8 Theodore Dreiser's novel "Sister Carrie" is published. [1] November 20 Birth of Chester Gould cartoonist (gave Dick Tracy a job). [1] November 30 Oscar Wilde, Irish author, dies in Paris. [1] [5] December 1 South African President Paul Kruger visits Flanders. [1] December 2 South African President Paul Kruger arrives in Germany. [1] December 7 Max Planck discovers the law of black body emission in his house just outside Berlin. [5] December 8 Henry Russell composer, dies at age 87. [1] December 9 Dutch President Paul Kruger and Queen Wilhelmina have a triumphant procession. [1] December 12 National Negro Anthem, "Lift Every Voice and Sing" is composed. [1] December 13 Battle at Nooitgedacht: Generals The la Rey/Smuts beat Britten. [1] December 14 Jean B A Kessler director of oil on Dutch Indies, dies at age 46. [1] December 16 Boer army under General Kritzinger take Cape colony. [1] December 17 First prize of 100,000 francs offered for communications with extraterrestrials. Martians excluded-considered too easy. [1] New Ellis Island Immigration station completed costing $1.5 million. [1] December 20 Giacobini discovers a comet (will be first comet visited by spacecraft). [1] December 21 Gerhart Hauptmann's "Michael Kramer" premieres in Berlin. [1] December 24 Herman Heijermans' "Hope of Blessing" premieres in Amsterdam. [1] December 25 Arthur Schnitzlers "Leutnant Gustl" forbidden in Germany. [1] December 27 Carrie Nation's first public smashing of a bar (Hotel Carry Annex Bar, Wichita Kansas). [1] December 29 General Viljoen surprise attack British garrison to Helvetia. [1] 1901 January 1 Australia declares independence from federation of United Kingdom colonies. [1] Ignatius Donnelly US attorney/Lieutenant-Governor (Minnesota), dies at age 69. [1] January 9 Birth of Chic Young cartoonist (Blondie). [1] January 10 Oil discovered at Spindletop claim near Beaumont, Texas. [1] January 11 Vasily Sergeyevich Kalinnikov composer, dies at age 34. [1] January 13 Carlo Angeloni composer, dies at age 66. [1] January 14 Charles Hermite French mathematician (e is transcendent), dies at age 78. [1] Mandell Creighton English bishop/historian, dies at age 57. [1] Victor Balaguer Catalaans historian/politician/author, dies at age 76. [1] January 16 Arnold Böcklin Swiss painter, dies at age 73. [1] Hiram Revels dies at age 73. [1] January 17 Jacob G Agarah Swedish algologist, dies at age 87. [1] January 18 Pope Leo XIII publishes encyclical Graves De Communi Re. [1] January 21 Clyde Fitch's "Climbers" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] January 22 After 63 years England stops sale of Queen Victoria postage stamps series and begins King Edward VII series. [1] Victoria [Alexandrine], Britain's Queen (1837-1901), dies at age 81. [1] January 24 Emily Hobhouse views Lord Kitchener's concentration camp at Bloemfontein. [1] Simon Hassler composer, dies at age 68. [1] January 27 Giuseppe Verdi Italian composer (Rigoletto/Traviata/Aïda), dies in Milano at age 87. [1] January 31 Boer General John Smuts and De la Rey conqueror Mud river Transvaal. [1] Chekhov's "Three Sisters" opens at the Moscow Art Theater. [1] February 2 Female Army Nurse Corps established as a permanent organization. [1] February 3 Dutch troops under General Van Heutsz conquer Batu Ilië on Sumatra. [1] February 5 Loop-the-loop centrifugal railroad (roller coaster) patented by Ed Prescot. [1] Pierpont Morgan forms US Steel Corp. [1] February 7 Benjamin Edward Woolf composer, dies at age 64. [1] Queen Wilhelmina marries Prince Heinrich von Mecklenburg-Schwerin. [1] February 11 Milan I king of Serbia, dies at age 56. [1] February 12 Dutch Penitentiary children's law proclaimed. [1] Ramón de Campoamor bon Campoosorio Spanish poet (Colón), dies at age 83. [1] February 14 Edward John Hopkins composer, dies at age 82. [1] February 17 Ethelbert Woodbridge Nevin composer, dies at age 38. [1] February 18 H Cecil Booth patented a dust removing suction cleaner. [1] February 20 First territorial legislature of Hawaii convenes. [1] February 25 George Cohan's musical "Governor's Son" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] Jose Rogel composer, dies at age 71. [1] US Steel Corp organizes under directorship of J P Morgan. [1] February 26 Chi-hsui during Boxer Rebellion in China, beheaded. [1] March 1 Bernhard Erdmannsdörffer German historian (Mirabeau), dies at age 68. [1] March 2 Hawaii's first telegraph company opens. [1] March 3 US Congress creates National Bureau of Standards, in Department of Commerce. [1] March 4 First advanced copy of inaugural speech (Jefferson-National Intelligencer). [1] President William McKinley inaugurated for second term as President. [1] Term of George H White, last of post-Reconstruction congressmen, ends. [1] March 8 Karl Freiherr von Stumm-Halberg German politician, dies at age 64. [1] Peter Benoit Flemish composer/conductor (High Mass), dies at age 66. [1] March 10 Vasily Georgiyevich Wrangell composer, dies at age 38. [1] March 13 Benjamin Harrison 23rd President (1889-1893), dies in Indianapolis at age 67. [1] March 14 First performance of Anton Bruckner's 6th Symphony in A. [1] March 15 Horse racing is banned in San Francisco, last race March 16th. [1] March 17 Franz Melde German physicist (Melde Test), dies at age 69. [1] Free thinking-Democratic Union forms in Netherlands. [1] March 23 Dame Nellie Melba, reveals secret of her now famous toast. [1] March 25 55 die as Rock Island train derailed near Marshalltown IA. [1] March 31 John Stainer composer, dies at age 60. [1] April 1 François M Raoult Fren physicist/chemist (Law of Raoult), dies at age 70. [1] April 3 Richard D'Oyly Carte promotor (Gilbert and Sullivan operas), dies. [1] April 7 SDAP demands General voting right/abolishing First Chamber. [1] April 11 Ivar Christian Hallstrom composer, dies at age 74. [1] April 15 First British motorized burial. [1] April 22 William Stubbs historian/bishop, dies. [1] April 25 New York becomes first U.S. state requiring automobile license plates ($1 fee). [1] [5] April 27 Richard Redhead composer, dies at age 81. [1] April 29 Anti semitic riot in Budapest. [1] May 1 Pan-American Exposition opens in Buffalo. [1] May 3 Fire destroyed 1,700 buildings in Jacksonville Florida. [1] May 9 Australia opens its first parliament in Melbourne. [1] May 12 President McKinley visits San Francisco. [1] May 19 Marthinus Wessels Pretorius first President Republic South Africa, dies at age 81. [1] May 23 Ottawa Mint Act receives Royal Assent. [1] US captures leader of Philippine rebels, Emilio Aguinaldo. [1] May 28 Laws against phosphor matches enacted (inhibition white phosphorous). [1] May 30 Hall of Fame for Great American on NYU campus dedicated. [1] June 7 M Wolf discovers asteroid #471 Papagena. [1] June 11 Cook Islands annexed and proclaimed part of New Zealand. [1] June 17 The American College Board introduces its first standardized test, the forerunner to the SAT. [5] June 24 The first exhibition of Pablo Picasso's work opens. [5] Jewish National Fund starts. [1] July 11 L Carnera discovers asteroid #472 Roma. [1] August 1 Burial within San Francisco City limits prohibited. [1] August 14 Gustave Whitehead claims to have achieved the first powered flight, in his Number 21. [5] August 15 Arch Rock, danger to Bay shipping, blasted with 30 tons of nitro. [1] August 25 Clara Maass army nurse sacrificied her life at age 25 to prove that. [1] September 2 Vice President Theodore Roosevelt advises, "Speak softly and carry a big stick". [1] September 6 President William McKinley assassinated by Leon Czologosz in Buffalo, New York. [1] September 12 Arabs attack Gedara Palestine. [1] September 14 US President William McKinley dies in Buffalo, New York, of gunshot wounds inflicted. [1] [5] October 19 Santos-Dumont proves airship maneuverable by circling Eiffel Tower. [1] October 24 First woman to go over Niagara Falls in a barrel (Anna Taylor). [1] October 29 Leon Czolcosz assassin of President McKinley, is executed. [1] November 16 Three autos race on Ocean Parkway, Brooklyn, fastest speed achieved by Henry Fournier who drives a mile in 51 4/5 seconds. [1] November 20 The opera "Grisélidis" is produced (Paris). [1] November 27 Army War College established in Washington DC. [1] November 29 East 182nd Street in the Bronx is paved and opened. [1] December 2 King Camp Gillette begins selling safety razor blades. [1] December 4 Anne Russell's "Girl and The Judge" premieres in New York City, New York. [1] December 10 First Nobel Peace Prizes (to Jean Henri Dunant, Frederic Passy). [1] [7] December 11 Marconi sends first transatlantic radio signal, Cornwall to Newfoundland. [1] December 12 Marconi receives first transatlantic radio signal, England to US. [1] December 15 Elias Alvares Lobo composer, dies at age 67. [1] December 25 Battle at Tweefontein Orange-Free state: Boers surprise attack British. [1]