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

Last updated: 2008 April 30.

1898 January 1 Lightship replaces whistling buoy at mouth of San Francisco Bay. [1] d'Annunzio's "Sogno d'un mattino di primavera" premieres in Rome. [1] January 3 James Wimshurst British designer/inventor (vacuum pump), dies at 70. [1] January 4 First installment of William Dean Howell's "Life and Letters" appears. [1] Frantisek Pivoda composer, dies at 73. [1] January 6 First telephone message from a submerged submarine, by Simon Lake. [1] January 11 Gaetano Capocci composer, dies at 86. [1] January 13 Emile Zola publishes his open letter (J'accuse) in defense of Captain Alfred Dreyfus in Paris. [1] January 14 Joe Darling hits the first six in Tests (out of the ground). [1] Reverend Charles L Dodgson better known as Lewis Carroll, dies at 66. [1] January 23 W A Remy composer, dies at 66. [1] January 28 Alexandru Flechtenmacher composer, dies at 74. [1] February 1 First auto insurance policy in US issued, by Travelers Insurance Company. [1] February 8 John Ames Sherman patents first envelope folding and gumming machine (Massachusetts). [1] February 11 Owen Smith of North Carolina, AME Zion minister, named minister to Liberia. [1] February 15 USS Maine blows up in Havana harbor, cause unknown-258 sailors die. [1] February 18 Frances Willard founder (Woman's Christian Temperance), dies at 58. [1] February 22 Black postmaster lynched, his wife and three daughters shot in Lake City South Carolina. [1] February 23 In France, Emile Zola is imprisoned for writing his "J'accuse" letter accusing government of anti-Semitism and wrongly jailing Alfred Dreyfus. [1] March 2 Australia complete a 4-1 series annihilation of England. [1] March 8 Richard Straus' "Don Quixote" premieres in Keulen. [1] March 16 Aubrey (Vincent) Beardsley English illustrator (Salome), dies at 23. [1] March 17 First practical submarine first submerges, New York City, New York (for 1 hour 40 minutes). [1] Blanche Kelso Bruce (Senator-Mississippi, 1875-1881), dies in Washington DC at 57. [1] March 19 Joao da Cruz Brazilian poet, dies at 26. [1] March 20 Luis Palés Matos Puerto Rican poet (Tuntún the paso y grifería), dies. [1] March 24 First automobile sold. [1] March 25 Intercollegiate Trapshooting Association formed in New York City, New York. [1] March 27 Sajjid Ahmad Chan co founder (Pakistan), dies at 80. [1] March 31 Edward Noyes Westcott US attorney/writer (David Harum), dies. [1] April 8 Battle of Atbara River, Anglo-Egyptian forces crush 6,000 Sudanese. [1] April 11 President William McKinley asks for Spanish-American War declaration. [1] April 12 Army transfers Yerba Buena Island in San Francisco Bay to Navy. [1] April 18 Gustave Moureau painter, dies. [1] April 20 US Assay Office in Deadwood South Dakota opens. [1] April 21 Louis Theodore Gouvy composer, dies at 78. [1] Spanish-American War begins. [1] April 22 First Spanish-American War action: USS Nashville, takes enemy ship. [1] US Congress passes Volunteer Army Act calling for a Volunteer Cavalry. [1] US President William McKinley orders blockade of Cuban harbors. [1] April 24 Spain declares war on US rejecting ultimatum to withdraw from Cuba. [1] US fleet under commodore Dewey sails from Hong Kong to Philippines. [1] April 25 US declares war on Spain over Cuba. [1] May 1 Alphonse Wauters Belgian historian, dies at 81. [1] George Dewey commands, "You may fire when you are ready, Gridley" as US route Spanish fleet at Manila. [1] May 3 Camp Merriman established at Presidio (San Francisco). [1] May 12 Louisiana adopts new constitution with "grandfather clause" designed to eliminate black voters. [1] May 19 Post Office authorizes use of postcards. [1] May 21 US Assay Office in Seattle Washington authorized. [1] May 22 Edward Bellamy writer, dies at 48. [1] May 23 First Philippine Expeditionary Troops sail from San Francisco. [1] May 25 First US troop transport to Manila leaves San Francisco. [1] May 26 San Francisco approves City Charter, allows Municipal ownership of utiliies. [1] May 27 Arthur Pinero's "Trelawney of the 'Wells'" premieres in London. [1] May 28 Edward Bellamy US author (Looking Backward), dies. [1] June 1 Trans-Mississippi International Exposition opens in Omaha. [1] June 7 Social Democracy of America party holds first national convention, Chic. [1] June 9 China leases Hong Kong's new territories to Britain for 99 years. [1] June 10 US Marines land in Cuba, during Spanish-American War. [1] June 13 Yukon Territory of Canada organized, Dawson chosen as capital. [1] June 18 Amusement pier opens, Atlantic City, New Jersey. [1] June 24 American troops, drive Spanish forces from La Guasimas Cuba. [1] June 29 In Near Islands, Alaska, a magnitude 7.6 earthquake occurs. [53] July 1 Teddy Roosevelt and his Rough Riders charge up San Juan Hill. [1] July 3 Joshua Slocum completes first solo circumnavigation of the globe. [1] US Navy defeats Spanish fleet in Santiago harbor, Cuba. [1] July 4 "La Bourgogne" collides with "Cromartyshire", 560 drown. [1] French liner La Bourgogne collides with barque Cromartyshire, 50 die. [1] US flag hoisted over Wake Island (Spanish-American War). [1] July 7 President McKinley signs resolution of annexation of Hawaiian Is. [1] US annexes Hawaii. [1] July 8 Philadelphia Phillies Red Donahue no-hits Boston Braves, 5-0. [1] July 13 Guglielmo Marconi patents the radio. [1] San Francisco Ferry Building at foot of Market Steet opens. [1] July 16 A Charlois discovers asteroid #437 Rhodia. [1] July 17 Spanish American War-Spaniads surrender to US at Santiago Cuba. [1] July 22 Belgica crew see first sunrise in 1600 hours-first to endure Antarct winter. [1] July 25 First US troops land and occupy Puerto Rice, at Guanica Bay. [1] July 27 Start of Sherlock Holmes "The Adventure of The Dancing Men" (BG). [1] July 28 Start of Sherlock Holmes "Adventure of the Retired Colourman"(BG). [1] August 12 Hawaii formally annexed to US. [1] Peace protocol ends Spanish-American War, signed. [1] August 16 Roller coaster patented. [1] August 28 Caleb Bradham renames his carbonated soft drink "Pepsi-Cola". [5] September 2 Lord Kitchener retakes Sudan for Britain. [1] September 15 National Afro-American Council forms in Rochester New York. [1] September 30 City of New York established. [1] October 1 Henry Huntington buys the Los Angeles Railway. [1] Jews are expelled from Kiev Russia. [1] October 18 American flag raised in Puerto Rico. [1] October 20 NC Mutual and Provident Insurance Company forms. [1] November 2 Theodor Herzl arrives in Jerusalem. [1] November 10 Race riot in Wilmington North Carolina (8 blacks killed). [1] November 22 The opera "Iris" is produced (Rome). [1] November 27 Side-wheeler "Portland" sinks off Cape Cod, 190 die. [1] December 10 Spanish-American War ends; US acquires Philippines, Puerto Rico and Guam. [1] December 12 First first-class game between New South Wales and Tasmania. [1] December 13 George Frederick Bristow composer, dies at 72. [1] December 18 Automobile speed record set-63 kph (39 mph). [1] December 21 Scientists Pierre and Marie Curie discover radium. [1] December 24 Eugeniusz Pankiewicz composer, dies at 41. [1] Herman Heijermans' "Ghetto" premieres in Amsterdam. [1] December 29 Georg Goltermann composer, dies at 74. [1] 1899 January 1 Cuba liberated from Spain by US (National Day) (US occupies till 1902). [1] January 5 Start of Sherlock Holmes adventure-Charles Augustus Milverton (BG). [1] January 10 Gerard Keller Dutch writer (Vlugmaren), dies at 69. [1] January 17 US takes possession of Wake Island in Pacific. [1] January 19 Anglo-Egyptian Sudan forms. [1] January 24 Belgium government of Vandenpeereboom forms. [1] Rubber heel patented by Humphrey O'Sullivan. [1] January 25 Alfredo d'Escragnolle French/Brazilian writer (Innocencia), dies. [1] January 28 American Social Science Association incorporated byUS Congress. [1] January 29 Alfred Sisley painter, dies. [1] Robert J Fruin Dutch historian (80-year war), dies at 75. [1] February 3 -16 degrees F (-27 degrees C), Minden Louisiana (state record). [1] February 4 Revolt against US occupation of Philippines. [1] February 6 Georg Leo earl von Caprivi German chancellor, dies at 67. [1] Spanish-American War ends, peace treaty ratified by Senate. [1] February 10 -39 degrees F (-39 degrees C), Milligan Ohio (state lowest temperature record). [1] US-Spain peace treaty signed by President McKinley; US gets Puerto Rico and Guam. [1] February 11 -15 degrees F (-26 degrees C), Washington DC (district record). [1] -61 degrees F (-52 degrees C), Montana (record low temperature). [1] George Morgan first English motorist to die in an motor accident, dies. [1] February 12 -47 degrees F (-44 degrees C), Camp Clarke NB (state record). [1] February 13 -16 degrees F (-27 degrees C), Minden Louisiana (state record). [1] -1 degrees F (-18 degrees C) New Orleans Louisiana. [1] -2 degrees F (-19 degrees C) Tallahassee Florida (state record). [1] February 14 US Congress begins using voting machines. [1] February 16 François Félix Faure President of France (1895-99), dies at 57. [1] February 18 80 degrees F, San Francisco California. [1] M Sophus Lie Norwegian mathematician, dies at 56. [1] San Francisco named as a port of dispatch for Army transports. [1] February 20 Illinois Tel and Tel granted franchise for Chicago freight tunnel system. [1] February 25 Paul Julius von Reuter founder of the news agency (Reuters), dies. [1] March 1 György earl Apponyi Hungarian Member of Parliament, dies at 90. [1] March 2 President McKinley signs bill creating Mount Rainier National Park (5th in US). [1] March 3 US Congress authorizes Lafayette silver dollar. [1] George Dewey becomes first in US with rank of Admiral of the Navy. [1] March 5 First performance of Edward MacDowell's second Concerto in D. [1] March 6 "Aspirin" patented by Felix Hoffmann. [1] March 14 Emile Erckmann French writer (Waterloo), dies at 76. [1] March 17 Windsor luxury hotel in New York City catches fire, 92 die. [1] March 18 Douglas Strutt Galton English engineer (rails, trains), dies at 76. [1] Phoebe, a moon of Saturn is discovered by Pickering. [1] Svetolik Rankovic Serbian writer (Crushed Ideals), dies at 35. [1] March 20 Martha M Place of Brooklyn New York, becomes first woman to die by electrocution. [1] March 21 British and French accord about West-Africa. [1] April 1 North Carolina Mutual opens doors for business. [1] April 11 Treaty of Paris is ratified, ending war; Spain cedes Puerto Rico to US. [1] April 16 West of Eureka, California, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake occurs. [53] April 17 Hans Balatka composer, dies at 74. [1] April 20 Édouard Pailleron, French attorney/comedian, dies at 64. [1] April 21 Heinrich Kiepert German cartographer/geographer, dies at 80. [1] April 24 Transvaal British Uitlanders ask Queen Victoria for aid. [1] May 9 Lawn mower patented. [1] May 15 Francisque Sarcey French writer (Le Temps), dies at 70. [1] May 17 Victoria and Albert Museum foundation laid England. [1] May 18 World Goodwill Day-26 nations meet in first Hague Peace Conference. [1] May 24 First auto repair shop opens (Boston). [1] May 25 33rd Belmont Stakes: R Clawson aboard Jean Beraud wins in 2:23. [1] Marie-Rosalie "Rosa" Bonheur French painter, dies at 68. [1] May 29 Frantz Jehin-Prume composer, dies at 60. [1] May 31 Bronx acquires Keltch Memorial Park. [1] Conference of Bloemfontein fails. [1] June 2 Black Americans observed day of fasting to protest lynchings. [1] June 9 Jim Jeffries knocks out Bob Fitzsimmons for the Heavyweight boxxing crown. [1] June 10 Improved Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks forms in Cincinnati. [1] June 29 Brazo River in Texas floods 12 miles wide causing $10 mil damage. [1] July 1 Gideon Society established to place bibles in hotels. [1] San Francisco City Hall turned over to city, after 29 years of building. [1] July 14 In Cook Inlet, Alaska, a magnitude 7.2 earthquake occurs. [53] July 17 NEC Corporation is organized as the first Japanese joint venture with foreign capital. [5] July 18 Horatio Alger Jr American clergyman and author, dies. [1] July 29 First motorcycle race, Manhattan Beach, New York. [1] August 15 Louisville's Henry Dowling struck out five times in a game. [1] September 4 In Near Cape Yakataga, Alaska, a magnitude 7.9 earthquake occurs. [53] September 6 Carnation processes its first can of evaporated milk. [1] September 10 In Yakutat Bay, Alaska, a magnitude 8.0 earthquake occurs. [1] [53] September 14 Henry Bliss becomes first automobile fatality (New York). [1] September 20 In Menderes Valley, Turkey (Ottoman Empire), a magnitude 6.9 earthquake occurs. 1,100 deaths. Severe damage to buildings, bridges, railroad and telegraph lines; many landslides. [53] September 23 In Cape Yakataga, Alaska, a magnitude 6.9 - 7.0 earthquake occurs. [53] October 17 Sutro railroad sold to Robert F Morrow for $215,000. [1] October 20 Columbia (US) beats Shamrock (England) in 11th America's Cup. [1] November 21 Garret Augustus Hobart 24th Vice President, died. [1] November 23 First jukebox (Palais Royal Hotel, San Francisco). [1] December 2 US and Germany agree to divide Samoa between them. [1] December 4 56thUS Congress (1899-1901) convenes. [1] Webb Hayes son of President Rutherford Hayes receives medal of honor. [1] December 7 Antoni Katski composer, dies at 82. [1] December 8 Natal: British fall/burst out belegerd Ladysmith. [1] December 10 First defeat of "Black Week" - Battle at Stormberg South Africa - Boers vs British army; nearly 3000 British troops killed. [1] Frank Wedekind's "Der Kammersang" premieres in Berlin. [1] December 11 Second defeat of "Black Week" - Battle of Magersfontein - Boer leader Cronjé vs General Methuen. [1] Andrew "Andy" Wauchope British general-major, dies in battle. [1] Lord Winchester British marquis/major, dies in battle. [1] December 12 First case of plague on Oahu HI. [1] December 15 Third defeat of "Black Week" - Battle at Colenso South Africa (Boers-British army). [1] December 17 Frederick "Freddy" Roberts son of British field marshal, dies in battle. [1] December 18 Fieldmarshal Lord Roberts appointed British supreme commander in South Africa. [1] John William Glover composer, dies at 84. [1] December 22 Dwight L Moody US evangelist (Student Volunteer Movement), dies. [1] December 23 Fieldmarshal Lord Roberts departs Southampton to South Africa. [1] Tentative Turkish and German treaty on construction of Baghdad railway. [1] December 25 Raphael Soyer artist (Depression scenes in New York City). [1] In Hemet-San Jacinto, California, a magnitude 6.4 earthquake occurs. [53] December 26 Mafeking: Bathe-Powells failed assault up fort Game Tree: 24 killed. [1] December 29 English fleet brings German postschip Bundesrath up. [1] December 30 James Paget English surgeon (disease of Paget), dies at 85. [1] December 31 Karl Millöcker Austrian conductor/composer (Try-out Kiss), dies at 57. [1]