Major Events of July 1900: Key Historical Moments from the Month

Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from July 1900 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of July 1900: Key Historical Moments from the Month

01 Jul 1900 Galveston Hurricane of 1900: The Galveston Hurricane was one of the deadliest natural disasters in United States history. On September 8, 1900, a powerful Category 4 hurricane struck Galveston, Texas, causing catastrophic damage and resulting in an estimated 6,000 to 8,000 fatalities. The storm surge completely devastated the coastal city, destroying buildings, infrastructure, and dramatically altering the region's landscape and future development.
02 Jul 1900 First Zeppelin Airship Flight: Count Ferdinand von Zeppelin successfully launched the LZ-1, the world's first rigid airship, marking a groundbreaking moment in aviation history. The innovative design demonstrated the potential for powered, controlled flight using lighter-than-air technology, which would later revolutionize transportation and military strategies.
03 Jul 1900 Amnesty Granted to Filipino Insurgents During Philippine-American War: On July 3, 1900, the military governor of the Philippines issued a significant decree offering amnesty to Filipino insurgents who had been fighting against American colonial control. This strategic political move was designed to reduce armed resistance and facilitate the transition of power following the Spanish-American War. By providing an opportunity for insurgents to lay down their arms without facing immediate prosecution, the United States aimed to pacify the local population and establish more cooperative governance in the newly acquired territory.
04 Jul 1900 Tragic Tacoma Trolley Car Disaster on Independence Day: On July 4, 1900, a devastating trolley car accident occurred in Tacoma, Washington, marking one of the most catastrophic transportation incidents in the city's early history. An overcrowded streetcar, carrying well over its safe passenger capacity of 100 people, was en route to the downtown Independence Day Parade when it suddenly lost traction. The overloaded vehicle dramatically derailed, plummeting approximately 100 feet into a steep ravine. The accident resulted in 43 confirmed fatalities and numerous severe injuries, shocking the local community and highlighting the dangerous transportation conditions of the early 20th century.
05 Jul 1900 Australian Commonwealth Constitution Act Passed: The Commonwealth of Australia Constitution Act was passed by the British Parliament, marking a significant milestone in Australia's path to nationhood. This legislative act formally established the framework for Australia's system of government and its transition from separate British colonies to a unified nation.
06 Jul 1900 Hawaii Becomes U.S. Territory: On July 6, 1900, the United States Congress officially established Hawaii as an incorporated territory, marking a significant milestone in the expansion of U.S. territorial holdings in the Pacific. This legislative action followed the annexation of Hawaii in 1898 and formalized the islands' political status within the United States, setting the stage for eventual statehood in 1959.
07 Jul 1900 Kid Nichols Reaches 300 Career Victories: On July 7, 1900, legendary Boston Beaneaters pitcher Kid Nichols achieved a remarkable milestone by securing his 300th career Major League Baseball victory. In a dominant performance, Nichols led his team to an impressive 11-4 win against the Chicago Orphans, solidifying his status as one of the most accomplished pitchers of the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
08 Jul 1900 DUPE - Galveston Hurricane: The devastating Galveston Hurricane of September 8, 1900, was one of the deadliest natural disasters in United States history. The hurricane caused catastrophic damage, resulting in an estimated 6,000 to 8,000 fatalities. This tragic event highlighted the vulnerability of coastal communities and prompted significant improvements in hurricane preparedness and urban planning.
09 Jul 1900 Formation of the Commonwealth of Australia: Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom grants royal assent to the Act of Federation, officially creating the Commonwealth of Australia and uniting the separate colonial territories under a single federal government structure. This pivotal moment marks the transition from individual British colonies to a unified nation with its own constitutional framework.
10 Jul 1900 Uneventful Day in 1900: While no major historical events were specifically documented for July 10, 1900, this date falls within an interesting period of global transition. The turn of the 20th century was marked by significant technological, political, and social transformations, including the Second Industrial Revolution, colonial expansions, and emerging global tensions that would eventually lead to World War I.
11 Jul 1900 First Woman Olympic Medalist: Charlotte Cooper makes history by becoming the first woman to win an Olympic medal at the 1900 Summer Olympics in Paris, a groundbreaking moment for women's participation in international sports.
12 Jul 1900 McKinley's Presidential Re-Nomination: On July 12, 1900, while vacationing in Canton, Ohio, U.S. President William McKinley was formally notified of his re-nomination. In his response speech, he notably avoided discussing the controversial issue of Trusts, showcasing his political acumen.
13 Jul 1900 First Governor-General of Australia Appointed: The Earl of Hopetoun, John Adrian Louis-Hope, was selected as the inaugural Governor-General of Australia. Having previously served as Governor of New South Wales from 1889 to 1895, he was chosen to represent the British Crown in the newly federated Commonwealth of Australia.
14 Jul 1900 First Modern Olympic Games Open in Athens: The inaugural modern Olympic Games commence in Athens, Greece, marking a historic revival of the ancient Greek athletic tradition. This landmark event, organized by Baron Pierre de Coubertin, brings together international athletes to compete in various sporting disciplines, symbolizing global unity and athletic excellence.
15 Jul 1900 Tchou-kia-ho Siege and Massacre: During the Boxer Rebellion, the village of Tchou-kia-ho (Zhujiahe) in Hebei Province was besieged by Boxers and Imperial soldiers. The walled village had been a sanctuary for approximately 3,000 Chinese Christians since May. After a three-day siege, the village was overrun, resulting in a devastating massacre. Notable defenders like Peter Zhu Rixing and Mary Zhu Wu would later be recognized for their courage, with some eventually canonized as martyrs.
16 Jul 1900 Vladimir Lenin Begins Exile in Munich: Following his return from Siberian exile, Vladimir Lenin departed Russia for Munich, Germany, initiating a five-year period of self-imposed international exile. This period was crucial for Lenin's political development, during which he continued to write revolutionary literature and organize Bolshevik networks across Europe.
17 Jul 1900 Mount Adatara Volcanic Disaster in Japan: On July 17, 1900, Mount Adatara, a volcano located in Fukushima Prefecture, Japan, erupted catastrophically, resulting in the tragic death of 72 workers who were excavating sulfur on the mountain's southwestern slope. The sudden and violent eruption highlights the dangerous conditions faced by workers in early 20th-century industrial mining operations in volcanic regions.
18 Jul 1900 Paris Métro Inaugural Line Opens: On July 18, 1900, Paris celebrated a significant milestone in urban transportation with the inauguration of its first underground subway line. The inaugural route stretched from Porte de Vincennes in the east to Porte Maillot in the west, marking the beginning of a revolutionary public transit system that would transform urban mobility in the French capital. This event was part of the broader modernization efforts during the Belle Époque period, coinciding with the 1900 Paris World Exposition, which showcased technological innovation and urban progress.
19 Jul 1900 Paris Métro Inaugural Line Opens: On July 19, 1900, during the World's Fair, the first line of the Paris Métro was officially inaugurated, marking a significant milestone in urban public transportation. This groundbreaking transit system would revolutionize urban mobility in Paris, connecting different parts of the city and setting a standard for metropolitan transportation worldwide.
20 Jul 1900 Paris Métro Inaugural Line Opens: On July 20, 1900, Paris celebrated a significant milestone in urban transportation with the inauguration of its first metropolitan subway line. Running an east-west route from Porte de Vincennes to Porte Maillot, this groundbreaking underground transit system marked the beginning of a revolutionary urban mobility network that would transform the city's infrastructure and daily life. The Paris Métro would soon become a model for public transportation systems worldwide, symbolizing the technological and urban planning innovations of the early 20th century.
21 Jul 1900 Martyrdom of Alberic Crescitelli in China: Alberic Crescitelli, an Italian Catholic missionary, was executed by Boxer rebels during the Boxer Rebellion in China. His martyrdom was a significant moment in the religious conflicts of the time. Later recognized for his sacrifice, Crescitelli was beatified as one of the Martyr Saints of China, symbolizing the challenges faced by Christian missionaries in late 19th-century China.
22 Jul 1900 Hawaii Becomes U.S. Incorporated Territory: On July 22, 1900, the United States Congress officially established Hawaii as an incorporated territory, marking a significant milestone in the expansion of American territorial control in the Pacific. This legislative action followed the annexation of Hawaii in 1898 and represented a crucial step in transforming the Hawaiian Islands from an independent kingdom to a formal part of the United States. The territorial status granted Hawaii a more structured governance framework and began the process of deeper political and cultural integration with the mainland United States.
23 Jul 1900 First Pan-African Congress in London: The Pan-African Congress convened in London, marking a significant milestone in the early Pan-African movement. This gathering brought together Black intellectuals and leaders from various parts of the world to discuss racial equality, colonial oppression, and the rights of African and African diaspora populations.
24 Jul 1900 New Orleans Race Riot of 1900: A violent racial conflict erupted in New Orleans, Louisiana, resulting in the killing of two white police officers. This incident was part of a broader pattern of racial tensions and violence in the post-Reconstruction era, highlighting the deep-seated racial animosities and systemic racism prevalent in the Southern United States at the turn of the 20th century.
25 Jul 1900 Robert Charles Riots in New Orleans: The Robert Charles Riots were a violent racial conflict that erupted in New Orleans, Louisiana, where white mobs systematically attacked African American residents following a series of confrontations between Robert Charles, a Black man, and local law enforcement. The riots represented a brutal manifestation of racial tensions and systemic racism in the post-Reconstruction era Southern United States, resulting in multiple deaths and widespread property destruction.
26 Jul 1900 Establishment of the Bureau of Investigation: On July 26, 1900, the United States Department of Justice formally established the Bureau of Investigation (BOI), which would later evolve into the renowned Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI). This marked a significant milestone in the development of federal law enforcement capabilities in the United States. The BOI was initially created to investigate specific types of federal crimes and provide investigative support across different jurisdictions, laying the groundwork for modern federal criminal investigation techniques.
27 Jul 1900 Kaiser Wilhelm's Inflammatory 'Hun Speech' Before China Expedition: On July 27, 1900, Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany delivered a provocative and historically significant speech at Bremerhaven as he was sending German troops to suppress the Boxer Rebellion in China. In his notorious address, he urged German soldiers to act with such brutality that the mere mention of German power would strike fear into the hearts of their enemies for generations. His exact words encouraged troops to be as merciless as the Huns of antiquity, famously stating that no quarter should be given and that they should create such terror that the 'world will forever remember' their actions. This speech became a notorious example of imperial rhetoric and aggressive colonial mentality, significantly influencing international perceptions of German military conduct.
28 Jul 1900 Einstein Graduates from ETH Zürich: Albert Einstein successfully completed his diploma at the prestigious Eidgenössische Technische Hochschule (ETH) in Zürich, Switzerland. This academic milestone marked an important step in the young physicist's journey, setting the stage for his groundbreaking scientific contributions that would fundamentally reshape our understanding of physics and the universe.
29 Jul 1900 Assassination of King Umberto I of Italy: On July 29, 1900, King Umberto I of Italy was assassinated by Gaetano Bresci, an Italian-American anarchist, in Monza. The assassination was a politically motivated act driven by anarchist ideology and opposition to the monarchy's policies. Bresci targeted the king in retaliation for the brutal suppression of workers during riots in Milan in 1898.
30 Jul 1900 Uneventful Day in Global History: While no specific major historical events were recorded for July 30, 1900, this date falls within the broader context of the Second Industrial Revolution and the early years of the 20th century. During this period, significant technological, economic, and social transformations were occurring globally, particularly in Europe and the United States.
31 Jul 1900 Boer Generals Surrender in Brandwater Basin: During the Second Boer War, Boer Generals Prinsloo and Roux surrendered to British forces in the strategically significant Brandwater Basin region of South Africa. This surrender represented a critical moment in the British campaign to subdue Boer resistance and marked a substantial territorial and strategic victory for the British Empire.