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Major Events of June 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 June 1900 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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

  • 01 Jun 1900 United States Census of 1900: The United States Census Bureau conducts its decennial population count, revealing a total population of 76,212,168, representing a substantial 21% increase from the 1890 census and reflecting the nation's rapid demographic growth during the late 19th century.
  • 02 Jun 1900 German Navy Expansion Approved: The German Reichstag voted 201–103 to approve a significant expansion of the Imperial German Navy, effectively doubling the number of ships from 48 to 96. This decision reflected Germany's growing naval ambitions and increasing military preparedness in the early 20th century, which would later contribute to tensions leading to World War I.
  • 03 Jun 1900 Boxer Rebellion: Railroad Between Beijing and Tianjin Disrupted: Boxer rebels cut the railroad line connecting Beijing and Tianjin, escalating tensions during the Boxer Rebellion. This act of sabotage was part of a broader anti-foreign and anti-colonial movement in China, symbolizing the resistance against Western imperial influence and technological infrastructure.
  • 04 Jun 1900 Discovery of Asteroid 456 Abnoba: German astronomers Max Wolf and Arnold Schwassmann discovered asteroid 456 Abnoba during their systematic survey of the night sky. This asteroid is part of the main asteroid belt located between Mars and Jupiter, contributing to our understanding of solar system formation and composition.
  • 05 Jun 1900 British Capture of Pretoria during Second Boer War: On June 5, 1900, British forces successfully captured Pretoria, the capital of the Transvaal Republic, during the Second Boer War. This significant military achievement marked a crucial turning point in the conflict between British imperial forces and the Boer republics of South Africa. The capture of Pretoria represented a major strategic victory for the British, effectively undermining the Boer resistance and demonstrating the overwhelming military superiority of the British Empire.
  • 06 Jun 1900 Alaska Territorial Government Established: The United States Congress enacted a comprehensive civil and judicial code for Alaska, setting the capital at Juneau and creating a structured territorial government. This legislation marked a significant step in Alaska's administrative development and integration into the United States prior to its statehood.
  • 07 Jun 1900 Establishment of American Red Cross and Alaska Territorial Government: On this significant day, U.S. President William McKinley signed the federal charter for the American Red Cross, establishing a crucial humanitarian organization. Simultaneously, the United States Congress enacted a comprehensive civil and judicial code for Alaska, designating Juneau as the territorial capital and creating a structured territorial government.
  • 08 Jun 1900 Significant Day in International Relations and Humanitarian Efforts: U.S. President William McKinley signed the federal charter for the American Red Cross, establishing a critical humanitarian organization. Meanwhile, international tensions were high in China, with Allied forces rescuing foreigners in Tianjin during the Boxer Rebellion. An unfortunate cultural loss occurred with the destruction of an ancient Chinese library by fire.
  • 09 Jun 1900 Eight-Nation Alliance Begins Invasion of China: At 3:25 PM on June 9, 1900, ships from the Eight-Nation Alliance commenced bombardment of the Taku Forts in China, initiating a significant military intervention during the Boxer Rebellion. This marked the beginning of a complex international military operation against Chinese resistance.
  • 10 Jun 1900 Multinational Force Deploys to Beijing During Boxer Rebellion: In response to the escalating Boxer Rebellion, a multinational military force comprising over 2,000 troops from seven countries—the United Kingdom, the United States, France, Germany, Italy, Russia, and Japan—initiated a strategic deployment to Beijing. The troops originally traveled by train from Tianjin, but were forced to halt at Langfang due to significant rail infrastructure damage. This interruption required the multinational force to complete the remaining 110-mile (180 km) journey on foot, highlighting the challenging conditions and logistical complexities of the military intervention. The Boxer Rebellion represented a critical moment of international tension in China, where foreign powers collaborated to suppress an anti-colonial and anti-Christian indigenous uprising that threatened diplomatic and commercial interests in the region.
  • 11 Jun 1900 McKinley Establishes American Red Cross Federal Charter: On June 11, 1900, U.S. President William McKinley signed the federal charter for the American Red Cross, formally recognizing and supporting the organization's humanitarian mission. This landmark legislation provided official government backing to the humanitarian organization, enabling it to expand its critical disaster relief and medical support services.
  • 12 Jun 1900 German Navy Law Approved by Reichstag: On June 12, 1900, the Reichstag voted 201-103 to approve a significant expansion of the Imperial German Navy, effectively doubling the number of naval vessels from 48 to 96. This legislative decision marked a pivotal moment in Germany's naval buildup and imperial ambitions, reflecting the growing maritime power and strategic intentions of the German Empire in the early 20th century.
  • 13 Jun 1900 Boxer Rebellion in China: The Boxer Rebellion was a violent anti-foreign, anti-colonial, and anti-Christian uprising that took place in China between 1899 and 1901. This significant anti-imperialist movement was led by the Righteous and Harmonious Fists (known as 'Boxers' by Westerners), who sought to expel foreign influences from China and overthrow the Qing Dynasty's pro-foreign government.
  • 14 Jun 1900 Hawaii Becomes a U.S. Territory: The Republic of Hawaii formally came to an end with the 'Act to Provide a Government for the Territory of Hawaii' taking effect. Sanford B. Dole became the first territorial Governor. All citizens of the Republic as of August 12, 1898, automatically became U.S. citizens, marking a significant transition in Hawaii's political status.
  • 15 Jun 1900 Uneventful Day in Global History: While no specific significant historical events were recorded for June 15, 1900, this date falls during a period of significant global transitions. The turn of the 20th century was marked by rapid industrialization, colonial expansions, and emerging technological innovations. The world was on the cusp of major geopolitical shifts, including the waning years of European imperial dominance and the rise of new global powers.
  • 16 Jun 1900 Opening of the Elbe–Lübeck Canal: On June 16, 1900, Kaiser Wilhelm II officially inaugurated the Elbe–Lübeck Canal, a significant transportation infrastructure project spanning 41 miles (66 kilometers) and connecting the Elbe River with the city of Lübeck. This waterway was crucial for improving maritime trade and transportation in northern Germany, facilitating easier movement of goods between inland regions and the Baltic Sea.
  • 17 Jun 1900 Boxer Rebellion: Capture of Taku Forts: During the Boxer Rebellion, Western Allied and Japanese forces launched a significant military operation by capturing the strategically important Taku Forts in Tianjin, China. At precisely 3:25 pm, naval ships from the Eight-Nation Alliance commenced a bombardment of the forts, marking the beginning of a critical invasion that would have far-reaching consequences for China's geopolitical landscape.
  • 18 Jun 1900 Italian Political Leadership Change: General Luigi Pelloux resigns from his position as Premier of Italy, marking a significant transition in the country's political leadership at the turn of the 20th century.
  • 19 Jun 1900 Boxer Rebellion Ultimatum in Beijing: On June 19, 1900, the Righteous Fists of Harmony (Boxer Rebellion) group delivered a critical ultimatum to foreign diplomats in Beijing, demanding they evacuate the city within 24 hours. This event marked a significant escalation of tensions during the Boxer Rebellion, a violent anti-foreign, anti-colonial, and anti-Christian uprising in China that challenged Western imperial influence.
  • 20 Jun 1900 Boxer Rebellion: Violent Anti-Foreign Uprising in China: The Boxer Rebellion was a significant anti-foreign and anti-colonial uprising in China, where approximately 20,000 Boxer militants gathered near Beijing (Peking). During this violent event, they killed hundreds of European citizens, including the German ambassador, targeting foreign influences that were perceived as threatening traditional Chinese culture and sovereignty.
  • 21 Jun 1900 Boxer Rebellion: China Declares War on Multiple Powers: On June 21, 1900, China formally declared war on the United States, Britain, Germany, France, and Japan, through an official edict issued by Empress Dowager Cixi. This declaration was a significant moment in the Boxer Rebellion, marking escalating international tensions in China.
  • 22 Jun 1900 Uneventful Day in History: On June 22, 1900, no significant historical events were recorded. This was a relatively quiet day during the early years of the 20th century, with no major political, social, or scientific developments noted in historical archives.
  • 23 Jun 1900 Allied Rescue Operation in Tianjin During Boxer Rebellion: During the Boxer Rebellion, a multinational Allied invasion force conducted a rescue mission in Tianjin. Led by Major Littleton Waller and a detachment of U.S. Marines, the operation also included German, British, Japanese, and Italian forces. Among those rescued was 26-year-old Herbert Hoover, who would later become the 31st President of the United States. Hoover, then working as an engineer, was caught in the conflict zone and saved by the international military intervention.
  • 24 Jun 1900 Boxer Rebellion Atrocity in Wangla Village: On June 24, 1900, Boxer rebels launched a violent assault on the Wangla village in Hebei province, China. The attack targeted the local Catholic community, resulting in the destruction of the village's Catholic church and the systematic killing of all Christian residents. This brutal incident was part of the broader Boxer Rebellion, a violent anti-foreign and anti-Christian movement that sought to expel Western and Japanese influences from China.
  • 25 Jun 1900 Establishment of the Yellow Fever Board: The Yellow Fever Board was established under the leadership of Dr. Walter Reed, bringing together a team of distinguished medical researchers including Dr. Jesse Lazear and Dr. James Carroll. This groundbreaking medical commission was formed to investigate and combat yellow fever, a deadly tropical disease that had been devastating military personnel and civilian populations in the United States and its territories, particularly during the Spanish-American War.
  • 26 Jun 1900 Dr. Walter Reed's Yellow Fever Breakthrough: Dr. Walter Reed, a U.S. Army physician, begins groundbreaking research that would ultimately lead to understanding the transmission and prevention of Yellow Fever. His work with the Yellow Fever Commission in Cuba would prove that the disease was transmitted by mosquitoes, revolutionizing medical understanding and public health strategies.
  • 27 Jun 1900 Franco-Spanish Colonial Boundary Agreement in West Africa: France and Spain formally established a definitive boundary between their respective West African colonial territories, specifically delineating the borders of Mauritania and the Spanish Sahara (Western Sahara). This diplomatic agreement, signed and ratified on June 27, 1900, represented a significant moment in the colonial partition of African territories during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
  • 28 Jun 1900 British Capture of Pretoria during Second Boer War: On June 28, 1900, the city of Pretoria, capital of the Transvaal Republic, surrendered to British forces led by Field Marshal Lord Roberts during the Second Boer War. This significant military event marked a crucial turning point in the conflict between British imperial forces and Boer resistance, effectively dealing a major blow to Boer independence efforts.
  • 29 Jun 1900 Birth of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry: Antoine de Saint-Exupéry was a renowned French writer, poet, aristocrat, journalist, and pioneering aviator. Born in Lyon, France, he is best known for his novella 'The Little Prince' and his profound writings about aviation, including 'Wind, Sand and Stars'. His works often blended his experiences as a pilot with philosophical reflections on human nature, adventure, and life's deeper meanings.
  • 30 Jun 1900 Devastating Hoboken Docks Fire: On June 30, 1900, a catastrophic fire erupted at the Hoboken Docks in New Jersey, destroying four German passenger liners owned by the North German Lloyd Steamship line. The blaze quickly spread across adjacent piers, engulfing nearby ships and resulting in a tragic loss of 326 lives. The incident was one of the most significant maritime disasters of the early 20th century, highlighting the severe fire risks in maritime transportation during that era.