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Major Events of April 1901: 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 April 1901 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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Major Events of April 1901: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Apr 1901 Emilio Aguinaldo Signs Oath of Allegiance to the United States: On April 1, 1901, Emilio Aguinaldo, the prominent leader of the Philippine resistance against American occupation, signed an oath of allegiance to the United States. This pivotal moment occurred nine days after his capture, at the Malacañang Palace in Manila, in the office of U.S. Army General Arthur MacArthur Jr. By signing this document, Aguinaldo secured his release from incarceration and effectively marked a significant turning point in the Philippine-American War.
  • 02 Apr 1901 Sir Frederick Lugard's Slavery Proclamation in Northern Nigeria: British Governor Sir Frederick Lugard issued the Slavery Proclamation in Northern Nigeria, which nominally prohibited the future purchase and sale of slaves. However, the decree was critically limited: it did not immediately free existing enslaved individuals, only granting freedom to those born after April 1, 1901. Moreover, the proclamation allowed the continued trading of women as concubines, revealing the complex and often inadequate nature of early colonial anti-slavery efforts.
  • 03 Apr 1901 Denmark Introduces Secret Ballot Elections: A significant democratic reform occurred in Denmark with the first elections to the Folketing (lower house of the Danish Parliament) using a secret ballot system. This marked an important milestone in Danish electoral history, enhancing voter privacy and potentially reducing electoral intimidation or undue influence.
  • 04 Apr 1901 Precursor to McKinley's Assassination: An early assassination attempt against President William McKinley occurred in Buffalo, New York, when anarchist Leon Czolgosz attacked the president. Although McKinley survived this incident, it foreshadowed the fatal shooting that would take place later in the same year at the Pan-American Exposition.
  • 05 Apr 1901 Founding of Circus Sarrasani: On April 5, 1901, Hans Stosch-Sarrasani established the renowned Circus Sarrasani in Radebeul, Germany. This circus would go on to become internationally famous, traveling the world and entertaining audiences before World War II. Sarrasani was known for its innovative performances and global reach, representing a significant moment in the history of traveling entertainment.
  • 06 Apr 1901 U.S. Navy Removes Merrimac Wreckage in Santiago Harbor: During the Spanish-American War, the U.S. Navy successfully destroyed and removed the wreckage of the collier Merrimac, which had been strategically blocking the entrance to Santiago de Cuba harbor. This action was part of the naval operations aimed at controlling maritime access during the conflict.
  • 07 Apr 1901 Emilio Aguinaldo Swears Allegiance to the United States: In a pivotal moment of the Philippine-American War's aftermath, Emilio Aguinaldo, the former leader of the Philippine resistance, signed an oath of allegiance to the United States at Malacañang Palace in Manila. This act secured his personal release from incarceration and symbolized the complex transition of Philippine sovereignty.
  • 08 Apr 1901 Missionary Expedition to Goaribari Island, New Guinea: Scottish missionaries James Chalmers (59) and Oliver Fellows Tomkins (28) landed on Goaribari Island in New Guinea, embarking on a perilous mission to evangelize and convert the indigenous population to Christianity. Their journey represented a typical late 19th/early 20th-century missionary effort to spread Christian teachings in remote, largely uncontacted regions of the world.
  • 09 Apr 1901 U.S. Treasury Approves New $10 Bill Design: On April 9, 1901, Lyman J. Gage, the United States Secretary of the Treasury, officially approved a significant redesign of the ten-dollar bill. This marked the first substantial change to the $10 bill's appearance in over two decades, reflecting the evolving aesthetic and security standards of American currency at the turn of the 20th century.
  • 10 Apr 1901 Peace Negotiations in South African War: General Louis Botha initiated renewed peace negotiations between the South African Republic and the United Kingdom during the Second Boer War, seeking to find a diplomatic resolution to the ongoing conflict.
  • 11 Apr 1901 Emilio Aguinaldo Signs Oath of Allegiance: On April 11, 1901, Emilio Aguinaldo, the former leader of the Philippine resistance against American colonial forces, signed an oath of allegiance to the United States. This pivotal moment occurred nine days after his capture, at the Malacañang Palace in Manila, in the office of U.S. Army General Arthur MacArthur Jr. By signing this document, Aguinaldo effectively ended his armed resistance and accepted American sovereignty over the Philippines, marking a significant turning point in Philippine-American relations during the early 20th century.
  • 12 Apr 1901 US Proposes Reduction of Boxer Rebellion Indemnity: In a diplomatic gesture of goodwill, the United States proposed to other foreign powers in China a reduction of the indemnity payments imposed on China following the Boxer Rebellion. This proposal demonstrated a more compassionate approach to post-conflict reparations and signaled the United States' emerging role as a moderating diplomatic force in international relations.
  • 13 Apr 1901 Discovery of the Antikythera Mechanism: On Good Friday, a Greek sponge diver made a remarkable archaeological discovery off the coast of the island of Antikythera. He found the ancient Antikythera mechanism, often considered the world's first analog computer, along with 30 Roman statues. This discovery would later revolutionize understanding of ancient Greek technological and astronomical capabilities.
  • 14 Apr 1901 Uneventful Day in Global History: While no specific major historical events were recorded for April 14, 1901, this date falls during the early years of the 20th century, a period of significant global transformation. The world was experiencing rapid industrialization, colonial expansions, and technological advancements. The turn of the century marked a transitional period between the Victorian era and the modern age, with emerging global powers reshaping international dynamics.
  • 15 Apr 1901 Joe Davis: Legendary Snooker Champion: Joe Davis emerged as a pivotal figure in the world of billiards and snooker, dominating the sport from 1927 to 1946. He was a pioneering English player who significantly shaped the professional landscape of cue sports during the early to mid-20th century.
  • 16 Apr 1901 Uneventful Day in Early 20th Century: No significant historical events were recorded for April 16, 1901, suggesting a relatively quiet day in global history during the early years of the 20th century.
  • 17 Apr 1901 Uneventful Day in Early 20th Century: While no specific significant historical events were recorded for April 17, 1901, this date represents a typical day during the early years of the 20th century. The world was experiencing a period of technological advancement, imperial expansion, and social transformation, though this particular day passed without notable documented occurrences.
  • 18 Apr 1901 Extinction of the Carolina Parakeet: On this date, the last known wild Carolina parakeet was shot by E. A. Hearns at Paget Creek in Brevard County, Florida. This marked a tragic milestone in ornithological history, as the Carolina parakeet became the first bird species to go extinct in the continental United States due to human activities such as habitat destruction, hunting, and agricultural expansion.
  • 19 Apr 1901 Aguinaldo's Peace Manifesto: On April 19, 1901, General Emilio Aguinaldo, a key Filipino revolutionary leader, issued a significant peace manifesto after his capture by American forces and subsequent oath of allegiance to the United States. This event marked a crucial turning point in the Philippine-American War, signaling the potential end of armed resistance and the beginning of a new political relationship.
  • 20 Apr 1901 Surrender of General Manuel Tinio to U.S. Forces: General Manuel Tinio, a prominent Filipino insurgent leader, formally surrendered to U.S. Army Captain Arthur L. Conger on April 20, 1901, marking a significant moment in the Philippine-American War. This surrender represented a critical turning point in the U.S. colonial efforts in the Philippines, as Tinio was one of the last major resistance leaders still actively fighting against American occupation.
  • 21 Apr 1901 Uneventful Day in Global History: While no specific major historical events were recorded for April 21, 1901, this date falls during the early years of the 20th century, a period of significant global transformation. The world was experiencing rapid industrialization, colonial expansions, and technological innovations. At this time, countries like the United States, European powers, and emerging nations were undergoing substantial social, economic, and political changes.
  • 22 Apr 1901 Prince Qing Leads Chinese Government: In April 1901, Prince Yikuang (Prince Qing) assumed the presidency of the Chinese government during a critical period in late Qing Dynasty history. His administration included prominent officials such as Li Hongzhang, Yung Lu, Kun Kang, Wang Wen Shao, and Lu Chuan. This leadership team was tasked with navigating China's complex political landscape in the aftermath of the Boxer Rebellion and the subsequent foreign interventions.
  • 23 Apr 1901 Uneventful Day in Global History: While no specific major historical events were documented for April 23, 1901, this date falls during the early years of the 20th century, a period marked by significant global transformations. The turn of the century was characterized by rapid industrialization, colonial expansions, technological innovations, and emerging geopolitical tensions that would shape the modern world.
  • 24 Apr 1901 First American League Baseball Game: On April 24, 1901, the inaugural game of the American League took place in Chicago, where the Chicago White Sox defeated the Cleveland Blues (Indians) with a score of 8-2. Three other scheduled games were postponed due to rain, marking a historic moment in professional baseball's evolution.
  • 25 Apr 1901 New York Introduces Automobile License Plates: On April 25, 1901, New York became the first U.S. state to require automobile license plates, implementing a $1 registration fee. This groundbreaking legislation marked a significant moment in early automotive regulation, establishing a system for vehicle identification and tracking.
  • 26 Apr 1901 Establishment of the British Standards Institution: On April 26, 1901, the British Standards Institution (BSI) was founded, marking a pivotal moment in the standardization of industrial and commercial practices in the United Kingdom. Initially created to develop and promote national standards, the organization would grow to become a globally recognized authority in technical standards, quality management, and certification across multiple industries.
  • 28 Apr 1901 First International Soccer Match Between Belgium and Netherlands: A historic soccer encounter took place between Belgium and the Netherlands, with Belgium emerging victorious with an overwhelming 8-0 score. This match represents an early milestone in the international soccer rivalry between these two neighboring European nations.
  • 29 Apr 1901 Emperor Hirohito's Birth: Emperor Hirohito was born in Japan, who would later become the 124th Emperor of Japan, reigning from 1926 to 1989. His reign spanned significant historical periods including World War II and Japan's post-war reconstruction.
  • 30 Apr 1901 Simon Kuznets: Pioneering Economist: Simon Kuznets, a renowned Ukrainian-born economist, was born on this day. He would later become a Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences laureate, making significant contributions to economic research, particularly in understanding economic growth and national income accounting. His groundbreaking work fundamentally transformed economic analysis and measurement of national economic performance.