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

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

  • 01 Dec 1901 57th United States Congress Begins First Legislative Session: More than a year after their election, the 57th United States Congress convened its first legislative session. Three new U.S. Senators were sworn in, and Speaker of the House David B. Henderson of Iowa was re-elected. Despite being elected in 1900, this was their first session to introduce new legislation.
  • 02 Dec 1901 Gillette Revolutionizes Personal Grooming with Disposable Razor Patent: On December 2, 1901, King Camp Gillette secured a groundbreaking patent for the first disposable razor blade, marking a significant innovation in personal hygiene and grooming technology. This invention would transform shaving from a potentially dangerous and expensive process using traditional straight razors to a more convenient, affordable, and safer method for men worldwide.
  • 03 Dec 1901 Australia's Immigration Restriction Act: The Australian Parliament passed the Immigration Restriction Act 1901, a landmark legislation designed to limit non-European immigration. The law required potential immigrants to write a 50-word passage in a European language chosen by the examiner, effectively creating a discriminatory barrier to immigration and establishing the foundation for the 'White Australia' policy.
  • 04 Dec 1901 57th United States Congress First Legislative Session: The 57th United States Congress convened its first legislative session, with three new U.S. Senators being sworn in and David B. Henderson of Iowa re-elected as Speaker of the House. This session marked the beginning of a new congressional term following the 1900 elections.
  • 05 Dec 1901 Walt Disney Born: Walt Disney, the legendary American animator, film producer, and founder of The Walt Disney Company, was born in Chicago, Illinois. He would go on to create the iconic character Mickey Mouse and revolutionize the animation and entertainment industry.
  • 06 Dec 1901 French Parliament Resolves Boxer Rebellion Financial Claims: On December 6, 1901, the French Parliament passed a significant financial legislation related to the aftermath of the Boxer Rebellion in China. The law authorized the government to borrow against Chinese indemnity payments and mandated immediate compensation for military expedition costs. Additionally, the law provided reimbursement to French missionaries, industrialists, and private citizens who had suffered damages during the conflict, demonstrating France's diplomatic and economic strategy in managing international tensions.
  • 07 Dec 1901 Japan and United Kingdom Form Strategic Alliance: Japan's cabinet unanimously approved a pivotal diplomatic agreement to form an alliance with the United Kingdom. This strategic partnership, formalized by the Anglo-Japanese Agreement signed on January 30, 1902, marked a significant moment in early 20th-century geopolitical relations, signaling Japan's emergence as a major international power.
  • 08 Dec 1901 U.S. Concentration Camps Established in the Philippines: During the Philippine-American War, United States Army Colonel J. Franklin Bell implemented a controversial military strategy by establishing concentration camps on the island of Luzon, specifically in the Batangas region. These camps, euphemistically termed 'protected zones', were designed to isolate and control the local population, effectively cutting off potential support for Filipino insurgents fighting against American colonial occupation. This tactic was part of a broader counterinsurgency approach that resulted in significant civilian suffering and displacement.
  • 09 Dec 1901 Nicaragua Canal Agreement with United States: Foreign Minister of Nicaragua and United States Ambassador William L. Merry signed a significant bilateral agreement in Managua, granting the United States a perpetual lease for a six-mile wide canal zone connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, with strategic implications for international maritime trade and geopolitical influence.
  • 10 Dec 1901 First Nobel Prize Ceremony: The inaugural Nobel Prize ceremony was held in Stockholm, Sweden, marking a historic moment in recognizing outstanding achievements across multiple disciplines. The prizes were awarded in five categories: Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Literature, and Peace, celebrating remarkable contributions to human knowledge and humanitarian efforts.
  • 11 Dec 1901 First Transatlantic Radio Signal: On December 11, 1901, Italian inventor Guglielmo Marconi achieved a groundbreaking technological milestone by successfully transmitting the first transatlantic radio signal from Poldhu, Cornwall, England to Saint John's, Newfoundland. This historic transmission challenged existing scientific understanding by proving that radio waves could travel beyond the horizon, effectively disproving contemporary beliefs about the limitations of electromagnetic wave propagation.
  • 12 Dec 1901 First Transatlantic Radio Signal Transmission: On December 12, 1901, Italian inventor Guglielmo Marconi achieved a groundbreaking technological milestone by successfully receiving the first transatlantic radio signal at Signal Hill in St. John's, Newfoundland. The historic transmission was the letter 'S' (•••) in Morse Code, sent from England across the Atlantic Ocean, demonstrating the potential of long-distance wireless communication.
  • 13 Dec 1901 S.F. Barnes Test Cricket Debut in Australia: S.F. Barnes made his historic test cricket debut against Australia at the Sydney Cricket Ground, demonstrating exceptional bowling skills by taking 5 wickets for 65 runs in the first innings. This performance marked the beginning of what would become a significant career in international cricket.
  • 14 Dec 1901 First Table Tennis Tournament in London: The inaugural table tennis tournament was held at the London Royal Aquarium, marking a significant milestone in the early development of the sport. This event represented one of the first organized competitive gatherings for table tennis, helping to establish its credibility as a structured athletic competition.
  • 15 Dec 1901 Boer Commandos in Cape Colony during Second Boer War: General Pieter H. Kritzinger, a prominent Boer military leader, continued his guerrilla campaign against British forces in the Cape Colony during the Second Boer War. His strategic raids and mobile warfare tactics were designed to disrupt British military operations and supply lines, demonstrating the Boers' resilience and asymmetric warfare capabilities.
  • 16 Dec 1901 Publication of The Tale of Peter Rabbit: Beatrix Potter published her iconic children's book 'The Tale of Peter Rabbit', which would go on to become one of the most beloved and best-selling children's books in history. The story, featuring the mischievous Peter Rabbit, was initially self-published and later picked up by Frederick Warne & Co., launching Potter's career as a celebrated children's author and illustrator.
  • 17 Dec 1901 Uneventful Day in World History: While no major global events were recorded on December 17, 1901, this does not mean the day was entirely without significance. During this period, the world was experiencing rapid technological and social transformations, including the early stages of industrialization and significant scientific developments.
  • 18 Dec 1901 Uneventful Day in World History: While no specific major historical events were recorded for December 18, 1901, this date falls during an interesting period of global transformation. The turn of the 20th century was marked by significant technological, political, and social changes. At this time, the world was experiencing rapid industrialization, colonial expansions, and emerging scientific discoveries.
  • 19 Dec 1901 Venezuelan Uprising in Aragua State: On December 19, 1901, the Venezuelan state of Aragua, led by Governor Luciano Mendoza, initiated a significant uprising against the national government of President Cipriano Castro. This rebellion represented a notable challenge to Castro's political authority and highlighted the political instability in Venezuela during the early 20th century.
  • 20 Dec 1901 Gopal Krishna Gokhale's Rise in Indian National Congress: Gopal Krishna Gokhale emerged as a pivotal figure in the Indian National Congress, marking a significant moment in India's independence movement. A moderate nationalist leader and mentor to Mahatma Gandhi, Gokhale would play a crucial role in advocating for Indian self-governance and social reforms during the early 20th century.
  • 21 Dec 1901 Kuwait Declares Independence from Ottoman Empire: On December 21, 1901, Kuwait symbolically declared its independence from the Ottoman Empire, with significant British military backing. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of Kuwait's journey towards sovereignty, leveraging British imperial influence to challenge Ottoman control in the Arabian Peninsula. The declaration represented a strategic geopolitical shift, positioning Kuwait as a distinct political entity with emerging international recognition.
  • 22 Dec 1901 Birth of Haldan Keffer Hartline: Haldan Keffer Hartline, a distinguished American physiologist and academic, was born on December 22, 1901. He would later become a Nobel Prize laureate for his groundbreaking work in neuroscience, specifically in understanding the physiological mechanisms of vision.
  • 23 Dec 1901 Immigration Restriction Act 1901 Receives Royal Assent: On December 23, 1901, the Immigration Restriction Act was formally approved by Lord Hopetoun, the Governor-General of Australia. This landmark legislation was a cornerstone of the White Australia Policy, designed to limit non-European immigration and maintain a racially homogeneous population. The Act empowered immigration officials to conduct dictation tests in European languages, effectively preventing non-white immigrants from entering Australia. This policy would remain in place until the progressive reforms of the 1960s and 1970s, which gradually dismantled racially discriminatory immigration practices.
  • 24 Dec 1901 Bohol Island Insurgency Ends: On December 24, 1901, the resistance movement on Bohol Island in the Philippines officially concluded when insurgent leaders surrendered to United States Army forces and relinquished their weapons. This event marked a significant moment in the Philippine-American War, representing the gradual pacification of Filipino resistance to American colonial control.
  • 25 Dec 1901 Boer Surprise Attack at Tweefontein: During the Second Boer War, Boer forces launched a surprise attack against British troops in the Orange Free State on Christmas Day, demonstrating the ongoing guerrilla warfare tactics employed by the Boers against British colonial forces.
  • 26 Dec 1901 First Legislative Session of the 57th U.S. Congress: The 57th United States Congress convened its first legislative session, with three new U.S. Senators being sworn in and David B. Henderson re-elected as Speaker of the House. This session represented a moment of democratic process and political transition in early 20th-century American governance.
  • 27 Dec 1901 Birth of Marlene Dietrich: Marlene Dietrich, a legendary German-American actress and singer, was born in Berlin, Germany. She would later become an iconic figure in cinema, famously starring in 'The Blue Angel' and known for her groundbreaking performances and distinctive style.
  • 28 Dec 1901 Concentration Camps Established in Philippines: United States Army Colonel J. Franklin Bell implemented a controversial military strategy by establishing 'protected zones' (concentration camps) on the island of Luzon in the Batangas region. This action was part of the U.S. counterinsurgency tactics during the Philippine-American War, aimed at controlling the local population and suppressing resistance movements.
  • 30 Dec 1901 Premiere of 'The Black Arrow' Historical Drama: On December 30, 1901, the historical drama 'The Black Arrow' made its stage debut, featuring notable actors Kyrle Bellew and Eleanor Robson. The play was an adaptation of Stanley J. Weyman's 1893 novel, brought to life through a theatrical interpretation that captured the dramatic essence of the original literary work.
  • 31 Dec 1901 Tomás Estrada Palma Becomes First President of Cuba: On December 31, 1901, Tomás Estrada Palma was elected as the inaugural President of Cuba, marking a significant milestone in the country's path to independence. In a decisive electoral victory, Estrada Palma secured 55 electoral votes, overwhelmingly defeating his opponent who received only eight votes. This election represented a crucial moment in Cuban history, symbolizing the nation's transition from Spanish colonial rule to a sovereign democratic republic.