1900190119021903190419051906190719081909
1910next year

Major Events of April 1902: 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 1902 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

history

Major Events of April 1902: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Apr 1902 Tragic Railroad Accident in Transvaal: A devastating railroad accident near Barberton in the Transvaal resulted in the deaths of 39 British soldiers and injuries to 45 others, highlighting the dangerous conditions of early 20th-century transportation infrastructure during the colonial era.
  • 02 Apr 1902 First Motion Picture Theater Opens in Los Angeles: The first motion picture theater opens in Los Angeles, California, marking a pivotal moment in the early development of cinema and entertainment technology in the United States.
  • 03 Apr 1902 Halifax Longshoremen Strike for Better Wages: In a significant labor movement, all 700 longshoremen in Halifax, Nova Scotia initiated a strike demanding increased pay. This collective action represents the growing labor organization and workers' rights movements of the early 1900s, seeking fair compensation and improved working conditions.
  • 04 Apr 1902 Cecil Rhodes Establishes Scholarship Fund: Cecil Rhodes, the prominent British businessman and colonial administrator, established the Rhodes Scholarship fund with an endowment of $10 million. This prestigious scholarship would go on to support international postgraduate students, primarily from territories of the British Empire and the United States, to study at the University of Oxford.
  • 05 Apr 1902 Ibrox Park Stadium Disaster: A tragic stand collapse occurred at Ibrox Park (now Ibrox Stadium) in Glasgow, Scotland during an international football match between Scotland and England. The catastrophic structural failure resulted in 25 fatalities and over 500 injuries, marking one of the most significant stadium disasters in early 20th-century sports history.
  • 06 Apr 1902 Will Reynolds Shootout in Alabama: On April 6, 1902, Will Reynolds, an African-American railroad employee, was involved in a violent confrontation with law enforcement in Colbert County, Alabama. During this incident, Reynolds killed the county sheriff, five deputies, and one bystander before being fatally shot by a law enforcement posse. The event highlights the racial tensions and violent conflicts prevalent in the early 20th-century Southern United States.
  • 07 Apr 1902 United States Passes Chinese Exclusion Bill: The United States House of Representatives passed its version of the Chinese Exclusion Bill, a discriminatory legislation that further restricted Chinese immigration. The Senate subsequently rejected any modifications to the existing restrictive laws.
  • 08 Apr 1902 Assassination of Sipyagin, Russian Minister of Interior: Dmitry Sipyagin, the Russian Minister of Interior who also headed the Secret Service, was assassinated. This event was part of the growing political unrest and revolutionary tensions in the Russian Empire during the early 1900s, reflecting the volatile political climate and opposition to the imperial government.
  • 09 Apr 1902 Boer Leaders Strategic Meeting: A critical wartime strategy meeting of prominent Boer leaders took place in Klerksdorp, Transvaal. Key figures including Martinus Theunis Steyn, Schalk Willem Burger, Louis Botha, Jan Smuts, Christiaan de Wet, and Koos de la Rey convened to explore potential negotiation strategies with the British during the Second Boer War.
  • 10 Apr 1902 Second Boer War Surrender: On April 10, 1902, the South African Boers formally accepted British terms of surrender, effectively ending the Second Boer War. This pivotal moment marked the conclusion of a brutal conflict between the British Empire and the Boer republics of the Transvaal and Orange Free State. The surrender came after years of intense guerrilla warfare and signaled the complete British colonial dominance in South Africa.
  • 11 Apr 1902 Battle of Rooiwal - Second Boer War Turning Point: The Battle of Rooiwal represented the final major engagement of the Second Boer War. A British force under Lieutenant Colonel Robert Kekewich decisively defeated a Boer commando team led by General Jan Kemp. The British soldiers' strategic positioning allowed them to inflict severe casualties, effectively concluding the war in Western Transvaal.
  • 12 Apr 1902 Roosevelt Repeals Spanish-American War Taxes: U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt signed legislation repealing the taxes that had been levied to pay for the Spanish–American War, marking the end of a wartime financial measure.
  • 13 Apr 1902 J.C. Penney Launches First Store: James C. Penney opens his first retail store in Kemmerer, Wyoming, marking the beginning of what would become a major American retail chain. This small-town store would eventually grow into the nationwide J.C. Penney department store company.
  • 14 Apr 1902 Discovery of Radium by Marie and Pierre Curie: Marie and Pierre Curie successfully isolated the radioactive element radium, a groundbreaking scientific achievement that would revolutionize understanding of atomic structure and radiation. This discovery was pivotal in the field of nuclear physics and would later have profound implications for medical research and treatment.
  • 15 Apr 1902 Pope Leo XIII's Encyclical on the American Catholic Church: Pope Leo XIII issued an important encyclical addressing the Catholic Church's role and development in the United States, providing guidance on ecclesiastical matters and the Church's mission in the rapidly growing American society.
  • 16 Apr 1902 Surrender of General Miguel Malvar: General Miguel Malvar, a prominent Filipino revolutionary leader, surrendered to United States military forces during the Philippine–American War. His capitulation represented a critical turning point in the conflict, symbolizing the gradual erosion of Filipino resistance against American colonial expansion in the Philippines. Malvar was one of the last significant military commanders to surrender, effectively signaling the approaching end of organized Filipino military opposition.
  • 17 Apr 1902 Tomás Estrada Palma's Journey to Cuba: Tomás Estrada Palma, a Cuban revolutionary leader who held U.S. citizenship, departed from the United States on a significant voyage to Cuba. His journey was pivotal, as he was set to become Cuba's first president following its independence from Spain, marking a crucial moment in Cuban political history.
  • 18 Apr 1902 Comprehensive Guatemala Earthquake Report: A series of devastating earthquakes struck Guatemala in one of the worst seismic events in the nation's nearly 200-year history. The maximum Mercalli intensity was VIII ('Severe'). Official death toll was 800, but total casualties including flooding, tsunami, and volcanic activity were estimated at 12,200. The city of Escuintla was particularly devastated, with 4,000 of its 10,000 inhabitants perishing during two minutes of intense shaking.
  • 19 Apr 1902 Devastating Guatemala Earthquake: A catastrophic magnitude 7.5 earthquake struck Guatemala, causing widespread destruction and resulting in approximately 2,000 fatalities. This seismic event was one of the most significant natural disasters in Guatemala's early 20th-century history, causing immense human suffering and infrastructure damage.
  • 20 Apr 1902 Discovery of Radium by Marie and Pierre Curie: In a groundbreaking scientific achievement, Marie and Pierre Curie successfully isolated the radioactive element radium, marking a pivotal moment in the understanding of radioactivity and atomic structure. Their meticulous research and innovative techniques would later revolutionize physics, chemistry, and medical science.
  • 21 Apr 1902 Uneventful Day in Global History: While no specific significant historical events were documented for April 21, 1902, this date represents a typical day during the early 20th century. During this period, the world was experiencing significant transformations, including technological advancements, colonial expansions, and emerging geopolitical tensions.
  • 22 Apr 1902 Death of Julius Sterling Morton, Agricultural Pioneer: Julius Sterling Morton, a prominent American politician and agriculturalist, passed away on April 22, 1902. He was best known for serving as the 3rd United States Secretary of Agriculture and for founding Arbor Day, a holiday dedicated to tree planting and environmental conservation. Morton was a significant figure in late 19th-century agricultural policy and conservation efforts, promoting sustainable land use and agricultural innovation.
  • 23 Apr 1902 First Official Outdoor Baseball Game in the US: A historic moment in American sports occurred when the first official outdoor baseball game took place at Philadelphia National League Park. The game was played between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Boston Braves, marking a significant milestone in the development of baseball as a national pastime.
  • 25 Apr 1902 Boer War Ceasefire Negotiations: Boer General Jan Smuts departed from Concordia in the Northern Cape of the South African Republic (Transvaal), leading a contingent of 250 men to meet with British negotiators at Vereeniging to discuss potential terms of a ceasefire in the ongoing Second Boer War. This diplomatic mission represented a critical moment in the conflict's potential resolution.
  • 26 Apr 1902 1902 FA Cup Final First Match Ends in Draw: The 1902 FA Cup Final, held at The Crystal Palace in England, was played in extremely cold weather conditions. The initial match concluded in a draw, which necessitated a replay on the same date, April 26, 1902. This unusual circumstance added dramatic tension to the football championship.
  • 27 Apr 1902 Kitty Kelly: Early 20th Century Actress: Kitty Kelly was a notable actress in New York City during the early 1900s, performing in theatrical productions such as 'Ladies of the Jury' and 'Behind Office Doors'. Her work contributed to the vibrant entertainment scene of the early 20th century, representing the emerging professional opportunities for women in the performing arts.
  • 28 Apr 1902 USS Chicago Officers Jailed in Venice: On April 28, 1902, four U.S. Navy officers from the USS Chicago were sentenced to short jail terms in Venice, Italy, after creating a public disturbance. The incident highlighted the potential tensions that could arise between military personnel and local authorities during international naval deployments in the early 20th century.
  • 29 Apr 1902 Founding of Altos Hornos de Vizcaya: Altos Hornos de Vizcaya was established in Spain, serving as the foundational predecessor to ArcelorMittal, which would eventually become the world's largest steel production company. This event marked a significant milestone in Spain's industrial development and the global steel industry.
  • 30 Apr 1902 Theodore Roosevelt's Presidency: Theodore Roosevelt was serving as the 26th President of the United States. Known for his progressive policies, conservation efforts, and 'Square Deal' domestic agenda, Roosevelt was a transformative political figure of the early 20th century.