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Major Events of February 1904: 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 February 1904 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

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Major Events of February 1904: Key Historical Moments from the Month

  • 01 Feb 1904 Roosevelt Meets Bat Masterson: U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt had a brief 10-minute meeting with Bat Masterson, a legendary American frontier lawman and sportswriter, at the White House in Washington, D.C. This encounter symbolized the intersection of the Old West and emerging modern American politics.
  • 02 Feb 1904 William Bramwell Powell Dies: William Bramwell Powell, a prominent American educator and author, died, leaving behind a legacy of contributions to education and literature.
  • 03 Feb 1904 Divorce and Presidential Meeting: On this day, opera singer Lillian Nordica was granted an interlocutory divorce decree from her husband, operatic tenor Zoltán Döhme. In a separate notable event, U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt met with legendary frontier lawman and sportswriter Bat Masterson at the White House, while senators and representatives waited nearby, highlighting the informal nature of political interactions during the era.
  • 04 Feb 1904 U.S. Troops Withdraw from Cuba: The United States completed its military occupation of Cuba, symbolically marking the end of an era. In a formal ceremony attended by Cuban President Tomás Estrada Palma and U.S. Minister Herbert G. Squiers, the American flag was lowered and the Cuban flag raised, signifying Cuba's transition to independence.
  • 05 Feb 1904 Theodore Roosevelt Endorsed by Republican Editorial Association: President Theodore Roosevelt received the endorsement of the National Republican Editorial Association during a meeting in Washington, D.C. He delivered a notable speech highlighting the critical role of journalists as public servants in shaping national discourse.
  • 06 Feb 1904 Russo-Japanese War Commences: The Russo-Japanese War officially begins, marking a significant conflict between the Russian Empire and the Empire of Japan. This war would become the first major military confrontation of the 20th century, fought primarily over competing imperial ambitions in Manchuria and Korea. The conflict would ultimately result in a surprising Japanese victory, which would shock the European powers and signal the emergence of Japan as a major world military power.
  • 07 Feb 1904 The Great Baltimore Fire of 1904: On Sunday, February 7, 1904, at 10:48 AM, a devastating fire erupted in Baltimore, Maryland, starting at the John E. Hurst Co. building located on German Street (now Redwood Street). The initial fire response included one engine, one truck, a district chief, and a salvage corps wagon. Within 30 hours, the fire had consumed over 1,500 buildings across 80 city blocks, making it one of the most destructive urban fires in American history.
  • 08 Feb 1904 Japanese Surprise Attack on Port Arthur: Japanese naval forces launched a surprise torpedo attack against the Russian-controlled Port Arthur (Lüshun) in Manchuria, initiating the Russo-Japanese War. This strategic strike severely damaged the Imperial Russian Navy and set the tone for the conflict.
  • 09 Feb 1904 Japan Declares War on Russia: On February 9, 1904, Japan officially declared war on Russia, marking the beginning of the Russo-Japanese War, a significant conflict that would reshape geopolitical dynamics in East Asia.
  • 10 Feb 1904 Russo-Japanese War Begins: Japan launched a surprise naval attack on the Russian fleet at Port Arthur, disabling seven Russian warships and effectively initiating the Russo-Japanese War. This conflict would become a significant geopolitical event that challenged European colonial powers and demonstrated Japan's emerging military strength.
  • 11 Feb 1904 Russian Naval Mishap at Port Arthur: During the Russo-Japanese War, the Russian torpedo boat Yenisei accidentally struck one of her own naval mines near Port Arthur, highlighting the dangerous and unpredictable nature of naval warfare in the early 1900s.
  • 12 Feb 1904 Russian Cruiser Boyarin Sunk by Naval Mine: During the Russo-Japanese War, the Russian cruiser Boyarin was tragically sunk by a Russian naval mine near Port Arthur, resulting in the death of six crew members. This incident highlighted the dangerous naval conditions and technological risks of maritime warfare during the early 20th century.
  • 13 Feb 1904 France and Siam Border Agreement: On February 13, 1904, France and Siam (now Thailand) negotiated a diplomatic agreement defining the precise territorial boundaries of French colonial protectorates in Laos and Cambodia. This treaty was part of the broader colonial negotiations in Southeast Asia during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, where European powers were establishing and demarcating their territorial claims.
  • 14 Feb 1904 Death of Charles Emerson Beecher, Paleontologist: Charles Emerson Beecher, a prominent American paleontologist, passed away at the age of 47 due to heart disease. Beecher was known for his significant contributions to the field of paleontology, studying and documenting fossil records that helped advance scientific understanding of prehistoric life.
  • 15 Feb 1904 Death of Mark Hanna, Influential U.S. Senator: Mark Hanna, a prominent United States Senator from Ohio and powerful political strategist, passed away at the age of 66 due to typhoid fever. Known for his significant role in Republican Party politics and his close association with President William McKinley, Hanna was a key figure in late 19th-century American political machinery. His death marked the end of an era for Republican Party leadership and political machine politics.
  • 16 Feb 1904 Birth of George F. Kennan: George F. Kennan, a prominent American historian, diplomat, and influential political policy-maker, was born. He would later become renowned for his strategic thinking during the Cold War and his significant contributions to U.S. foreign policy.
  • 17 Feb 1904 Madama Butterfly Opera Premiere: Giacomo Puccini's iconic opera 'Madama Butterfly' made its world premiere at the prestigious La Scala opera house in Milan, Italy. This groundbreaking performance would go on to become one of the most famous and beloved operas in classical music history.
  • 18 Feb 1904 Mexico's Neutrality in the Russo-Japanese War: On February 18, 1904, Mexico officially declared its neutrality in the Russo-Japanese War, a significant conflict between the Russian Empire and the Empire of Japan that primarily took place in Manchuria and the surrounding maritime regions. By maintaining a neutral stance, Mexico demonstrated its diplomatic approach to an international conflict that was geographically distant from its own territories.
  • 19 Feb 1904 SS Clallam Disaster: Captain Found Guilty of Manslaughter: On February 19, 1904, a coroner's jury concluded its investigation into the SS Clallam maritime disaster, finding Captain Roberts guilty of manslaughter through gross negligence. The incident highlighted serious maritime safety concerns and the potential consequences of captain's errors in judgment during sea voyages.
  • 20 Feb 1904 Manuel Amador Guerrero Elected as First President of Panama: Manuel Amador Guerrero was elected as the first President of Panama following the country's independence from Colombia in 1903. His election marked a pivotal moment in Panamanian history, symbolizing the nation's emergence as a sovereign state. As a key figure in the independence movement, Guerrero played a crucial role in establishing Panama's initial governmental structure and navigating the complex geopolitical landscape of early 20th-century Central America.
  • 21 Feb 1904 Religious Service for Russia during Russo-Japanese War: In Prague, a Russian Orthodox church conducted an intercession service praying for Russia's success in the ongoing Russo-Japanese War. The service drew several hundred attendees, reflecting the public's engagement and concern about the military conflict.
  • 22 Feb 1904 UK Recognition and Claim of South Orkney Islands: In a complex territorial interaction, the United Kingdom initially recognized the South Orkney Islands as part of Argentina in 1904, but later reasserted its own territorial claims in 1908. This diplomatic maneuver highlighted the geopolitical tensions surrounding Antarctic territorial possessions during the early 20th century.
  • 23 Feb 1904 United States Acquires Panama Canal Zone: The United States acquired control of the Panama Canal Zone from Colombia for $10 million, a strategic move that would significantly impact global maritime trade and geopolitical influence in the early 20th century. This acquisition was part of the broader U.S. expansionist policy and aimed to create a critical shipping route connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.
  • 24 Feb 1904 Schiller Building Fire in Chicago: On February 24, 1904, a significant fire broke out in the upper stories of the 16-story Schiller Building in Chicago, causing damage to the structure and the renowned Garrick Theater located within. The blaze affected the top four floors of this prominent downtown building, highlighting the fire safety challenges of early 20th-century high-rise construction.
  • 25 Feb 1904 J.M. Synge's 'Riders to the Sea' Premieres: J.M. Synge's groundbreaking one-act play 'Riders to the Sea' opened at the Irish National Theatre Society, marking a significant moment in Irish dramatic literature. The play, set in the Aran Islands, explores themes of fatalism, loss, and the harsh life of Irish coastal communities.
  • 26 Feb 1904 United States and Panama Canal Treaty Signed: On February 26, 1904, the United States and Panama formally proclaimed a pivotal treaty that granted the U.S. rights to construct the Panama Canal. This agreement was a crucial moment in international diplomacy and infrastructure development, enabling the creation of a strategic maritime passage that would dramatically reduce shipping times between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. The treaty established the legal framework for what would become one of the most significant engineering projects of the early 20th century.
  • 27 Feb 1904 Wisconsin State Capitol Fire of 1904: On February 27, 1904, a devastating fire erupted at the Wisconsin State Capitol in Madison, causing significant destruction. The blaze originated from a faulty gas jet around 2:30 AM, quickly engulfing the historic building. While fortunately no human lives were lost, the fire resulted in irreplaceable historical losses. Most notably, the Grand Army of the Republic records were destroyed, and the iconic taxidermied 'Old Abe' - a legendary Civil War mascot eagle that symbolized Wisconsin's military contribution - was consumed by the flames. The total financial damage was estimated between $800,000 and $1 million, a substantial sum for the early 20th century.
  • 28 Feb 1904 Outbreak of the Russo-Japanese War: The Russo-Japanese War officially escalated to full-scale conflict by February 28, 1904. This war marked a significant moment in early 20th-century geopolitics, representing the first major military conflict where an Asian power defeated a European imperial power. The conflict began with a surprise Japanese naval attack on Port Arthur (Lüshun) in Manchuria on February 8, and by February 28, substantial military operations were underway.
  • 29 Feb 1904 Theodore Roosevelt Appoints Panama Canal Study Committee: President Theodore Roosevelt established a seven-member committee to conduct a comprehensive study and assessment of the Panama Canal project, a critical infrastructure initiative that would significantly impact international maritime trade and U.S. geopolitical strategy.