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

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

  • 01 Oct 1904 JB van Heutsz Appointed Governor-General of Dutch East Indies: JB van Heutsz assumes the role of Governor-General of the Netherlands Indies, a pivotal colonial administrative position that would significantly influence Dutch colonial policy and governance in the Indonesian archipelago during the early 20th century.
  • 02 Oct 1904 Namibian Genocide: Von Trotha's Extermination Order: On October 2, 1904, German General Lothar von Trotha issued the infamous Vernichtungsbefehl (Extermination Order) in German South West Africa, marking a horrific moment in colonial history. The order explicitly commanded German colonial troops to kill all Herero men, whether armed or unarmed, and to take no prisoners. This directive was a deliberate strategy of racial annihilation against the indigenous Herero people during their uprising against German colonial rule. The order is now recognized as one of the first documented genocides of the 20th century, resulting in the systematic murder of approximately 80% of the Herero population and setting a precedent for future atrocities.
  • 03 Oct 1904 Mary McLeod Bethune Establishes Educational Institution: Mary McLeod Bethune founded the Daytona Normal and Industrial School in Daytona Beach, Florida, a pioneering educational institution for African-American students during the early 20th century, aimed at providing quality education and empowerment.
  • 04 Oct 1904 New York City Subway Inaugural Day: On the first day of operation, the New York City subway system carried 350,000 passengers across its initial 9.1-mile track network, marking a significant milestone in urban transportation infrastructure.
  • 05 Oct 1904 Alpha Kappa Psi Professional Business Fraternity Founded: Alpha Kappa Psi, a co-ed professional business fraternity, was established on the campus of New York University, marking an important milestone in collegiate professional networking and business education organizations.
  • 07 Oct 1904 Jack Chesbro Sets Major League Baseball Pitching Record: In a remarkable display of pitching prowess, Jack Chesbro of the New York Highlanders (now known as the New York Yankees) achieved an extraordinary milestone by winning his 41st game of the 1904 baseball season, with an impressive record of 41 wins and 12 losses. This achievement was unprecedented at the time and highlighted Chesbro's exceptional skill and endurance as a pitcher during the early 20th century.
  • 08 Oct 1904 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition (St. Louis World's Fair): The 1904 St. Louis World's Fair was a grand celebration of human progress, commemorating the Louisiana Purchase and showcasing technological and cultural achievements. The fair featured comprehensive daily programs that guided visitors through numerous events, exhibitions, and attractions, highlighting innovations and cultural developments of the era.
  • 09 Oct 1904 New York Herald's Exploration of Northern Manhattan: On October 9, 1904, the New York Herald published a significant article titled 'An Exploration of Northern Manhattan', providing readers with insights into the geography, development, and characteristics of the Inwood neighborhood during the early 20th century.
  • 10 Oct 1904 Yankees Lose Pennant Chance in Final Day Doubleheader: On the final day of the season, the New York Yankees played a critical doubleheader against the first-place Boston Red Sox. Despite having 41-game winner Jack Chesbro on the mound, the Yankees lost the first game, effectively ending their pennant hopes.
  • 11 Oct 1904 Unremarkable Day in 1904: While no specific notable historical events were recorded for October 11, 1904, this period was part of the early 20th century, a time of significant global transformation marked by industrialization, colonial expansion, and emerging technological innovations.
  • 12 Oct 1904 Uneventful Day in 1904: While no specific major historical events were documented for October 12, 1904, this does not necessarily mean nothing of significance occurred. Many days in history pass without dramatic global events, yet local or personal histories continue to unfold.
  • 13 Oct 1904 Death of Pavlos Melas in Macedonian Struggle: Pavlos Melas, a prominent Greek revolutionary and army officer, was fatally encircled and killed during the intense Macedonian Struggle. His death was a significant moment in the Greek nationalist efforts to claim and liberate territories in Macedonia from Ottoman control. Melas became a national hero, symbolizing the sacrifice and commitment of Greek revolutionaries in their fight for territorial expansion and cultural preservation.
  • 14 Oct 1904 Uneventful Day in Global History: On October 14, 1904, no major historical events were recorded in the available sources. This day appears to have been relatively quiet in terms of significant global developments, highlighting that not every day in history is marked by momentous occurrences.
  • 15 Oct 1904 Russian Baltic Fleet Departs for Port Arthur: On October 15, 1904, the Russian Baltic Fleet embarked on a historic and ultimately fateful journey from Reval (modern-day Tallinn), Estonia, heading towards Port Arthur during the Russo-Japanese War. This naval expedition would become one of the most notable maritime movements of the early 20th century, symbolizing Russia's strategic challenges in the conflict with Japan.
  • 16 Oct 1904 Russian Baltic Fleet Departs for Port Arthur: The Russian Baltic Fleet embarked on a historic and ultimately disastrous naval journey from Baltic Sea ports to engage in the Russo-Japanese War. This massive naval expedition, covering approximately 18,000 nautical miles, would become one of the most remarkable and ill-fated naval voyages in military history. The fleet, under the command of Admiral Zinovy Rozhestvensky, was tasked with reinforcing Russian naval forces in the Far East during the ongoing conflict with Japan.
  • 17 Oct 1904 Founding of Bank of Italy in San Francisco: Amadeo Giannini established the Bank of Italy in San Francisco, a pioneering financial institution that would eventually grow into Bank of America, one of the largest banks in the United States. Giannini's vision was to create a bank that served working-class and immigrant communities, providing financial services to those often overlooked by traditional banking institutions.
  • 18 Oct 1904 Kaiser-Friedrich-Museum Opens in Berlin: The Kaiser-Friedrich-Museum (now known as the Bode Museum) was inaugurated in Berlin, establishing a prestigious institution dedicated to the collection and display of fine art. Located on Museum Island, this museum would become a crucial center for preserving and showcasing artistic heritage.
  • 19 Oct 1904 Founding of Polytechnic University of the Philippines: The Polytechnic University of the Philippines was established on October 19, 1904, initially as the Manila Business School. The institution was founded under the supervision of American educator C. A. O'Reilley during the early period of American colonial administration in the Philippines. This marked an important milestone in the development of higher education in the country, providing professional and technical training to Filipino students.
  • 20 Oct 1904 Chile-Bolivia Peace and Friendship Treaty: On October 20, 1904, Chile and Bolivia signed a significant diplomatic agreement known as the Treaty of Peace and Friendship, which formally established and delimited the border between the two South American nations. This treaty was a crucial diplomatic resolution following the tensions of the War of the Pacific (1879-1884), in which Chile had gained substantial territorial concessions from both Bolivia and Peru. The treaty effectively formalized Bolivia's loss of its coastal territory to Chile and set the geographical boundaries between the two countries.
  • 21 Oct 1904 Dogger Bank Incident during Russo-Japanese War: During the Russo-Japanese War, the Russian Baltic Fleet mistakenly fired upon British fishing trawlers in the North Sea, believing them to be Japanese torpedo boats. This diplomatic incident heightened tensions between Russia and Britain, nearly escalating into an international conflict.
  • 22 Oct 1904 Russo-Japanese War Tension: Russian Fleet Mistakenly Attacks British Fishing Vessels: During the heightened tensions of the Russo-Japanese War, the Russian Baltic Fleet, en route to the Far East, mistakenly fired upon British fishing trawlers in the North Sea. The incident occurred due to extreme nervousness and misidentification, with Russian naval commanders believing the fishing boats were Japanese torpedo boats. This event significantly escalated diplomatic tensions between Russia and Britain, highlighting the volatile international atmosphere during the early 20th-century naval conflicts.
  • 23 Oct 1904 Emilia Dilke: English Author and Historian: Emilia Dilke was a prominent English author, art historian, and social reformer who made significant contributions to cultural and intellectual discourse in the late 19th century. Born on October 23, 1840, she was known for her scholarly works and advocacy for women's rights.
  • 24 Oct 1904 First New York City Subway Line Opens: On October 24, 1904, the inaugural line of the New York City Subway system began operations, marking a transformative moment in urban transportation infrastructure. The subway line, running from City Hall in Manhattan to 145th Street, represented a significant technological and engineering achievement that would reshape the city's mobility and urban development.
  • 25 Oct 1904 Birth of Vladimir Tytla, Pioneering Disney Animator: Vladimir Peter Tytla was born on October 25, 1904, in New York City. He would become one of the most influential animators of the early Disney era, renowned for his groundbreaking character animation work. Tytla is particularly famous for his expressive and emotionally powerful animation of characters like Chernabog in 'Fantasia' and Stromboli in 'Pinocchio', which set new standards for character performance in animation.
  • 26 Oct 1904 Uneventful Day in 1904: While no major historical events were documented for October 26, 1904, this does not necessarily mean nothing of significance occurred. Daily life continued in various parts of the world, with people going about their usual activities during the early 20th century. The year 1904 was part of the Edwardian era, a period of relative peace and technological advancement before the tumultuous events of World War I.
  • 27 Oct 1904 New York City Subway Inaugural Run: On October 27, 1904, New York City Mayor George McClellan personally operated the inaugural run of the city's groundbreaking subway rapid transit system. The line, operated by the Interborough Rapid Transit Company, traveled 9.1 miles through 28 stations, connecting lower Manhattan to Harlem. In the evening, the subway opened to the general public at a fare of five cents per ride. This momentous event marked a transformative moment in urban transportation, with approximately 150,000 curious New Yorkers experiencing the new underground transit system as both a technological marvel and a novel form of public transportation.
  • 28 Oct 1904 Saint Louis Police Adopt Fingerprint Investigation Technique: In a groundbreaking development for forensic science, the Saint Louis Police Department began implementing fingerprint analysis as a novel method of criminal investigation. This marked a significant advancement in law enforcement techniques, moving away from traditional identification methods like anthropometry and toward more scientifically precise means of personal identification.
  • 29 Oct 1904 IRT Subway Opens in New York City: The Interborough Rapid Transit (IRT) subway system officially commenced operations in New York City, revolutionizing urban transportation. This groundbreaking public transit network would become a critical component of New York's infrastructure, transforming how millions of residents commuted and fundamentally reshaping the city's urban landscape.
  • 30 Oct 1904 Uneventful Day in History: October 30, 1904, appears to be a day without any significant recorded historical events. While this might seem unremarkable, such days are a reminder that not every moment in history is marked by dramatic occurrences. Daily life continued for people around the world, with routine activities, personal experiences, and local interactions that often go unrecorded.
  • 31 Oct 1904 New York City Subway Inaugurates First Line: On October 31, 1904, the New York City Subway system officially began operations, marking a transformative moment in urban transportation. The inaugural line, operated by the Interborough Rapid Transit Company (IRT), ran from City Hall in Manhattan to 145th Street, revolutionizing public transit in the city. This groundbreaking transportation network would eventually become one of the most extensive and busiest subway systems globally, fundamentally changing how New Yorkers commute and shaping the city's urban landscape.