Major Events of January 1910: 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 January 1910 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of January 1910: Key Historical Moments from the Month

01 Jan 1910 Discriminatory Railroad Hiring Quota: American railroad companies in the Southern United States, in collaboration with the Brotherhood of Railway Trainmen, implemented a discriminatory hiring quota limiting African American employment to the percentage present on January 1st, 1910.
02 Jan 1910 First Junior High Schools Established in Berkeley, California: Berkeley, California pioneered the establishment of junior high schools in the United States, marking a significant transformation in the American educational system. These new schools represented an innovative approach to organizing secondary education, creating a distinct intermediate level between elementary and high school. This educational model would soon be adopted nationwide, fundamentally changing how adolescents were educated.
03 Jan 1910 First Junior High School Classes in the United States: Berkeley, California pioneered a groundbreaking educational model by introducing the first junior high school classes in the United States. Students in seventh, eighth, and ninth grades at McKinley High School and Washington High School began attending these innovative intermediate classes, marking a significant transformation in the American educational system's structure.
04 Jan 1910 Death of Léon Delagrange in Aviation Accident: French aviation pioneer Léon Delagrange, who had recently set a flying speed record, was tragically killed during an airshow in Bordeaux. While performing a turn in his Blériot monoplane, the aircraft's wings catastrophically failed, causing him to plummet 65 feet (20 meters) to his death. This incident highlighted the extreme risks faced by early aviation pioneers in the nascent days of powered flight.
05 Jan 1910 Montreal Canadiens' First Hockey Game: The Montreal Canadiens played their inaugural ice hockey game, defeating the Cobalt Silver Kings 7-6. Edouard 'Newsy' Lalonde made history by scoring the first goal for the team, marking the beginning of one of the most storied franchises in NHL history.
06 Jan 1910 Great White Fleet Passes Through Suez Canal: The United States Navy's Great White Fleet completed a historic passage through the Suez Canal, marking a significant moment in naval diplomacy and global maritime power projection. This event represented the largest naval fleet to transit the canal at that time, demonstrating the United States' emerging status as a global naval power.
07 Jan 1910 Pinchot–Ballinger Controversy Begins: A significant political dispute erupted when President William Howard Taft ordered the dismissal of Forestry Director Gifford Pinchot, an event that would ultimately fracture the Republican Party and indirectly contribute to Woodrow Wilson's presidential election.
08 Jan 1910 Bhutan Becomes British Protectorate: On January 8, 1910, the Himalayan kingdom of Bhutan officially became a protectorate of the British Empire through the signing of the Treaty of Punakha. This diplomatic agreement significantly altered Bhutan's international status, placing it under British imperial influence while maintaining a degree of internal autonomy. The treaty established a framework for British guidance in Bhutan's foreign affairs, marking an important moment in the geopolitical landscape of the early 20th-century British colonial expansion in the Himalayan region.
09 Jan 1910 Birth of Michel Aflaq, Ba'athism Founder: On January 9, 1910, Michel Aflaq was born in Damascus, Syria. A pivotal political theorist, Aflaq would go on to become the primary intellectual architect of Ba'athism, a revolutionary pan-Arab socialist ideology that significantly influenced Middle Eastern political thought in the 20th century.
10 Jan 1910 First International Air Meet in the United States: The inaugural international aviation exhibition was held in Los Angeles, marking a significant milestone in early 20th-century aerospace development. This event showcased cutting-edge aircraft technology and attracted aviation pioneers from around the world, helping to popularize the emerging field of powered flight.
12 Jan 1910 Ottoman Empire Leadership Change: İbrahim Hakkı Pasha was appointed as the new Grand Vizier of the Ottoman Empire, succeeding Hüseyin Hilmi Pasha. This political transition represented a significant moment in the late Ottoman administrative leadership.
13 Jan 1910 First Public Radio Broadcast in History: On January 13, 1910, a groundbreaking moment in communication technology occurred when the first public radio broadcast was transmitted from the Metropolitan Opera House in New York City. The live performance of the opera 'Cavalleria rusticana' was sent out over the airwaves, featuring renowned opera singer Enrico Caruso, marking a revolutionary milestone in mass media and telecommunications.
14 Jan 1910 Spanish Military Coup Suppression by King Alfonso XIII: On January 14, 1910, King Alfonso XIII of Spain decisively moved to prevent a potential military coup by ordering the arrest of 80 high-ranking military officers suspected of seditious plotting. In a bold and strategic action, he removed the Captains General from key strategic regions including Madrid, Valencia, Valladolid, and Coruña. Police forces surrounded the Military Club in Madrid, systematically taking the conspiring officers into custody and effectively neutralizing the threat to the monarchy.
15 Jan 1910 Buffalo Bill Dam Completion: Construction of the Buffalo Bill Dam in Wyoming, United States, was completed on January 15, 1910. At the time of its completion, the dam stood as the highest dam in the world, measuring an impressive 99 meters (325 feet) in height. Located on the Shoshone River in the northwestern part of Wyoming, the dam was a significant engineering achievement of the early 20th century, representing the growing technological capabilities of the United States during the Progressive Era.
16 Jan 1910 Uneventful Day in Early 20th Century: While no specific significant historical events were recorded for January 16, 1910, this date falls within the early years of the 20th century, a period of significant global transformation marked by technological innovation, colonial expansions, and emerging geopolitical tensions.
17 Jan 1910 Arizona and New Mexico Statehood Bill Approved: On January 17, 1910, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously passed a pivotal bill granting statehood to the territories of Arizona and New Mexico. This legislative action was a significant milestone in the westward expansion of the United States, representing the continued growth and territorial consolidation of the nation in the early 20th century. The bill marked the final congressional step before these territories would officially become the 48th and 49th states of the Union.
18 Jan 1910 Devastating Fire Destroys Ottoman Imperial Palace in Constantinople: On January 18, 1910, a catastrophic fire swept through Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul), causing significant damage to the historic Palace of Charagan, the official residence of the Ottoman Sultan. The blaze also consumed the nearby parliament buildings, representing a major architectural and administrative loss for the Ottoman Empire during its twilight years. The fire not only destroyed important government infrastructure but also symbolized the declining power and instability of the Ottoman state in the early 20th century.
19 Jan 1910 First US Military Aerial Bombardment Experiment: The United States Army conducted its pioneering experiment in aerial bombardment, with Louis Paulhan piloting an aircraft and Lieutenant Paul Beck demonstrating bombing techniques. Using dummy bombs made of sand, they dropped projectiles from an altitude of 350 feet, marking a significant moment in military aviation and warfare technology.
20 Jan 1910 Jack Johnson Arrest and Boxing Anticipation: Heavyweight boxing champion Jack Johnson was arrested for assault in New York but was subsequently released. This incident occurred in the same year he would participate in the historic 'Fight of the Century' against former champion James J. Jeffries, a bout that would become a significant racial and sporting event of the era.
21 Jan 1910 British-Russian Military Intervention in Persia: In a significant geopolitical event, British and Russian forces jointly intervened in Persia (modern-day Iran), demonstrating the complex imperial dynamics of early 20th-century international relations. This intervention highlighted the strategic importance of Persia in the Great Game between European powers, particularly Britain and Russia, who were competing for influence in Central Asia.
22 Jan 1910 Metropolitan Life Insurance Company Tower Completion: The Metropolitan Life Insurance Company Tower was completed in New York City, becoming the world's tallest building at the time, standing at an impressive 700 feet (210 meters). This architectural achievement symbolized the rapid urban development and economic growth of early 20th-century America, showcasing the technological and engineering prowess of the era.
23 Jan 1910 Birth of Django Reinhardt: Django Reinhardt, a pioneering jazz guitarist and composer, was born in Liberchies, Belgium. Despite suffering severe burns in a fire as a young man that permanently damaged his left hand, he developed an innovative playing technique that would revolutionize jazz guitar. His unique style blending Romani musical traditions with jazz would profoundly influence generations of musicians worldwide.
25 Jan 1910 Nicaraguan Rebel Victory at La Libertad: In a significant political and military confrontation, rebel troops defeated the Nicaraguan army at La Libertad. This battle ultimately led to President José Madriz surrendering to the rebel forces, marking a pivotal moment in Nicaragua's political history.
26 Jan 1910 Paris Flood of 1910: In January 1910, Paris experienced a catastrophic flooding event caused by prolonged and heavy rainfall. The Seine River rose dramatically, submerging large parts of the city, causing significant damage to infrastructure, homes, and disrupting daily life. This flood was one of the most severe in Paris's modern history, with water levels reaching unprecedented heights and forcing thousands of residents to evacuate. The event exposed the city's vulnerability to natural disasters and led to important urban planning and flood prevention strategies in subsequent years.
28 Jan 1910 Japanese Cherry Blossom Trees Gift to Washington, D.C.: In a significant diplomatic and cultural exchange, Japan gifted 2,000 cherry blossom trees to Washington, D.C. This gesture symbolized friendship between the United States and Japan, and these trees would later become a beloved landmark and annual attraction in the nation's capital.
29 Jan 1910 Death of Edouard Rod: Edouard Rod, a prominent French-Swiss writer, passed away at the age of 52. Rod was known for his literary work 'Mishel' Tes'e' and was an influential figure in late 19th and early 20th-century European literature.
30 Jan 1910 Frans Dohmen: Dutch Catholic Labor Organizer: Frans Dohmen was a prominent union leader who played a significant role in the Dutch Catholic Mineworker's Union during the early 20th century. At a time of significant industrial transformation and labor rights movements, Dohmen worked to represent and advocate for the rights and working conditions of miners in the Netherlands, particularly those in the Catholic labor movement.
31 Jan 1910 Hawley Harvey Crippen Murder Case: American medical practitioner Hawley Harvey Crippen allegedly murdered his wife, Cora, by poisoning her and subsequently burying her body in the cellar of their London home. This crime would become one of the most infamous murder cases of the early 20th century, later leading to a high-profile international manhunt.