Major Events of January 1919: 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 1919 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of January 1919: Key Historical Moments from the Month

01 Jan 1919 Women's Political Rights in Canada: A significant milestone in Canadian democracy: Women were granted the right to be candidates in federal elections, expanding political participation and representation.
02 Jan 1919 Russian Civil War - Caspian-Caucasian Front Battle: The Red Army launched an attack against Anton Denikin's White Army in the North Caucasus region. Despite strategic planning, the initial assault failed to achieve its primary military objectives, highlighting the complex and challenging nature of the Russian Civil War.
03 Jan 1919 Faisal–Weizmann Agreement: A Diplomatic Milestone: On January 3, 1919, a groundbreaking diplomatic agreement was signed between Emir Faisal I of the Arab Kingdom of Hejaz and Chaim Weizmann, a prominent Zionist leader. This historic document represented an early attempt at Arab-Jewish cooperation, outlining mutual support for the establishment of a Jewish homeland in Palestine and an independent Arab state in the broader Middle Eastern region. The agreement symbolized a rare moment of potential collaboration and understanding between Arab and Jewish leadership during a complex period of post-World War I territorial negotiations.
04 Jan 1919 Havelock Henry Trevor Hudson: Lloyd's of London Underwriter: Havelock Henry Trevor Hudson was a prominent underwriter working at Lloyd's of London, a renowned insurance and reinsurance marketplace. During the early 20th century, Lloyd's played a critical role in global maritime and commercial risk management, with underwriters like Hudson assessing and pricing complex insurance risks.
05 Jan 1919 Spartacus uprising in Berlin: state of siege
06 Jan 1919 Death of Theodore Roosevelt: Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States, passed away at his home in Oyster Bay, New York, at the age of 60. A prominent political figure known for his progressive policies, conservation efforts, and recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize, Roosevelt left an indelible mark on American history.
07 Jan 1919 Estonian War of Independence: Major Counter-Offensive: Estonian forces launched a decisive and successful general counter-offensive against the Red Army and Soviet Russian forces, pushing back enemy troops that were positioned just 40 kilometers from the capital city of Tallinn. This strategic military operation was crucial in defending Estonia's newly emerging independence.
08 Jan 1919 Theodore Roosevelt's Funeral: The funeral of Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States, is held at Christ Church in Oyster Bay, Long Island. Roosevelt passed away in his sleep at the age of 60, marking the end of a significant political era in American history.
09 Jan 1919 Freikorps Deployment in Berlin: Friedrich Ebert, the first President of the Weimar Republic, orders the Freikorps (paramilitary right-wing volunteer units) into action in Berlin during a period of political unrest following World War I. This action was part of the suppression of communist and socialist uprisings that threatened the newly formed democratic government.
10 Jan 1919 Freikorps Attack on Spartacist Supporters in Berlin: On January 10, 1919, Freikorps paramilitary units launched a violent assault against Spartacist supporters in the areas surrounding Berlin, Germany. This attack was part of the broader conflict between right-wing nationalist paramilitary groups and left-wing revolutionary socialists in the aftermath of World War I, marking a critical moment in the German Revolution.
11 Jan 1919 Spartacus Uprising Suppressed: The German Communist Party (Spartacus League), led by Karl Liebknecht and Rosa Luxemburg, was violently crushed by government forces in Berlin. This event marked a critical moment in the early Weimar Republic, highlighting the intense political tensions and ideological conflicts in post-World War I Germany.
12 Jan 1919 Paris Peace Conference Begins: The Paris Peace Conference officially opened on January 12, 1919, marking a pivotal moment in post-World War I diplomacy. Representatives from the Allied Powers gathered to negotiate and draft comprehensive peace treaties with the defeated Central Powers, including Germany, Austria, Bulgaria, Hungary, and the Ottoman Empire. This conference would ultimately reshape the geopolitical landscape of Europe and the Middle East, setting the stage for significant territorial changes, reparations, and the establishment of new national boundaries.
13 Jan 1919 Murder of Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht: Revolutionary leaders Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht were brutally murdered following the suppression of the Spartacist uprising in Berlin, marking a significant moment in early 20th-century German political history.
14 Jan 1919 Estonian War of Independence: Liberation of Tartu: Estonian forces successfully liberated the city of Tartu from the Red Army during the Estonian War of Independence, a crucial moment in Estonia's struggle for national sovereignty.
15 Jan 1919 Murder of Luxemburg and Liebknecht: Two prominent German communist leaders, Rosa Luxemburg and Karl Liebknecht, are brutally murdered by members of the Freikorps following the suppression of the Spartacist uprising, highlighting the intense political tensions in post-World War I Germany.
16 Jan 1919 Paris Peace Conference Begins: The Paris Peace Conference opens in Versailles, France, marking a critical diplomatic gathering to negotiate peace terms following World War I. This conference would ultimately lead to the Treaty of Versailles, which formally ended the war and reshaped the geopolitical landscape of Europe.
18 Jan 1919 Paris Peace Conference Begins: The Paris Peace Conference commences, bringing together world leaders to negotiate the terms of peace following World War I. This pivotal conference will result in the Treaty of Versailles and the establishment of the League of Nations, fundamentally reshaping global geopolitics.
19 Jan 1919 First Weimar Republic Election with Female Suffrage: The 1919 German federal election marked a significant milestone in German democratic history. It was the first election held under the newly established Weimar Republic and notably the first election in Germany that included women's suffrage. This election represented a pivotal moment in Germany's transition to a democratic system following World War I.
21 Jan 1919 First Dáil Éireann Convenes in Dublin: The First Dáil Éireann (Irish Parliament) met at the Mansion House in Dublin, where Sinn Féin adopted Ireland's first constitution. This historic meeting also marked the beginning of the Irish War of Independence with the first engagement at Sologhead Beg, County Tipperary.
22 Jan 1919 Act of Unity of Ukrainian Lands: On January 22, 1919, the historic Act Zluky (Act of Unity) was signed, marking a significant moment in Ukrainian national identity. This pivotal document symbolically unified the Ukrainian People's Republic (which represented eastern Ukrainian territories) and the West Ukrainian National Republic (representing western Ukrainian lands). The act represented a crucial attempt to consolidate Ukrainian territorial and political aspirations in the aftermath of World War I and during the complex period of national state-building.
23 Jan 1919 Khotin Uprising Begins: The Khotin Uprising erupted in Khotyn, Ukraine, representing a significant moment of local resistance and revolutionary activity during the complex political landscape of post-World War I Eastern Europe. This uprising was part of the broader revolutionary movements challenging existing political structures in the region.
24 Jan 1919 Battle of Dogger Bank: The Battle of Dogger Bank was a significant naval engagement between squadrons of the British Grand Fleet and the German High Seas Fleet (Hochseeflotte) during World War I. This naval confrontation took place in the North Sea, specifically around the Dogger Bank region, and represented an important moment of maritime conflict between the two naval powers.
25 Jan 1919 Founding of League of Nations: The League of Nations was established as the first global intergovernmental organization designed to maintain world peace after World War I. Its primary goal was to prevent future conflicts through diplomatic negotiations and collective security. The organization was a key component of the Paris Peace Conference and the Treaty of Versailles, representing an ambitious attempt to create an international framework for resolving disputes between nations.
26 Jan 1919 K C Ibrahim - Early Cricket Player: K C Ibrahim was an early Indian cricket player who represented India in Test matches against the West Indies during the 1948-49 cricket season. He was notable for participating in four Test matches, contributing to the development of cricket in post-colonial India.
27 Jan 1919 Death of Endre Ady, Prominent Hungarian Poet: Endre Ady, a significant Hungarian poet known for his modernist and revolutionary literary style, passed away at the age of 41. His work 'Margita Tlni akar' was among his notable contributions to Hungarian literature, representing the intellectual and cultural movements of his era.
28 Jan 1919 Paris Peace Conference in Session: The Paris Peace Conference, a pivotal diplomatic gathering following World War I, was in session. Delegates from 27 nations were negotiating the terms of peace, with particular focus on Germany's post-war obligations. These negotiations would ultimately lead to the Treaty of Versailles, which would dramatically reshape European geopolitics and set the stage for future conflicts.
29 Jan 1919 18th Amendment Proclamation: Prohibition Begins: The Secretary of State officially proclaimed the 18th Amendment to the United States Constitution, marking the legal start of nationwide Prohibition. This constitutional amendment banned the production, transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages, fundamentally transforming American social and legal landscapes.
30 Jan 1919 Battle of Skoczów in Polish-Czech Conflict: During the early stages of post-World War I territorial disputes, Czech forces successfully broke through Polish defensive lines and pushed Polish units back to the town of Skoczów in Poland, marking a significant military engagement in the region's complex territorial conflicts.
31 Jan 1919 Jackie Robinson's Birth in Cairo, Georgia: Jackie Robinson, a groundbreaking African American baseball player who would later become the first Black player in Major League Baseball, is born in Cairo, Georgia. His future integration of professional baseball would be a pivotal moment in the civil rights movement, breaking the color barrier in the sport.