What Was Happening in 1900
The dawn of a new century brought optimism, imperial ambition, and the first stirrings of modern life.
World Events in 1900
Boxer Rebellion
A violent anti-foreign uprising in China targeted Western missionaries and diplomats. An eight-nation alliance including Britain, the US, France, and Japan sent troops to relieve the besieged legations in Peking. The rebellion was crushed and China was forced to pay massive indemnities.
Second Boer War continues
British forces captured Pretoria and formally annexed the Transvaal, but Boer commandos launched guerrilla warfare that prolonged the conflict. The war was deeply controversial in Britain and exposed serious military shortcomings.
Galveston Hurricane
A Category 4 hurricane struck Galveston, Texas on September 8, killing an estimated 8,000 people. It remains the deadliest natural disaster in American history and led to major changes in hurricane preparedness and coastal engineering.
Paris hosts the second modern Olympic Games
The 1900 Summer Olympics were held as part of the Paris World's Fair. Events were spread over five months with chaotic organisation, and many athletes did not even realise they were competing in the Olympics.
Hawaii becomes a US territory
The Hawaiian Organic Act established Hawaii as an incorporated territory of the United States. Sanford Dole, who had led the overthrow of the Hawaiian monarchy, became the first territorial governor.
Labour Representation Committee founded
The forerunner of the British Labour Party was established on 27 February in London. Trade unions and socialist societies came together to seek independent working-class representation in Parliament.
Music in 1900
"Soldiers of the Queen"
Various music hall performers
A patriotic music hall song by Leslie Stuart that became hugely popular during the Boer War. Formal record charts did not exist; popularity was measured by sheet music sales.
"A Bird in a Gilded Cage"
Harry Von Tilzer (composed), Steve Porter (recorded)
One of the biggest sheet music sellers of 1900, selling over 2 million copies. It told the sentimental story of a young woman married to a wealthy old man.
#1 Film of 1900
Cinderella (Cendrillon)
Box Office: N/A
Directed by Georges Méliès, this 6-minute film was one of the most ambitious of the era, using innovative trick photography and hand-coloured frames. Box office data was not tracked in early cinema.
Born in 1900
Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother
Wife of King George VI and mother of Queen Elizabeth II
Louis Mountbatten
Last Viceroy of India and uncle of Prince Philip
Aaron Copland
American composer of Appalachian Spring and Fanfare for the Common Man
Adlai Stevenson II
US presidential candidate and ambassador to the United Nations
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
French aviator and author of The Little Prince
Lost in 1900
Oscar Wilde
Irish playwright and wit, author of The Importance of Being Earnest
Age 46
Friedrich Nietzsche
German philosopher who declared 'God is dead'
Age 55
John Ruskin
Leading English art critic and social thinker of the Victorian era
Age 80
Casey Jones
American railroad engineer whose heroic death became a folk legend
Age 36
Technology in 1900
The telephone was spreading but still a luxury. Electric lighting was replacing gas in wealthier homes. The first Zeppelin airship took flight. Automobiles were rare curiosities for the rich, and most transport was horse-drawn.
- ● First Zeppelin airship flight (LZ 1) over Lake Constance
- ● Browning automatic pistol introduced
- ● Escalator debuts at the Paris Exposition
- ● Max Planck publishes quantum theory
Cost of Living in 1900
| Item | UK | US |
|---|---|---|
| Average house price | £150 | $2,800 |
| Average salary | £55 | $450 |
| Pint of milk | 1½d | 3¢ |
| Loaf of bread | 2½d | 5¢ |
| Dozen eggs | 8d | 14¢ |
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The Zeitgeist of 1900
The Victorian era was drawing to its close, with top hats, corsets, and formal manners still dominating daily life. The Boer War stirred patriotic fervour in Britain while America revelled in its post-Spanish-American War confidence. Ragtime music was beginning to filter into parlours, and the bicycle craze was reshaping how ordinary people moved around cities.
In the News in 1900
The Boxer Rebellion in China dominated international headlines as foreign legations in Peking were besieged. The Boer War dragged on with guerrilla tactics frustrating the British Army. In America, the Galveston hurricane was the deadliest natural disaster in US history, and the presidential election saw McKinley defeat Bryan for a second time.