The 1908 Summer Olympics (officially the Games of the IV Olympiad and also known as London 1908) were an international multi-sport event held in London, England, from 27 April to 31 October 1908. The 1908 Games were originally scheduled to be held in Rome. On 28 January 1906, it was announced that the 1908 Games were relocated on financial grounds. Rome eventually hosted the Games in 1960. These were the fourth chronological modern Summer Olympics in keeping with the now-accepted four-year cycle as opposed to the alternate four-year cycle of the proposed Intercalated Games. The IOC president for these Games was Baron Pierre de Coubertin. Lasting a total of 187 days (six months and four days), these were the longest Games in modern Olympics history.
IV Summer (Modern) Olympic Games open in London
The 1908 Summer Olympics (officially the Games of the IV Olympiad and also known as London 1908) were an international multi-sport event held in London, England, from 27 April to 31 October 1908.
Historical Significance
The 1908 Summer Olympics (officially the Games of the IV Olympiad and also known as London 1908) were an international multi-sport event held in London, England, from 27 April to 31 October 1908.
Events Before
Joe Gans lands a devastating right to the head of Canadian challenger Kid Herman to retain his world lightweight boxing
Joe Gans lands a devastating right to the head of Canadian challenger Kid Herman to retain his world lightweight boxing title with an 8th-round knockout in Tonopah, Nevada
American industrialist Henry J. Kaiser (24) weds Bess Fosburgh in Boston, Massachusetts
American industrialist Henry J. Kaiser (24) weds Bess Fosburgh in Boston, Massachusetts
Author Arthur Conan Doyle (48) weds Jean Elizabeth Leckie
Author Arthur Conan Doyle (48) weds Jean Elizabeth Leckie
Guglielmo Marconi's company begins the first commercial transatlantic wireless service between Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, C
Guglielmo Marconi's company begins the first commercial transatlantic wireless service between Glace Bay, Nova Scotia, Canada and Clifden, Ireland
A run on Knickerbocker Trust Company stock leads to a nationwide run on US banks and the Panic of 1907
A run on Knickerbocker Trust Company stock leads to a nationwide run on US banks and the Panic of 1907
Events After
American Robert Fowler runs the then-world-record marathon (2:52:45.4) at Yonkers, New York
American Robert Fowler runs the then-world-record marathon (2:52:45.4) at Yonkers, New York
Stepan Bandera is born
Stepan Bandera, Greek ukrainian nationalist leader, known for ukrainian nationalist leader, was born on 1909-01-01.
Ernest Shackleton, as part of the British Nimrod Expedition, reaches a record farthest southern latitude of 88°23' south
Sir Ernest Henry Shackleton (15 February 1874 – 5 January 1922) was an Anglo-Irish Antarctic explorer who led three British expeditions to the Antarctic.
Russian military forces invade northern Persia to support Mohammad Ali Shah's coup d'état against the constitutional gov
Russian military forces invade northern Persia to support Mohammad Ali Shah's coup d'état against the constitutional government in Persia and relieve the siege of Tabriz
Mien Wenneker, Dutch prince Henry's lover, weds Uncle Cornelis Abbo
Mien Wenneker, Dutch prince Henry's lover, weds Uncle Cornelis Abbo
More from the 1900s
First Powered Flight by the Wright Brothers
Orville and Wilbur Wright make the first controlled, sustained flight of a powered, heavier-than-air aircraft near Kitty Hawk, North Carolina.
Conference of 23 industrial trade unionists in Chicago, Illinois, issues the Industrial Union Manifesto, calling for a c
Conference of 23 industrial trade unionists in Chicago, Illinois, issues the Industrial Union Manifesto, calling for a convention in Chicago in June and laying the groundwork for the formation of the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW)
James Longstreet dies
James Longstreet, Confederate confederate army general, known for confederate army general, died on 1904-01-02.
1st Rose Bowl, Tournament Park, Pasadena, California: Michigan defeats Stanford 49-0; MVP: Michigan fullback Neil Snow
1st Rose Bowl, Tournament Park, Pasadena, California: Michigan defeats Stanford 49-0; MVP: Michigan fullback Neil Snow
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on April 27, 1908?
- The 1908 Summer Olympics (officially the Games of the IV Olympiad and also known as London 1908) were an international multi-sport event held in London, England, from 27 April to 31 October 1908. The 1908 Games were originally scheduled to be held in Rome. On 28 January 1906, it was announced that the 1908 Games were relocated on financial grounds.
- Why is IV Summer (Modern) Olympic Games open in London significant?
- The 1908 Summer Olympics (officially the Games of the IV Olympiad and also known as London 1908) were an international multi-sport event held in London, England, from 27 April to 31 October 1908.