Explore the major historical events, famous births, and notable deaths that occurred in the year 1899. This year saw 96 significant events. 21 notable figures were born.
The Military Government of the Philippine Islands (Spanish: Gobierno militar de los Estados Unidos en las Islas Filipinas; Tagalog: Pamahalaang Militar ng Estados Unidos sa Kapuluang Pilipinas) was a...
Rubber heel for boots or shoes is patented by American Humphrey O'Sullivan
Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), an organic compound that does not occur in nature, was first synthesised in 1899.
W. G. Grace's last day of Test cricket at age 50 years and 320 days
American businessman James Cash Penney (24) weds Bertha Alva Hess (29ish), until her death in 1910
African American inventor Isaac R. Johnson patents the bicycle frame
Ladysmith, officially known as uMnambithi since 2024, is a town that serves as the seat of both the Alfred Duma Local Municipality and the Uthukela District Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, South...
First known use of the word "automobile" appears in an editorial in The New York Times
Walter Chauncey Camp (April 7, 1859 – March 14, 1925) was an American college football player and coach, and sports writer known as the "Father of American Football".
Lynmouth Lifeboat rescues 18 people from the stricken schooner Forest Hall off the coast of Devon
Wake Island, also known as Wake Atoll (Chamorro: Islan Wake), is a coral atoll in the Micronesia subregion of the Pacific Ocean.
The Anglo-Egyptian Sudan was a condominium of the United Kingdom and Egypt between 1899 and 1956, corresponding to the territory of what is now both Sudans and parts of southeastern Libya.
Opel Automobile GmbH, usually shortened to Opel, is a German automobile manufacturer which has been a subsidiary of Stellantis since January 16, 2021.
Leaders of six Australian colonies meet in Melbourne to discuss confederation
Belgium government of Vandenpeereboom forms
American Social Science Association incorporated by Congress
The Australian Premiers' Conference held in Melbourne decides to locate Australia's capital (Canberra) between Sydney and Melbourne.
The Philippine Revolutionary Army (Spanish: Ejército Revolucionario Filipino; Tagalog: Hukbong Tagapagbangong Puri), later renamed Philippine Republican Army, was the army of the First Philippine...
-39°F (-39°C), Milligan, Ohio (state lowest record temperature)
-15°F (-26°C), Washington, D.C. (district record)
-47°F (-44°C), Camp Clarke, Nebraska (state record)
-16°F (-27°C), Minden Louisiana (state record)
US Congress begins using voting machines
Future England cricket captain Pelham Warner scores an unbeaten 132 on his Test debut in a 32 run win over South Africa in the 1st Test in Johannesburg
San Francisco, officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the fourth-most populous city in California and the 17th-most populous in the United States, with a population of 827,526 in 2024.
Ill Tel & Tel granted franchise for Chicago freight tunnel system
Western Washington University (WWU or Western) is a public university in Bellingham, Washington, United States.
Legislative Assembly of the Territory of New Mexico passes legislation founding the University of New Mexico, to be established in (or near) Albuquerque
Mount Rainier National Park is a national park of the United States located in southeast Pierce County and northeast Lewis County in the U.S. state of Washington.
Cyclone Mahina sweeps in north of Cooktown, Queensland, with a 12 m wave that reaches up to 5 km inland - over 300 dead.
1st performance of Edward MacDowell's 2nd Concerto in D
Windsor luxury hotel in NYC catches fire, 92 die
Phoebe is the most massive irregular satellite of Saturn with a mean diameter of 213 km (132 mi).
British & French accord over West Africa
NC Mutual opens doors for business
South Africa all out 35 vs England (Trott 4-19, Haigh 6-11)
The coat of arms of Puerto Rico was first granted by the Spanish Crown on November 8, 1511, making it the oldest heraldic achievement in use in the Americas.
John Joseph McGraw (April 7, 1873 – February 25, 1934) was an American Major League Baseball (MLB) player and manager who was for almost thirty years manager of the New York Giants.
Foundation of the Phonogrammarchiv of the Austrian Academy of Science, the world's first research sound archive (added to UNESCO's Memory of the World 1999) [1]
A lawn mower (also known as a grass cutter or simply mower, also often spelled lawnmower) is a device utilizing one or more revolving blades (or a reel) to cut a grass surface to an even height.
Victoria & Albert Museum foundation laid, London, England
World Goodwill Day: 26 nations meet at the First Hague Peace Conference
First speeding infraction by a New York cabbie driving an electric car - 12mph down Lexington Street
1st auto repair shop opens (Boston)
Lifts for the recently opened Eiffel Tower are ready, offering an option other than 1,710 steps, for visitors to get to top
-June 5] Conference of Bloemfontein fails
Black Americans observe a day of fasting in protest against lynchings
Improved Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks forms in Cincinnati
New Richmond Tornado: the eighth deadliest tornado in U.S. history kills 117 peoples and injures around 200
Brazo River in Texas floods 12 miles wide causing $10 million damage
Spin bowler Jack Hearne takes England cricket's first Test hat-trick vs Australia in drawn 3rd Test at Headingley; dismisses champion middle order trio Clem Hill, Syd Gregory and Monty Noble
Janesville is a city in and the county seat of Rock County, Wisconsin, United States.
National Brotherhood of Electrical Workers forms
First motorcycle race at Manhattan Beach, New York
Albert Edwin Trott (6 February 1873 – 30 July 1914) was a Test cricketer for both Australia and England. He was named as one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 1899.
Louisville's pitcher Henry Dowling struck out 5 times in a game
An 8.3-magnitude earthquake shakes Yakutat Bay, Alaska
Carnation is a brand of food products. The brand was especially known for its evaporated milk product created in 1899, then called Carnation Sterilized Cream and later called Carnation Evaporated...
The first modern humans are believed to have inhabited South Africa more than 100,000 years ago.
Second quake in seven days (magnitude 8.6) hits Yakutat Bay, Alaska
Mackinder, Ollier and Brocherel make the first ascent of Batian (5,199m - 17,058 ft), the highest peak of Mount Kenya
Henry Bliss becomes 1st recorded US death from an auto accident when he dies the day after being hit by a taxicab in New York City
First British troops leave Bombay for South Africa
Transvaal mobilizes its army in the lead-up to the Second Boer War
American Veterans of Foreign Service, later known as Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), support group is established in Columbus, Ohio, by a group of Spanish-American War veterans
The Boer Republic of the Orange Free State mobilizes its militia in preparation for a joint attack with the Transvaal Republic against British colonies in South Africa during the Second Boer War
A vacuum cleaner, also known simply as a vacuum (or a hoover in the UK), is a device that uses suction, and often agitation, in order to remove dirt and other debris from carpets, hard floors, and...
The first modern humans are believed to have inhabited South Africa more than 100,000 years ago.
The Second Boer War (Afrikaans: Tweede Vryheidsoorlog, lit. 'Second Freedom War', 11 October 1899 – 31 May 1902), also known as the Boer War, Transvaal War, Anglo–Boer War, or South African War, was...
The Boer republics were independent, self-governing republics formed by Dutch-speaking inhabitants of the Cape Colony and their descendants.
The first modern humans are believed to have inhabited South Africa more than 100,000 years ago.
MLB Cleveland Spiders close out the season by losing both ends of a doubleheader, 16-1 and 19-3, to the Cincinnati Reds on the road; Spiders end the year with a record of 20-134, still holding the record for the fewest wins [1]
Sutro Railroad is sold to Robert F. Morrow for $215,000
The America's Cup is a sailing competition and the oldest international competition still operating in any sport.
Battle of Elandslaagte, Natal (Boers vs. British Army)
British troops flee Dundee, Natal South Africa
Battle of Rietfontein, South Africa: Boers vs. British army
Boers begin siege of Ladysmith, Natal
Stuart/Rubens/Boyd-Jones' "Floradora" premieres in London
The Northern Natal Offensive (12 October 1899 – 10 June 1900) was a military invasion of the Northern region of Natal by the Boers of the Transvaal and the Orange Free State during the Second Boer...
Trumper scores 208 in 185 mins (1 five 25 fours) NSW v Qld
-23] Battle at Willow Grange, Natal (British vs Boer army)
The military history of Australia during the Boer War is complex, and includes a period of history in which the six formerly autonomous British Australian colonies federated to become the...
Battle at Graspan, Cape colony: General Methuen beats Farmers
Philippine–American War: The Battle of Tirad Pass, termed "The Filipino Thermopylae", is fought.
56th Congress (1899-1901) convenes
Siege of Ladysmith: Boer forces storm King's Post and Caesar's Camp but are driven back by British defenders
-15] British "Black Week" due to defeats in South Africa
1st case of plague on Oahu, Hawaii
Battle at Colenso, South Africa: British army defeated by Boer force
Italian football club A.C. Milan founded as Milan Foot-Ball and Cricket Club by Englishmen Alfred Edwards and Herbert Kilpin (disputed possibly 13 Dec)
Field Marshal Lord Roberts appointed British supreme commander in South Africa
British Field Marshal Lord Roberts departs Southampton for South Africa for the 2nd Boer War
Shelling on besieged Ladysmith during the Boer War includes one shell containing a plum pudding
Mafeking: Bathe-Powells failed assault up fort Game Tree: 24 killed
British fleet seizes German Imperial Mail Steamer Bundesrath accused of carrying contraband
Al Capone, American gangster and businessman, known for american gangster and businessman, was born on 1899-01-17.
Charles Best is born
Ina Boyle is born
Gloria Swanson, American actress, known for american actress, was born on 1899-03-27. Gloria Mae Josephine Swanson (March 27, 1899 – April 4, 1983) was an American actress.
Lavrentiy Beria soviet secret police chief, known for soviet secret police chief, was born on 1899-03-29. Lavrentiy Pavlovich Beria (29 March [O.S.
Percy Lavon Julian, American research chemist, known for american research chemist, was born on 1899-04-11.
Vladimir Nabokov, Russian american novelist, known for russian and american novelist, was born on 1899-04-22.
Leo Diegel, American athlete, known for american professional golfer, was born on 1899-04-27.
Duke Ellington, American musician, known for american jazz pianist and composer, was born on 1899-04-29.
Fred Astaire, American dancer and actor, known for american dancer and actor, was born on 1899-05-10.
Suzanne Lenglen, French athlete, known for french tennis player, was born on 1899-05-24. Suzanne Rachel Flore Lenglen was a French tennis player. She was the inaugural world No.
George Cukor, American film director and producer, known for american film director and producer, was born on 1899-07-07.
E. B. White, American author, known for american author, was born on 1899-07-11. Elwyn Brooks White (July 11, 1899 – October 1, 1985) was an American writer.
Clarence Kummer athlete, known for american jockey, was born on 1899-08-08. Clarence Joseph Kummer (August 8, 1899 – December 18, 1930) was a U.S.
Jorge Luis Borges, Argentine writer, known for argentine writer, was born on 1899-08-24.
Eugene Ormandy, American musician, known for hungarian-american conductor and violinist, was born on 1899-11-18.
Hoagy Carmichael, American musician, known for american composer, pianist, singer, actor and bandleader, was born on 1899-11-22.
Noël Coward, English playwright, composer, actor, known for english playwright, composer, actor, was born on 1899-12-16.
Humphrey Bogart, American actor, known for american actor, was born on 1899-12-25. Humphrey DeForest Bogart (December 25, 1899 – January 14, 1957), nicknamed Bogie, was an American actor.
Charles Laughton, American american actor, known for british and american actor, was born on 1899-07-01. Charles Laughton (1 July 1899 – 15 December 1962) was a British and American actor.
Billy Rose, American impresario, theatrical showman and lyricist, known for american impresario, theatrical showman and lyricist, was born on 1899-09-06.
The Military Government of the Philippine Islands (Spanish: Gobierno militar de los Estados Unidos en las Islas Filipinas; Tagalog: Pamahalaang Militar ng Estados Unidos sa Kapuluang Pilipinas) was a...
Rubber heel for boots or shoes is patented by American Humphrey O'Sullivan
Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid), an organic compound that does not occur in nature, was first synthesised in 1899.
W. G. Grace's last day of Test cricket at age 50 years and 320 days
American businessman James Cash Penney (24) weds Bertha Alva Hess (29ish), until her death in 1910
African American inventor Isaac R. Johnson patents the bicycle frame
Ladysmith, officially known as uMnambithi since 2024, is a town that serves as the seat of both the Alfred Duma Local Municipality and the Uthukela District Municipality in KwaZulu-Natal, South...
First known use of the word "automobile" appears in an editorial in The New York Times
Walter Chauncey Camp (April 7, 1859 – March 14, 1925) was an American college football player and coach, and sports writer known as the "Father of American Football".
Lynmouth Lifeboat rescues 18 people from the stricken schooner Forest Hall off the coast of Devon
Wake Island, also known as Wake Atoll (Chamorro: Islan Wake), is a coral atoll in the Micronesia subregion of the Pacific Ocean.
The Anglo-Egyptian Sudan was a condominium of the United Kingdom and Egypt between 1899 and 1956, corresponding to the territory of what is now both Sudans and parts of southeastern Libya.
Opel Automobile GmbH, usually shortened to Opel, is a German automobile manufacturer which has been a subsidiary of Stellantis since January 16, 2021.
Leaders of six Australian colonies meet in Melbourne to discuss confederation
Belgium government of Vandenpeereboom forms
American Social Science Association incorporated by Congress
The Australian Premiers' Conference held in Melbourne decides to locate Australia's capital (Canberra) between Sydney and Melbourne.
The Philippine Revolutionary Army (Spanish: Ejército Revolucionario Filipino; Tagalog: Hukbong Tagapagbangong Puri), later renamed Philippine Republican Army, was the army of the First Philippine...
-39°F (-39°C), Milligan, Ohio (state lowest record temperature)
-15°F (-26°C), Washington, D.C. (district record)
-47°F (-44°C), Camp Clarke, Nebraska (state record)
-16°F (-27°C), Minden Louisiana (state record)
US Congress begins using voting machines
Future England cricket captain Pelham Warner scores an unbeaten 132 on his Test debut in a 32 run win over South Africa in the 1st Test in Johannesburg
San Francisco, officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the fourth-most populous city in California and the 17th-most populous in the United States, with a population of 827,526 in 2024.
Ill Tel & Tel granted franchise for Chicago freight tunnel system
Western Washington University (WWU or Western) is a public university in Bellingham, Washington, United States.
Legislative Assembly of the Territory of New Mexico passes legislation founding the University of New Mexico, to be established in (or near) Albuquerque
Mount Rainier National Park is a national park of the United States located in southeast Pierce County and northeast Lewis County in the U.S. state of Washington.
Cyclone Mahina sweeps in north of Cooktown, Queensland, with a 12 m wave that reaches up to 5 km inland - over 300 dead.
1st performance of Edward MacDowell's 2nd Concerto in D
Windsor luxury hotel in NYC catches fire, 92 die
Phoebe is the most massive irregular satellite of Saturn with a mean diameter of 213 km (132 mi).
British & French accord over West Africa
NC Mutual opens doors for business
South Africa all out 35 vs England (Trott 4-19, Haigh 6-11)
The coat of arms of Puerto Rico was first granted by the Spanish Crown on November 8, 1511, making it the oldest heraldic achievement in use in the Americas.
John Joseph McGraw (April 7, 1873 – February 25, 1934) was an American Major League Baseball (MLB) player and manager who was for almost thirty years manager of the New York Giants.
Foundation of the Phonogrammarchiv of the Austrian Academy of Science, the world's first research sound archive (added to UNESCO's Memory of the World 1999) [1]
A lawn mower (also known as a grass cutter or simply mower, also often spelled lawnmower) is a device utilizing one or more revolving blades (or a reel) to cut a grass surface to an even height.
Victoria & Albert Museum foundation laid, London, England
World Goodwill Day: 26 nations meet at the First Hague Peace Conference
First speeding infraction by a New York cabbie driving an electric car - 12mph down Lexington Street
1st auto repair shop opens (Boston)
Lifts for the recently opened Eiffel Tower are ready, offering an option other than 1,710 steps, for visitors to get to top
-June 5] Conference of Bloemfontein fails
Black Americans observe a day of fasting in protest against lynchings
Improved Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks forms in Cincinnati
New Richmond Tornado: the eighth deadliest tornado in U.S. history kills 117 peoples and injures around 200
Brazo River in Texas floods 12 miles wide causing $10 million damage
Spin bowler Jack Hearne takes England cricket's first Test hat-trick vs Australia in drawn 3rd Test at Headingley; dismisses champion middle order trio Clem Hill, Syd Gregory and Monty Noble
Janesville is a city in and the county seat of Rock County, Wisconsin, United States.
National Brotherhood of Electrical Workers forms
First motorcycle race at Manhattan Beach, New York
Albert Edwin Trott (6 February 1873 – 30 July 1914) was a Test cricketer for both Australia and England. He was named as one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 1899.
Louisville's pitcher Henry Dowling struck out 5 times in a game
An 8.3-magnitude earthquake shakes Yakutat Bay, Alaska
Carnation is a brand of food products. The brand was especially known for its evaporated milk product created in 1899, then called Carnation Sterilized Cream and later called Carnation Evaporated...
The first modern humans are believed to have inhabited South Africa more than 100,000 years ago.
Second quake in seven days (magnitude 8.6) hits Yakutat Bay, Alaska
Mackinder, Ollier and Brocherel make the first ascent of Batian (5,199m - 17,058 ft), the highest peak of Mount Kenya
Henry Bliss becomes 1st recorded US death from an auto accident when he dies the day after being hit by a taxicab in New York City
First British troops leave Bombay for South Africa
Transvaal mobilizes its army in the lead-up to the Second Boer War
American Veterans of Foreign Service, later known as Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), support group is established in Columbus, Ohio, by a group of Spanish-American War veterans
The Boer Republic of the Orange Free State mobilizes its militia in preparation for a joint attack with the Transvaal Republic against British colonies in South Africa during the Second Boer War
A vacuum cleaner, also known simply as a vacuum (or a hoover in the UK), is a device that uses suction, and often agitation, in order to remove dirt and other debris from carpets, hard floors, and...
The first modern humans are believed to have inhabited South Africa more than 100,000 years ago.
The Second Boer War (Afrikaans: Tweede Vryheidsoorlog, lit. 'Second Freedom War', 11 October 1899 – 31 May 1902), also known as the Boer War, Transvaal War, Anglo–Boer War, or South African War, was...
The Boer republics were independent, self-governing republics formed by Dutch-speaking inhabitants of the Cape Colony and their descendants.
The first modern humans are believed to have inhabited South Africa more than 100,000 years ago.
MLB Cleveland Spiders close out the season by losing both ends of a doubleheader, 16-1 and 19-3, to the Cincinnati Reds on the road; Spiders end the year with a record of 20-134, still holding the record for the fewest wins [1]
Sutro Railroad is sold to Robert F. Morrow for $215,000
The America's Cup is a sailing competition and the oldest international competition still operating in any sport.
Battle of Elandslaagte, Natal (Boers vs. British Army)
British troops flee Dundee, Natal South Africa
Battle of Rietfontein, South Africa: Boers vs. British army
Boers begin siege of Ladysmith, Natal
Stuart/Rubens/Boyd-Jones' "Floradora" premieres in London
The Northern Natal Offensive (12 October 1899 – 10 June 1900) was a military invasion of the Northern region of Natal by the Boers of the Transvaal and the Orange Free State during the Second Boer...
Trumper scores 208 in 185 mins (1 five 25 fours) NSW v Qld
-23] Battle at Willow Grange, Natal (British vs Boer army)
The military history of Australia during the Boer War is complex, and includes a period of history in which the six formerly autonomous British Australian colonies federated to become the...
Battle at Graspan, Cape colony: General Methuen beats Farmers
Philippine–American War: The Battle of Tirad Pass, termed "The Filipino Thermopylae", is fought.
56th Congress (1899-1901) convenes
Siege of Ladysmith: Boer forces storm King's Post and Caesar's Camp but are driven back by British defenders
-15] British "Black Week" due to defeats in South Africa
1st case of plague on Oahu, Hawaii
Battle at Colenso, South Africa: British army defeated by Boer force
Italian football club A.C. Milan founded as Milan Foot-Ball and Cricket Club by Englishmen Alfred Edwards and Herbert Kilpin (disputed possibly 13 Dec)
Field Marshal Lord Roberts appointed British supreme commander in South Africa
British Field Marshal Lord Roberts departs Southampton for South Africa for the 2nd Boer War
Shelling on besieged Ladysmith during the Boer War includes one shell containing a plum pudding
Mafeking: Bathe-Powells failed assault up fort Game Tree: 24 killed
British fleet seizes German Imperial Mail Steamer Bundesrath accused of carrying contraband
Al Capone, American gangster and businessman, known for american gangster and businessman, was born on 1899-01-17.
Charles Best is born
Ina Boyle is born
Gloria Swanson, American actress, known for american actress, was born on 1899-03-27. Gloria Mae Josephine Swanson (March 27, 1899 – April 4, 1983) was an American actress.
Lavrentiy Beria soviet secret police chief, known for soviet secret police chief, was born on 1899-03-29. Lavrentiy Pavlovich Beria (29 March [O.S.
Percy Lavon Julian, American research chemist, known for american research chemist, was born on 1899-04-11.
Vladimir Nabokov, Russian american novelist, known for russian and american novelist, was born on 1899-04-22.
Leo Diegel, American athlete, known for american professional golfer, was born on 1899-04-27.
Duke Ellington, American musician, known for american jazz pianist and composer, was born on 1899-04-29.
Fred Astaire, American dancer and actor, known for american dancer and actor, was born on 1899-05-10.
Suzanne Lenglen, French athlete, known for french tennis player, was born on 1899-05-24. Suzanne Rachel Flore Lenglen was a French tennis player. She was the inaugural world No.
George Cukor, American film director and producer, known for american film director and producer, was born on 1899-07-07.
E. B. White, American author, known for american author, was born on 1899-07-11. Elwyn Brooks White (July 11, 1899 – October 1, 1985) was an American writer.
Clarence Kummer athlete, known for american jockey, was born on 1899-08-08. Clarence Joseph Kummer (August 8, 1899 – December 18, 1930) was a U.S.
Jorge Luis Borges, Argentine writer, known for argentine writer, was born on 1899-08-24.
Eugene Ormandy, American musician, known for hungarian-american conductor and violinist, was born on 1899-11-18.
Hoagy Carmichael, American musician, known for american composer, pianist, singer, actor and bandleader, was born on 1899-11-22.
Noël Coward, English playwright, composer, actor, known for english playwright, composer, actor, was born on 1899-12-16.
Humphrey Bogart, American actor, known for american actor, was born on 1899-12-25. Humphrey DeForest Bogart (December 25, 1899 – January 14, 1957), nicknamed Bogie, was an American actor.
Charles Laughton, American american actor, known for british and american actor, was born on 1899-07-01. Charles Laughton (1 July 1899 – 15 December 1962) was a British and American actor.
Billy Rose, American impresario, theatrical showman and lyricist, known for american impresario, theatrical showman and lyricist, was born on 1899-09-06.