1904 Fun Facts, Trivia and History
1904 History Roundup:
- January 7 – CQD Distress Signal Established: The maritime distress signal “CQD” was introduced, serving as a precursor to the “SOS” signal adopted in 1906.
- January 8 – Blackstone Library Dedicated: The Blackstone Library was dedicated, marking the beginning of the Chicago Public Library system.
- February 7 – Great Baltimore Fire: A devastating fire in Baltimore, Maryland, destroyed over 1,500 buildings in 30 hours, causing significant economic impact.
- February 8 – Russo-Japanese War Begins: The Battle of Port Arthur commenced as Japanese forces launched a surprise attack on the Russian naval base in Manchuria, marking the start of the Russo-Japanese War.
- February 23 – U.S. Acquires Panama Canal Zone: The United States gained control of the Panama Canal Zone for $10 million, facilitating the construction of the Panama Canal.
- April 30 – Louisiana Purchase Exposition Opens: The World’s Fair, also known as the St. Louis World’s Fair, opened in St. Louis, Missouri, showcasing cultural exhibits and technological innovations.
- May 4 – Construction of Panama Canal Begins: The United States commenced construction on the Panama Canal, aiming to create a crucial maritime shortcut between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.=
- June 15 – SS General Slocum Disaster: A fire aboard the steamboat SS General Slocum in New York City’s East River resulted in the deaths of over 1,000 passengers, predominantly women and children.
- July 1 – Third Modern Olympic Games Open: The 1904 Summer Olympics began in St. Louis, Missouri, marking the first time the Games were held outside Europe.
- July 21 – Trans-Siberian Railway Completed: After 13 years of construction, the 4,607-mile Trans-Siberian Railway was completed, connecting Moscow to Vladivostok and facilitating travel and trade across Russia.
- August 12-13 – Anthropology Days at the Olympics: As part of the 1904 World’s Fair, “Anthropology Days” featured indigenous people competing in various athletic events, reflecting the era’s ethnocentric attitudes.
- September 26 – Winston Churchill’s Political Debut: Future British Prime Minister Winston Churchill made his first political speech in Oldham, England, marking the beginning of his parliamentary career.
- October 27 – New York City Subway Opens: The first section of the New York City Subway opened, running from Lower Manhattan to Broadway Harlem, revolutionizing urban transportation.
- November 8 – Theodore Roosevelt Elected President: Theodore Roosevelt won the U.S. presidential election, securing his first full term after initially ascending to the presidency following William McKinley’s assassination.
- November 15 – King C. Gillette Patents Safety Razor: King Camp Gillette patented the safety razor, introducing a safer and more convenient shaving method that would become widely popular.
- December 10 – First Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine Awarded: The inaugural Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded to Ivan Pavlov for his work on the physiology of digestion.
- Entente Cordiale Signed: Britain and France settled their international differences by signing the Entente Cordiale, marking a significant improvement in Anglo-French relations.
- First New Year’s Eve Celebration in Times Square: The inaugural New Year’s Eve celebration was held in Times Square, New York City, beginning a tradition that continues to this day.
- Completion of the Trans-Siberian Railway: The Trans-Siberian Railway, spanning 4,607 miles, was completed, connecting Moscow to Vladivostok and facilitating travel and trade across Russia.
- Formation of FIFA: The Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) was established in Paris, France, to oversee international competition among national football associations.
Top Ten Baby Names of 1904
Mary, Helen, Anna, Margaret, Ruth, John, William, James, George, Robert
US Life Expectancy
(1904) Males: 46.2 years, Females: 49.1 years
Firsts, Inventions and Wonders
The term Banana Republic was created by author O. Henry while visiting Honduras. It describes a politically unstable country with an economy dependent upon exporting a limited-resource product like bananas.
Thomas Sullivan invented Tea Bags by accident. He wanted the small bags to be samples of the tea. People dunked them instead.
Peter Pan (or The Boy Who Wouldn’t Grow Up) by J.M. Barrie premiered at the Duke of York Theatre in London.
Order of Owls was founded in South Bend, Indiana.
King C. Gillette patented (#775,134) his Gillette razor blade.
On December 31, the first New Year’s Eve celebration was held in Times Square (then Longacre Square), New York City.
National Ski Association was formed in Ishpeming, Michigan.
Pi Kappa Phi Fraternity was founded at the College of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina.
The National Association for the Study and Prevention of Tuberculosis (now the American Lung Association) was founded.
Giacomo Puccini’s opera Madama Butterfly premiered in Milan.
Several people in the US and UK began selling Ice cream in edible cones, each claiming to be the inventor. We know it was presented during the St Louis World Fair, by Charles E. Menches.
The Bank of Italy (now Bank of America) opened in San Francisco.
The term “hangover” came into the vernacular. Before that, people felt “crapulous.”
British newspaper The Daily Mirror began publishing.
The T-shirt was invented in 1904 by the Cooper Underwear Company and marketed to bachelors who couldn’t sew or replace buttons.
The Most Popular Singers and Artists of 1904 include
Henry Burr, Enrico Caruso, Arthur Collins, S.H. Dudley, George J. Gaskin, Byron G. Harlan, The Hayden Quartet, Mina Hickman, Richard Jose, Harry Macdonough, Corrine Morgan, Billy Murray, J.W. Meyers, Vess Ossman, The Peerless Quartet, Arthur Pryor’s Band, Bob Roberts, Frank Stanley, Cal Stewart
Pop Culture Facts & History
Panama Canal construction began.
Louisiana Purchase Exposition (St. Louis World Fair) from April 30 to December 1, 1904. 19 million people from 63 countries attended
The third modern Olympic Games opened in St. Louis, Missouri. It was the first Olympic Games held outside Europe. The US won 239 of the 280 medals available. #hometeamadvantage
Dream of the Rarebit Fiend was a strange newspaper comic strip by Winsor McCay, begun September 10, 1904, and ran through 1925.
George Eyser, an American gymnast with a wooden leg, won six medals, including three gold, in a single day at the 1904 Olympics.
Lane Bryant should have been named Lena Bryant after its founder, but a bank officer misspelled her name when she opened an account in 1904.
The Horrible
Ota Benga, a Mbuti pygmy, was kidnapped from Congo and taken to the US, where he was exhibited with monkeys. He was freed by 1906, and his planned return to Africa was canceled due to WWI. He killed himself on March 20, 1916.
The Great Baltimore Fire raged in Baltimore, between February 7 and February 8, 1904. One thousand five hundred buildings in central Baltimore were destroyed, yet no one was killed.
Nobel Prize Winners
Physics – The Lord Rayleigh
Chemistry – Sir William Ramsay
Physiology or Medicine – Ivan Petrovich Pavlov
Literature – Frédéric Mistral and José Echegaray
Peace – Institut de Droit International
Popular and Best-selling Books From 1904
Fiction Bestsellers:
1. The Crossing by Winston Churchill
2. The Deliverance by Ellen Glasgow
3. The Masquerader by Anonymous (Katherine Cecil Thurston)
4. In the Bishop’s Carriage by Miriam Michelson
5. Sir Mortimer by Mary Johnston
6. Beverly of Graustark by George Barr McCutcheon
7. The Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come by John Fox Jr
8. Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm by Kate Douglas Wiggin
9. My Friend Prospero by Henry Harland
10. The Silent Places by Stewart Edward White
Other Books of Note
The Golden Bowl by Henry James
Mt.-St. Michel and Chartres by Henry Adams
Theory of Business Enterprise by Thorstein Veblen
The Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of Capitalism by Max Weber
Nostromo by Joseph Conrad
Sports
American League Baseball Champions: Boston Americans
National League Baseball Champions: Pittsburg Pirates
World Series Champions: Boston Americans
Challenge Cup Champs: Ottawa Hockey Club
U.S. Open Golf: Willie Anderson
U.S. Tennis (Men/Ladies): Holcombe Ward/May Sutton
Wimbledon (Men/Women): Laurence Doherty/Dorothea Douglass
NCAA Football Champions: Pennsylvania & Michigan
Kentucky Derby Winner: Elwood
Boston Marathon Winner: Michael Spring Time: 2:38:04
More 1904 Facts & History Resources:
Most Popular Baby Names (BabyCenter.com)
Popular and Notable Books (popculture.us)
Broadway Shows that Opened in 1904
1904 Calendar, courtesy of Time and Date.com
Fact Monster
Wikipedia 1904