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The Maine explodes
A massive explosion of unknown origin sinks the battleship USS Maine in Cuba’s Havana harbor, killing 260 of the fewer than 400 American crew members aboard. -
Boer War begins in South Africa
The South African Boer War begins between the British Empire and the Boers of the Transvaal and Orange Free State. -
A Deadly hurricane destroys Galveston
Killed an estimate of 6,000 to 8,000 people -
First barrel ride down niagara falls
a 63-year-old schoolteacher named Annie Edson Taylor becomes the first person to take the plunge over Niagara Falls in a barrel. -
Earthquake rocks Guatemala
More than 2,000 people were killed and 50,000 left homeless by the destruction. -
First airplane flies
North Carolina, Orville and Wilbur Wright make the first successful flight in history of a self-propelled, heavier-than-air aircraft. Orville piloted the gasoline-powered, propeller-driven biplane, which stayed aloft for 12 seconds and covered 120 feet on its inaugural flight. -
River excursion ends in tragedy
1,000 people taking a trip on New York City’s East River are drowned or burned to death when a fire starts on the boat. This was one of the United States worst maritime disasters. -
Teddy Roosevelt discusses America’s Race problem
Teddy gives a speech to the country's current state of race relations and his plan to improve them. -
Mine explosion
A mine disaster kills over 1,000 workers in Courrieres, France. A underground fire sparked a massive explosion that virtually destroyed a vast maze of mines. -
Oklahoma enters the union
indian territory and oklahoma territory collectively enter the united states as Oklahoma the 46th state -
Ford Motor Company unveils the Model T
It was the longest production run of any automobile model in history until the Volkswagen Beetle surpassed it in 1972. -
The Wright Brothers test flight
the age of aviation took flight with airplanes invented by Orville and Wilbur Wright. -
Congress passes mann Act
which was ostensibly aimed at keeping innocent girls from being lured into prostitution, but really offered a way to make a crime out of many kinds of consensual sexual activity. -
Ronald reagan born
As the 40th president of the United States, the former movie star was called the “Great Communicator” for his ability to get through to ordinary Americans and give them hope and optimism for their own future and that of their country. -
The first Balkan war ends
a peace treaty is signed ending the First Balkan War
