1907

Jan 21  Korea's king, or emperor, Gojong (also Gwangmu), has made statements hostile to the Japanese to international newsmen, such as, "The United States does not realize what Japan's policy in the Far East is and what it portends for the American people. The Japanese adopted a policy that in the end will give her complete control over commerce and industry in the Far East." The Japanese force his abdication and will keep him confined to his palace until his death in 1919.

Feb 24  In an agreement with the US, Japan promises to restrict the emigration of Japanese laborers to the United States but allows the emigration of wives, children and parents of Japanese already in the United States. Some in the US are describing the few Japanese among them as agents of Japan's emperor.

Mar 5  In Russia, the new Duma in opened in St. Petersburg, and Russian troops disperse 40,000 demonstrators

Mar 16  In Finland, elections to a new parliament are the first in the world with universal suffrage and women candidates. Nineteen women are elected.

Mar 22  Taxis with meters begin operating in London.

Mar 29  In Romania, class unrest in the countryside has turned violent and has spread. A few city dwellers own much of the country's agricultural land. issues have been the leasing of lands to peasants, desire for land and fear of unemployment and hunger. Authorities blame the revolt on Jews. Foreign revolutionaries are also blamed. The uprising is to be called the Great Romanian Peasant Revolt of 1907. Romania's army is mobilized, and in the coming days it will sabre and shoot peasants. Historians will put the number of deaths between 3,000 and 18,000, with the most common figure at 11,000.

Jun 3  In Russia, Prime Minister Stolypin has accused Social Democrats of preparing an armed uprising. He demands the exclusion of 55 of their representatives from the tsar's legislative body, the Duma. The Duma refuses. Stolypin and the tsar dissolve the Duma.

Date Unknown   This year the American chemist Bertram Boltwood discovers the rate at which the radioactive element s uranium and thorium break down. He finds lead to be the final product of radioactive decay, and he uses the proportion of lead in uranium ores in rocks as a measure of time. This allows geologists to date the earth's age at 2.2 billion years. Eventually the age will be extended to 4.4 billion.

Jul 29  Since May 9 the labor leader Bill Haywood has been on trial for the murder of Steunenberg. The witness for the prosecution is a confessed participant in murder, Albert Horsley, who has describes Hayward as having ordered the murder. Haywood is represented by the famous lawyer Clarence Darrow . His cross examination of Horsely leaves the jury with the impression that Horsley's testimony is worthless. Haywood appears to have been framed and is found not guilty. Of the other two union leaders charged with Steunenberg's murder, George Pettibone will be acquitted in January and charges against Charles Moyer will be dropped.

Aug 1  Japan's order that the Korean army disband creates a rebellion within the Korean army, and disorder spreads through the country, countered with violence by the Japanese.

Aug 31  With Russia's defeat by Japan, the British see Russia as less of a threat to their interests. Britain signs a treaty with Russia. Russia agrees that Britain should have controlling influence in Afghanistan and Tibet, and the two powers end their rivalry in Iran by dividing that land into two zones of influence.

Sep 8  Catholic "modernists" have been trying to institute what they consider intellectual reforms. Thirty-eight of their 65 proposals are biblical criticisms, Pope Pius X labels these proposals as heretical. In an encyclical the pope describes "modernism" as an alliance between faith and false philosophy.

Sep 26  New Zealand rises above colony status and joins Britain's Commonwealth, as does Newfoundland.

Oct 15-16  In the US, financial manipulations create what will be called a Bankers' Panic. The New York Stock Exchange falls to almost 50 percent of its peak in 1906. There will be numerous runs on banks and trust companies.

Oct 17  Marconi initiates commercial transatlantic radio communications between Clifden Ireland and Glace Bay, Nova Scotia.

Nov 1  In Russia, Tsar Nicholas has given greater electoral value to the votes of nobility and landowners. These conservatives will dominate a new "Third Duma." Meanwhile, the tsar's police are cracking down on leftists. Jews are being attacked in Odessa.

Nov 16  In the US, Oklahoma becomes the 46th state.

Dec 6  A coal mine explosion kills 362 workers in Monongah, West Virginia.

Dec 19  A coal mine explosion kills 239 in Jacobs Creek, Pennsylvania.

Dec 21  In Chile, soldiers shoot at striking mine workers, killing more than 2000.

Dec 21  Klara Hitler dies of cancer after expressing concern about the well being of her 18-year-old son Adolf. Adolf is grief stricken.

Dec 31  By now, eight percent of US households are wired for electricity.

to 1906 | to 1908

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