Timeline

19th century

1. April 6, 1896 – April 15, 1896★★★★★

   First modern Olympic Games

   The first Summer Olympics of the modern era are held in Athens, organised by the International Olympic Committee.

   Culture· Greece
2. December 30, 1896★★★★★

   Execution of José Rizal

   Filipino writer and patriot José Rizal is executed by Spanish colonial authorities in Manila, galvanising the Philippine Revolution.

   DeathRevolution· Philippines, Spain
3. 1898★★★★★

   The Curies discover polonium and radium

   Marie and Pierre Curie discover two new radioactive elements, polonium and radium, advancing the study of radioactivity.

   Science· France
4. 1898★★★★★

   Hundred Days' Reform

   The Guangxu Emperor and Kang Youwei launch sweeping reforms, which Empress Dowager Cixi halts after about 100 days.

   Politics· China
5. April 1898 – December 10, 1898★★★★★

   Spanish–American War

   The United States defeats Spain, gaining Puerto Rico, Guam and the Philippines, while Cuba is freed from Spanish rule.

   War· United States, Spain, Cuba, Philippines, Puerto Rico
6. June 12, 1898★★★★★

   Philippine Declaration of Independence

   Emilio Aguinaldo proclaims the independence of the Philippines from Spain at Kawit, Cavite.

   RevolutionPolitics· Philippines, Spain
7. 1899 – 1901★★★★★

   Boxer Rebellion

   The anti-foreign Boxer movement besieges Beijing's legation quarter; an Eight-Nation Alliance intervenes and occupies Beijing in 1900.

   WarRevolution· China
8. 1899 – 1902★★★★★

   Philippine–American War

   After Spain cedes the Philippines to the United States, forces of the Philippine Republic fight American rule but are defeated.

   War· Philippines, United States
9. October 11, 1899 – May 31, 1902★★★★★

   Second Boer War

   The British Empire fought the Boer republics of the Transvaal and Orange Free State; the war ended with the Treaty of Vereeniging, after tens of thousands of civilians died in concentration camps.

   War· South Africa, United Kingdom
10. December 14, 1900★★★★★

    Planck's quantum hypothesis

    Max Planck presents the hypothesis that energy is emitted in discrete quanta, marking the birth of quantum physics.

    Science· Germany