- 1900
| Jan 02 | Secretary of State John Hay announced the "Open Door Policy" to facilitate trade with China. | Ref: 70 |
| Jan 12 | Freeland Colony founded in US. | Ref: 5 |
| Jan 16 | The U.S. Senate recognizes the Anglo-German Treaty of 1899 by which the UK renounced its rights to the Samoan Islands. | Ref: 2 |
| Jan 27 | Social Democrat Party of America (Debs' party) holds first convention. | Ref: 5 |
| Feb 05 | The United States and Great Britain sign the Hay-Pauncefote Treaty, giving the United States the right to build a canal in Nicaragua but not to fortify it. | Ref: 2 |
| Feb 06 | President McKinley appoints W.H. Taft commissioner to report on the Philippines. | Ref: 2 |
| Mar 03 | US Steel Corporation organizes. | Ref: 5 |
| Mar 05 | American Hall of Fame is founded. | Ref: 5 |
| Mar 24 | Andrew Carnegie incorporates Carnegie Steel. | Ref: 3 |
| Mar 25 | US Socialist Party is formed at Indpls. | Ref: 5 |
| Apr 11 | US Navy's first submarine made its debut. | Ref: 5 |
| Apr 17 | 7 high chiefs of American Samoa sign Instrument of Cession. | Ref: 5 |
| Apr 23 | The word, hillbilly, was first used in print in an article in the New York Journal. It was spelled a little differently, as the story said that a Hill-Billie was a “free and untrampled white citizen of Alabama who lived in the hills.” The article continued that “he has no means to speak of, dresses as he can, talks as he pleases, drinks whiskey when he gets it and fires off his revolver as the fancy takes him.” | Ref: 4 |
| May 31 | U.S. troops arrive in Peking to help put down the Boxer Rebellion. | Ref: 2 |
| Jun 04 | (or the 5th or 6th, depending upon the reference) American Christian temperance leader Carry Nation, 53, raided and wrecks her first saloon in Kiowa KS. (Kansas, at the time, was dry but the laws were ignored.) (Grace, Fran, "Carry A Nation", ISBN 0-253-33846-8, ©2001) | |
| Jun 21 | General Arthur MacArthur offers amnesty to Filipinos rebelling against American rule. | Ref: 2 |
| Jun 26 | The United States announces it will send troops to fight against the Boxer Rebellion in China. | Ref: 2 |
| Aug 14 | International forces, including U.S. Marines, entered Beijing to put down the Boxer Rebellion, which was aimed at purging China of foreigners. | Ref: 70 |
| Nov 27 | Social Democrat Party of America (Debs' party) holds first convention. | Ref: 5 |
| Dec 12 | Charles M. Schwab forms the United States Steel Corporation; bringing together John Pierpont Morgan and Andrew Carnegie to create one of the richest and most powerful companies in the world. | Ref: 4 |
| Dec 17 | New Ellis Island Immigration station completed costing $1.5 million. | Ref: 5 |
| Dec 27 | Carrie Nation stages a raid on a saloon at the Carey Hotel in Wichita, Kansas. She breaks each and every one of the liquor bottles she could see, which means, about all of them behind the bar, for sure. Nation usually did her damage with a hatchet; calling her vandalism, hatchetation. (Kansas, at the time, was dry but the laws were ignored.) (Grace, Fran, "Carry A Nation", ISBN 0-253-33846-8, ©2001) | |
- 1901
| Jan 10 | Greatest oil strike in history at Spindletop well in Beaumont, Texas at 10:30 a.m. | Ref: 17 |
| Jan 30 | Women Prohibitionists smash 12 saloons in Kansas. | Ref: 2 |
| Feb 05 | J. Pierpont Morgan forms U.S. Steel Corp. after buying Pittsburgh Steel and mines for $1 billion. | Ref: 10 |
| Feb 25 | US Steel Corp organizes under directorship of J P Morgan. | Ref: 5 |
| Mar 02 | U.S. Division of Forestry becomes the US Bureau of Forestry (Forest Service). | Ref: 39 |
| Mar 02 | Congress passes the Platt amendment, which limits Cuban autonomy as a condition for withdrawal of U.S. troops. | Ref: 2 |
| Mar 03 | Congress creates National Bureau of Standards, in Department of Commerce. | Ref: 5 |
| Mar 04 | Term of George H White, last of post-Reconstruction congressmen, ends. | Ref: 5 |
| Mar 23 | A group of U.S. Army soldier led by Brig. Gen. Frederick Funston capture Emilio Aguinaldo, the leader of the Philippine Insurrection of 1899. | Ref: 2 |
| Jun 12 | Cuba agrees to become an American protectorate by accepting the Platt Amendment. | Ref: 2 |
| Aug 09 | Oklahoma Territory gains 2 million acres; lands bought from Comanche, Kiowa and Apaches for $2M. | Ref: 10 |
| Sep 28 | Gillette safety razor company incorporated. | Ref: 10 |
| Oct 03 | The Victor Talking Machine Company was incorporated on this day. After a merger with Radio Corporation of America, RCA-Victor became the leader in phonographs and many of the records played on them. The famous Victrola phonograph logo, with Nipper the dog, and the words “His Master’s Voice”, appeared on all RCA-Victor phonographs and record labels. | Ref: 4 |
| Oct 24 | Eastman Kodak Company incorporated in Trenton, NJ; Kodak brownies on sale for $1.00 | Ref: 10 |
| Nov 18 | The second Hay-Pauncefote Treaty is signed. The United States is given extensive rights by Britain for building and operating a canal through Central America. | Ref: 2 |
| Nov 27 | The U.S. Army War College was established in Washington, D.C. | Ref: 70 |
- 1902
| Jan 04 | France offers to sell their Nicaraguan Canal rights to the United States. | Ref: 2 |
| Jan 18 | The Isthmus Canal Commission in Washington shifts its support from Nicaragua to Panama as a favored canal site. | Ref: 2 |
| Jan 24 | Denmark sells Virgin Islands to USA. | Ref: 5 |
| Jan 28 | The Carnegie Institution was established in Washington DC. It began with a gift of $10 million, compliments of Andrew Carnegie. | Ref: 4 |
| Feb 01 | U.S. Secretary of State John Hay protests Russian privileges in China as a violation of the "open door policy." | Ref: 2 |
| Feb 22 | A fistfight breaks out in the Senate. Senator Benjamin Tillman suffers a bloody nose for accusing Senator John McLaurin of bias on the Philippine tariff issue. | Ref: 2 |
| Feb 28 | Senators Benjamin Tillman and John McLaurin were censured for engaging in fisticuffs in the Senate chamber. (XDG, p 4A, 2/28/2001) | Ref: 83 |
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| Apr 07 | Texas Oil Company (Texaco) forms. | Ref: 5 |
| Apr 13 | J.C. Penny opens his first store in Kemmerer, Wyoming. | Ref: 2 |
| Apr 14 | J.C. (James Cash) Penney opened his first store, called "The Golden Rule" -- in Kemmerer Wyoming. In partnership with Thomas M. Callahan and William Guy Johnson, Penney named the store "Golden Rule". The dry goods and clothing store had a first-year profit of $8,514.36 on sales of $28,898.11. | Ref: 4 |
| Jun 02 | 2nd statewide initiative & referendum law adopted, in Oregon. | Ref: 5 |
| Jun 13 | 3M (Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing) founded by five businessmen; now has 50,000 products. | Ref: 10 |
| Jun 28 | Congress passes the Spooner bill, authorizing a canal to be built across the isthmus of Panama. | Ref: 2 |
| Aug 25 | The first Arabic daily newspaper in the U.S., Al-Hoda, begins publication in New York City. | Ref: 4 |
| Sep 17 | U.S. troops are sent to Panama to keep train lines open over the isthmus as Panamanian nationals struggle for independence from Colombia. | Ref: 2 |
- 1903
| Jan 09 | Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota established. | Ref: 5 |
| Jan 24 | U.S. Secretary of State John Hay and British Ambassador Herbert create a joint commission to establish the Alaskan border. | Ref: 2 |
| Feb 09 | Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota established. | Ref: 5 |
| Feb 11 | Congress passes the Expedition Act, giving antitrust cases priority in the courts. | Ref: 2 |
| Feb 14 | Congress follows the lead of President Theodore Roosevelt and passes legislation that giving birth to the Department of Commerce and Labor, as well as the Bureau of Corporations. | Ref: 3 |
| Feb 15 | The first Teddy Bear introduced in America, made by Morris & Rose Michtom. | Ref: 5 |
| Feb 21 | Cornerstone laid for US army war college, Washington DC. | Ref: 5 |
| Feb 23 | Cuban state of Guantanamo leased to USA. | Ref: 5 |
| Feb 24 | The United States signs an agreement acquiring a naval station at Guantanamo Bay in Cuba. | Ref: 5 |
| Mar 14 | First national bird reservation established in Sebastian FL. | Ref: 5 |
| Mar 19 | The U.S. Senate ratifies the Cuban treaty, gaining naval bases in Guantanamo and Bahia Honda. | Ref: 2 |
| May 23 | First direct primary election law in US adopted, by Wisconsin. | Ref: 5 |
| Jul 04 | Pacific Cable (San Francisco, Hawaii, Guam, Phillipines) opens. President Roosevelt sends a message to the Phillipines, then a message around the world in 12 minutes. | Ref: 5 |
| Nov 18 | The Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty is signed, granting the United States a strip of land across the Isthmus of Panama and the right to build and fortify the Panama Canal. | Ref: 2 |
| Dec 18 | U.S.-Panama Treaty places Canal Zone in U.S. hands. | Ref: 10 |
| Dec 30 | American Political Science Association founded at New Orleans LA. | Ref: 5 |
- 1904
| Jan 02 | U.S. Marines are sent to Santo Domingo to aid the government against rebel forces. | Ref: 2 |
| Jan 05 | American Marines arrive in Seoul, Korea, to guard the U.S. legation there. | Ref: 2 |
| Feb 03 | Colombian troops clash with U.S. Marines in Panama. | Ref: 2 |
| Feb 05 | American occupation of Cuba ends. | Ref: 5 |
| Feb 11 | President Theodore Roosevelt proclaims strict neutrality for the United States in the Russo-Japanese War. | Ref: 2 |
| Feb 21 | The National Ski Association is formed in Ishpeming, MI. | Ref: 4 |
| Feb 23 | William Randolph Hearst's San Francisco Chronicle began publishing articles on the menace of Japanese laborers, leading to a resolution of the California Legislature that action be taken against their
immigration. | Ref: 59 |
| Feb 23 | Control of the Panama Canal Zone is acquired by the US for $10 million. | Ref: 5 |
| Feb 29 | President Theodore Roosevelt appoints a seven-member commission to facilitate completion of the Panama Canal. | Ref: 70 |
| Apr 23 | U.S. acquires property of French Panama Canal Company. | Ref: 10 |
| May 07 | Flexible Flyer trademark registered. | Ref: 5 |
| May 08 | US Marines land in Tangier, North Africa, to protect the Belgian legation. | Ref: 2 |
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| Jul 16 | Islands of the Manu'a group (Samoa) ceded to US by their chiefs. | Ref: 5 |
| Sep 11 | The battleship Connecticut, launched in NY, introduces a new era in naval construction. | Ref: 2 |
| Oct 19 | American Tobacco Company incorporated. | Ref: 10 |
| Oct 21 | Panamanians clash with U.S. Marines in Panama in a brief uprising. | Ref: 2 |
| Dec 06 | Theodore Roosevelt confirms Monroe-doctrine (Roosevelt Corollary). | Ref: 5 |
- 1905
| Jan 31 | Carroll Wright appointed first US Commissioner of Labor. | Ref: 5 |
| Feb 07 | Dominican Republic signs treaty turning over customs collection to US. | Ref: 5 |
| Feb 16 | First US Esperanto club organizes in Boston. | Ref: 5 |
| Feb 23 | The Rotary Club was founded in Chicago, IL by Attorney Paul Harris. A national association of the very popular civic club was formed in 1910. In 1922 the organization which was for men only, adopted the name Rotary International. It continues with millions of members throughout the world -- both men and women. | Ref: 4 |
| Apr 09 | The first aerial ferry bridge went into operation -- in Duluth, Minnesota. | Ref: 4 |
| May 05 | Robert S Abbott published first issue of newspaper "Chicago Defender". | Ref: 5 |
| May 15 | Las Vegas, Nevada was founded | Ref: 5 |
| Jun 10 | First forest fire lookout tower placed in operation, Greenville, Me. | Ref: 5 |
| Jun 10 | Japan and Russia agree to peace talks brokered by President Theodore Roosevelt. | Ref: 2 |
| Jul 08 | Part of Angel Island allocated for Immigration Detention Center. | Ref: 5 |
| Sep 06 | Atlanta Life Insurance Company established. | Ref: 5 |
| Sep 13 | U.S. warships head to Nicaragua on behalf of American William Albers, who was accused of evading tobacco taxes. | Ref: 2 |
- 1906
| Feb 01 | First federal penitentiary building completed, Leavenworth KS. | Ref: 5 |
| Mar 17 | President Theodore Roosevelt coined the word ‘muckrake’ in a speech that he delivered to the Gridiron Club in Washington, DC. | Ref: 4 |
| Apr 14 | President Theodore Roosevelt denounces "muckrakers" in US press. | Ref: 5 |
| May 19 | The Federated Boys' Clubs, forerunner of the Boys' Clubs of America is organized. | Ref: 5 |
| May 26 | Archaeological Institute of America forms. | Ref: 5 |
| Jun 29 | President Theodore Roosevelt signs bill establishing Mesa Verde National Park | Ref: 62 |
| Aug 13 | Black soldiers raid Brownsville Texas. | Ref: 5 |
| Aug 15 | First freight delivery tunnel system begins, underneath Chicago. | Ref: 5 |
| Sep 28 | US troops reoccupy Cuba, stay until 1909. | Ref: 5 |
| Oct 03 | One of the nation’s pioneer retailers, W.T. Grant, opened a 25-cent department store on this day. | Ref: 4 |
| Nov 06 | Republican Charles Evans Hughes was elected governor of NY, defeating newspaper publisher William Randolph Hearst. | Ref: 5 |
| Nov 21 | In San Juan, President Theodore Roosevelt pledges citizenship for Puerto Rican people. | Ref: 2 |
| Dec 11 | US President Roosevelt attacks abuses in the Congo. | Ref: 5 |
| Dec 12 | Oscar Straus, first Jewish cabinet member, appointed Secretary of Commerce. | Ref: 5 |
- 1907
| Jan 01 | The Pure Food and Drug Act becomes law in the United States. | Ref: 2 |
| Jan 23 | Charles Curtis of Kansas becomes first Native American US senator. | Ref: 5 |
| Jan 26 | First federal corrupt election practices law passed. | Ref: 5 |
| Feb 25 | US proclaims protectorate over Dominican Republic. | Ref: 5 |
| Feb 26 | Members of the U.S. Congress raised their own pay to $7500 each | Ref: 4 |
| Mar 11 | President Teddy Roosevelt induces California to revoke its anti-Japanese legislation. | Ref: 2 |
| Mar 14 | Teddy Roosevelt excludes Japanese laborers from continental U.S | Ref: 62 |
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| Aug 28 | Nineteen-year-old Jim Casey borrowed $100 from his friend, Claude Ryan, and started a local delivery service called the American Messenger Company. In 1913 they merged with Mac McCabe forming Merchants Parcel Delivery. The company was the first to provide consolidated delivery, placing packages with similar street destinations on one delivery truck. The company’s growing fleet of trucks was then managed by Charlie Soderstrom. Charlie selected the dark brown color because of its professional appearance. By the 1920s, the company had grown large enough to expand to Oakland and Los Angeles, CA. Soon after it became the United Parcel Service. | Ref: 4 |
| Nov 16 | (new state) Oklahoma, the Sooner State, was the 46th state to enter the United States of America. The word, Oklahoma, is a combination of two Choctaw words meaning red people. Then, why Sooner? Many, many OK homesteaders thought sooner was better than later, better to stake their homesteads first, before it was legal to do so. | Ref: 4 |
| Nov 30 | Pike Place Market dedicated in Seattle. | Ref: 5 |
| Dec 16 | Great White Fleet sails from Hampton Downs on its World Cruise. | Ref: 5 |
- 1908
| Jan 16 | Pinnacles National Monument, California established. | Ref: 5 |
| Feb 24 | Japan officially agrees to restrict emigration to the U.S. | Ref: 2 |
| Feb 27 | Star #46 was added to the U.S. flag -- for Oklahoma, which had entered the union on November 16, 1907. | Ref: 4 |
| Apr 16 | Natural Bridges National Monument established (Lake Powell UT). | Ref: 5 |
| Apr 23 | President Theodore Roosevelt signs an act creating the U.S. Army Reserve. | Ref: 70 |
| May 15 | U.S. Governors issue Declaration on Conservation | Ref: 62 |
| May 23 | Part of the Great White Fleet arrives in Puget Sound WA. | Ref: 5 |
| May 27 | Congress enacts a law preventing the Department of Justice from engaging Secret Service operatives. | Ref: 14 |
| May 27 | A Sundry Civil Service Bill declared that Secret Service employees accepting assignments by any department other than Treasury (except in counterfeiting cases) would be suspended for two years. The provision became effective July 1. It prevented the practice of agencies like the Department of Justice (DOJ) from borrowing investigators for specific cases. | Ref: 14 |
| May 30 | US Assay Office in Salt Lake City UT authorized. | Ref: 5 |
| Jun 29 | Attorney General Charles J. Bonaparte ordered the creation of a special agent force in the DOJ. His order reassigned twenty-three investigators already employed by the Department and permanently hired eight more agents from the Treasury Department. | Ref: 14 |
| Jul 07 | Great White Fleet leaves SF Bay. | Ref: 5 |
| Jul 26 | During the Presidency of Theodore Roosevelt, Attorney General Charles Bonaparte orders 10 Secret Service agents and some other Department of Justice employees to report to Chief Examiner Stanley W. Finch. This action is celebrated as the beginning of the FBI. | Ref: 14 |
| Aug 20 | The American Great White Fleet arrives in Sydney, Australia, to a warm welcome. | Ref: 2 |
- 1909
| Jan 28 | US military forces leave Cuba for 2nd time. | Ref: 5 |
| Feb 01 | U.S. troops leave Cuba after installing Jose Miguel Gomez as president. | Ref: 2 |
| Feb 01 | US Assay Office in Salt Lake City, Utah opens. | Ref: 5 |
| Feb 22 | The Great White Fleet, the first US fleet to circle the globe, returns to Norfolk, Virginia. | Ref: 5 |
| Mar 04 | US prohibits interstate transportation of game birds. | Ref: 5 |
| Mar 16 | Attorney General George Wickersham names the Bureau of Investigation (later the Federal Bureau of Investigation), and the title of Chief Examiner is changed to Chief of the Bureau of Investigation. | Ref: 14 |
| Apr 06 | First credit union established in US. | Ref: 5 |
| Jul 12 | 16th Amendment approved (power to tax incomes). | Ref: 5 |
| Aug 02 | First Lincoln head pennies are minted. | Ref: 5 |
| Aug 05 | Congress passes first Corporation tax. | Ref: 10 |
| Aug 07 | The first Lincoln penny is issued. | |
| Aug 24 | Workers start pouring concrete for the Panama Canal. | Ref: 5 |
| Nov 07 | Knights & Ladies of St Peter Claver organizes in Mobile AL. | Ref: 5 |
| Nov 11 | Construction begins on the naval base at Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. | Ref: 2 |
| Nov 18 | US invades Nicaragua, later overthrows President Zelaya. | Ref: 5 |
| Dec 01 | President William Howard Taft severs official relations with Nicaragua's Zelaya government and declares support for the revolutionaries. | Ref: 2 |
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US History 1900 to 1909 Chronology