The year 1909 witnessed significant developments across the globe, ranging from political shifts and scientific breakthroughs to cultural milestones and technological advancements. This article highlights some of the most important events of that year, with a particular focus on events relevant to the United States.
Politics and International Relations
February 26: The Ottoman Empire recognizes Austria-Hungary's annexation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, ending the Bosnian crisis. This was a major diplomatic incident that threatened European peace.
March 4: William Howard Taft is inaugurated as the 27th President of the United States. He succeeds Theodore Roosevelt, continuing the Progressive Era.
April 6: Robert Peary claims to have reached the North Pole, though later scrutiny would question the accuracy of his navigation. This event ignited a global fascination with polar exploration.
May 23: The Declaration of the Naval Conference of London is signed, attempting to codify international law relating to naval warfare.
August 12: The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) is founded in New York City. This organization becomes a crucial force in the American Civil Rights Movement. Its formation marked a significant step in the fight for racial equality in the United States.
November 15: King Leopold II of Belgium cedes the Congo Free State to Belgium, creating the Belgian Congo. This brought an end to Leopold's personal rule, infamous for its brutality and exploitation.
Science and Technology
January 16: Ernest Shackleton's Nimrod Expedition reaches its furthest south, 88°23′S, just 97 nautical miles from the South Pole.
July 25: Louis Blériot makes the first airplane flight across the English Channel, flying from Calais, France, to Dover, England, in his Blériot XI. This was a groundbreaking achievement in aviation history.
October 7: The Wright brothers form "The Wright Company", a corporation dedicated to manufacturing airplanes. This marked a significant step in the commercialization of aviation technology.
Culture
February 20: Filippo Tommaso Marinetti publishes the Futurist Manifesto in Le Figaro, launching the Futurism art movement.
October 15: P. G. Wodehouse's first Jeeves story, "Extricating Young Gussie," is published in The Wodehouseian.
Events in the United States
January 11: The first National Conservation Commission report is submitted to Congress. This report highlighted the importance of conserving natural resources, reflecting the growing environmental awareness in the United States.
March 4: William Howard Taft becomes President of the United States.
August 5: Construction begins on the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, a landmark in American auto racing.
October 19: The Pittsburgh Pirates defeat the Detroit Tigers to win the World Series. This was a significant event in American baseball.
1909 was a year of remarkable progress and transformation, laying the groundwork for the modern world in various fields. The political landscape shifted with new leadership in the United States and international crises, while scientific and technological advancements soared to new heights. The establishment of the NAACP marked a crucial step toward civil rights, and cultural movements like Futurism began to reshape the artistic landscape.