1913 was a year marked by significant political, scientific, cultural, and technological developments, laying the groundwork for the tumultuous years of the 20th century. Events unfolded across the globe, with several crucial moments occurring in the United States.
Political Events
March 4: Woodrow Wilson Inaugurated as President of the United States. Wilson's presidency ushered in a period of progressive reform and ultimately led the United States into World War I. He articulated a vision of "New Freedom" domestically.
March 4: Sixteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution Ratified: This amendment authorized Congress to levy and collect an income tax. This significantly altered the way the federal government was funded and led to a massive shift in the nation's financial structure.
May 31: Seventeenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution Ratified: This amendment established the direct election of U.S. senators by the people of the states, rather than by state legislatures. This expanded suffrage rights and increased the democratic nature of United States politics.
December 23: Federal Reserve Act Passed in the United States. This landmark legislation created the Federal Reserve System, the central banking system of the United States. It aimed to provide a more stable and flexible monetary and financial system.
South Africa: The Natives Land Act, a major piece of segregationist legislation, was passed in South Africa, restricting black Africans' ownership of land.
Scientific Events
January 24: Niels Bohr Published His Model of the Atom. This revolutionary model, incorporating quantum mechanics, dramatically changed our understanding of atomic structure. This laid the groundwork for future developments in Quantum Physics.
Henry Ford developed the assembly line. While not invented in 1913, Ford's perfecting the assembly line in this year dramatically sped up the production of his Model T car. The technology then spread across different manufacturing sectors.
Cultural Events
February 17: The Armory Show Opens in New York City. Officially titled the International Exhibition of Modern Art, this exhibition introduced avant-garde European art to the United States, causing both outrage and inspiration. It was pivotal in the development of American modern art.
Igor Stravinsky's The Rite of Spring Premieres. The ballet's unconventional music and choreography sparked a riot at its premiere in Paris, becoming a symbol of artistic revolution.
Technological Events
Diesel engine. Rudolf Diesel dies under mysterious circumstances on September 29. His invention, the diesel engine, grew in popularity across a variety of industries, and by 1913 was a major technology.
Other Notable Events
The Second Balkan War: This conflict between Bulgaria and its former allies in the Balkan League (Serbia, Greece, Montenegro, and Romania) further destabilized the region leading up to World War I.