January 12
January 12
Henry Ford sets speed record
On January 12, 1904, Henry Ford sets a land‑speed record of 91.37 mph on the frozen surface of Michigan’s Lake St. Clair. He was driving a four‑wheel vehicle, dubbed the…
A Year In History: 1904
This Year in History:
1904
Discover what happened in this year with HISTORY’s summaries of major events, anniversaries, famous births and notable deaths.
February 7
February 7
The Great Baltimore Fire begins
In Baltimore, Maryland, a small fire in the business district is wind‑whipped into an uncontrollable conflagration that engulfs a large portion of the city by evening. The fire is believed…
February 8
February 8
The Russo‑Japanese War begins
Following the Russian rejection of a Japanese plan to divide Manchuria and Korea into spheres of influence, Japan launches a surprise naval attack against Port Arthur, a Russian naval base…
February 17
February 17
“Madame Butterfly” premieres
On February 17, 1904, Giacomo Puccini’s opera Madame Butterfly premieres at the La Scala theatre in Milan, Italy. The young Puccini decided to dedicate his life to opera after seeing…
March 2
March 2
Dr. Seuss born
Theodor Geisel, better known to the world as Dr. Seuss, the author and illustrator of such children’s books as “The Cat in the Hat” and “Green Eggs and Ham,” is…
April 8
April 8
Britain and France sign Entente Cordiale
On April 8, 1904, with war in Europe a decade away, Britain and France sign an agreement, later known as the Entente Cordiale, resolving long‑standing colonial disputes in North Africa…
May 5
May 5
Cy Young pitches first perfect game in MLB history
On May 5, 1904, 37‑year‑old Cy Young pitches the first perfect game in modern Major League Baseball history as the Boston Americans defeat the Philadelphia Athletics, 3‑0. Young strikes out…
May 14
May 14
First American Olympiad opens in St. Louis, Missouri
The Third Olympiad of the modern era, and the first Olympic Games to be held in the United States, opens in St. Louis, Missouri. The 1904 Games were actually initially…
June 15
June 15
Fire on riverboat leaves more than 1,000 dead
More than 1,000 people taking a pleasure trip on New York City’s East River are drowned or burned to death when a fire sweeps through the boat. This was one…
September 21
September 21
The great Nez Perce leader Chief Joseph dies in Washington
On September 21, 1904, the Nez Perce leader Chief Joseph dies on the Colville reservation in northern Washington at the age of 64. White settlers had described him as superhuman…
October 27
October 27
New York City subway opens
At 2:35 on the afternoon of October 27, 1904, New York City Mayor George McClellan takes the controls on the inaugural run of the city’s innovative new rapid transit system:…
December 27
December 27
J.M. Barrie’s play “Peter Pan” opens in London
On December 27, 1904, the play Peter Pan, by James Barrie, opens at the Duke of York’s Theater in London. Barrie was born in 1860 and studied at the University…
