Major Events of October 1904: Key Historical Moments from the Month
Each month is marked by defining moments that shape the course of history. Whether through political shifts, cultural movements, or world-changing events, these periods leave a lasting impression. Dive into the most important events from October 1904 and discover how they influenced the world both then and now.

Major Events of October 1904: Key Historical Moments from the Month
- 02 Oct 1904 Namibian Genocide: Von Trotha's Extermination Order: On October 2, 1904, German General Lothar von Trotha issued an extermination order against the Herero people in German South West Africa, leading to the deaths of tens of thousands. source: namibian.com.na
- 03 Oct 1904 Mary McLeod Bethune establishes educational institution: On October 3, 1904, Mary McLeod Bethune founded the Daytona Educational and Industrial Training School for Negro Girls in Daytona Beach, Florida, with an initial enrollment of six students, including her son. source: nps.gov
- 04 Oct 1904 New York City Subway Inaugural Day: On October 4, 1904, the first section of the New York City Subway system opened, marking a significant milestone in urban transportation. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 08 Oct 1904 Opening of 'Little Johnny Jones' Play: George M. Cohan's musical 'Little Johnny Jones' opened on Broadway at the Liberty Theatre on November 7, 1904. The show introduced Cohan's tunes 'Give My Regards to Broadway' and 'The Yankee Doodle Boy.' source: en.wikipedia.org
- 10 Oct 1904 Liberty Theater Opens in New York City: The Liberty Theatre, located at 234 West 42nd Street, opened in 1904. It was the venue for the Broadway production of 'Little Johnny Jones' starting November 7, 1904. source: preserveoldbroadway.org
- 13 Oct 1904 Death of Pavlos Melas in Macedonian Struggle: Pavlos Melas, a Greek revolutionary and artillery officer, was killed on October 13, 1904, during the Macedonian Struggle. He was mortally wounded in the village of Siatista after being surrounded by Ottoman forces. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 15 Oct 1904 Russian Baltic Fleet departs for Port Arthur: On October 15, 1904, the Russian Baltic Fleet set sail for Port Arthur during the Russo-Japanese War. This move was part of Russia's military strategy to reinforce its naval presence in the Pacific. The fleet's journey was marked by significant naval engagements in the following months. source: britannica.com
- 16 Oct 1904 Russian Baltic Fleet departs for Port Arthur: On October 16, 1904, the Russian Baltic Fleet departed for Port Arthur, marking a significant moment in the Russo-Japanese War. This fleet was crucial for Russia's naval strategy in the Pacific, although it faced challenges during its journey. The fleet's deployment was part of a larger conflict over territorial control in East Asia. source: britannica.com
- 17 Oct 1904 Founding of Bank of Italy in San Francisco: The Bank of Italy was founded in San Francisco on October 17, 1904, by Amadeo Giannini. It aimed to provide financial services to immigrants and the working class, eventually evolving into what is now Bank of America. The bank played a significant role in the economic development of California. source: bankofamerica.com
- 18 Oct 1904 Kaiser-Friedrich-Museum opens in Berlin: The Kaiser-Friedrich-Museum, now known as the Bode Museum, opened its doors in Berlin on October 18, 1904. It was established to house a collection of sculptures, Byzantine art, and decorative arts. The museum has since become a significant cultural institution in Germany. source: smb.museum
- 19 Oct 1904 Founding of Polytechnic University of the Philippines: The Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) was founded on October 19, 1904, originally as a vocational school. It has since grown into a major educational institution in the Philippines, offering a wide range of programs and contributing to the country's workforce development. source: pup.edu.ph
- 20 Oct 1904 Chile-Bolivia Peace and Friendship Treaty: The Chile-Bolivia Peace and Friendship Treaty was signed on October 20, 1904, concluding the War of the Pacific. This treaty established the borders between Chile and Bolivia, with Bolivia losing its coastal territory. It has had lasting implications for Chile-Bolivia relations. source: britannica.com
- 21 Oct 1904 Birth of Patrick Kavanagh: Patrick Kavanagh, an influential Irish poet and novelist, was born on October 21, 1904. His works often reflect rural life and the complexities of human experience. Kavanagh's literary contributions have made him a significant figure in 20th-century Irish literature. source: britannica.com
- 22 Oct 1904 Dogger Bank incident: Russian fleet mistakenly attacks British fishing vessels: On the night of October 21–22, 1904, during the Russo-Japanese War, the Russian Baltic Fleet, under Admiral Zinovy Rozhestvensky, mistook British fishing trawlers near Dogger Bank in the North Sea for Japanese torpedo boats. The fleet opened fire, sinking one trawler, damaging others, and killing two British fishermen. In the confusion, Russian ships also fired upon each other, resulting in casualties among their own crew. This incident nearly led to war between Russia and the United Kingdom. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 23 Oct 1904 Emilia Dilke, English author and historian, passes away: Emilia Dilke, an English author and historian known for her works on art and history, died on October 23, 1904. She was recognized for her contributions to the study of art history and her writings on the subject. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 24 Oct 1904 First New York City subway line opens: On October 24, 1904, the first New York City subway line opened, marking a significant milestone in urban transportation. The subway system revolutionized commuting in the city, providing a faster and more efficient means of travel for its residents. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 25 Oct 1904 Birth of Vladimir Tytla, pioneering Disney animator: Vladimir Tytla, a pioneering animator known for his work at Disney, was born on October 25, 1904. He played a significant role in the development of early animated films and is remembered for his contributions to the art of animation. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 27 Oct 1904 New York City subway's inaugural run: The New York City subway system conducted its inaugural run on October 27, 1904, showcasing the new transportation system to the public and marking a milestone in the city's development. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 28 Oct 1904 Saint Louis Police adopt fingerprint investigation technique: On October 28, 1904, the Saint Louis Police Department in Missouri became the first in the United States to adopt fingerprinting as a method for criminal investigation, marking a significant advancement in forensic science. source: en.wikipedia.org