1899 in History

Sets up the first ever shore base on the Antarctic continent, in the midst of a penguin colony, named "Camp Ridley" in honour of Borchgrevinks mother

Approves the condominium agreement establishing joint British-Egyptian authority over Sudan.

Concludes an Anglo-French agreement defining spheres of influence between the Nile and Congo basins after the Fashoda crisis.

Is captured after an armoured train is derailed.

Haldane commands the troops aboard the armoured train ambushed and derailed near Chieveley.

FitzClarence leads a successful sortie from Mafeking to assist an armoured train attacked by Boer forces.

Leaves Escourt in a train commanded by Captain Haldane to explore Boer positions

Arrested, asked to be released because he is a correspondent but refused

Makes a dramatic escape from the Boers which reaches the world's headlines

The Boers offer 25 pounds for Churchill dead or alive

Reaches Durban and describes his escape to an enthusiastic crowd

Resists British demands over uitlander rights.

Fails to settle the franchise dispute with Kruger.

The British National Antarctic Expedition, later known as the Discovery Expedition, was a joint enterprise of the RGS and the Royal Society

Issues an ultimatum demanding withdrawal of British troops.

Enters active campaigning despite having opposed the war.

The Boers offer 25 pounds for Churchill dead or alive

Replaces Yuxian and moves against Boxers in Shandong.

Helps defeat Buller's attempt to relieve Ladysmith.

By 2 March the base, christened "Camp Ridley" after Borchgrevinks English mothers maiden name, was fully established, and the Duke of Yorks flag raised

Advised by Joseph Chamberlain to give civil rights to Uitlanders, in the Transvaal

Sets sail in the Dunnotar Castle for South Africa

Sets sail in the Dunnotar Castle for South Africa

The First Hague Peace Conference opened in The Netherlands as 26 nations meet on World Goodwill Day, the destruction or seizure of enemy property with no military value is banned at the convention

The Boers resent the policy of Chamberlain which deprives Transvaal of independence

The Boer republics declare war after Britain rejects their ultimatum.

Joins the Transvaal in war against Britain.

Appointed Deputy Assistant Adjutant-General for Intelligence

Appointed Deputy Assistant Adjutant-General for Intelligence

The British National Antarctic Expedition, later known as the Discovery Expedition, was a joint enterprise of the RGS and the Royal Society. Scott appears at the Markham residence and volunteered to lead the Discovery Expedition

Fails in his first attempt to be elected to Parliament, defeated by 1,300

The First de Smet de Naeyer Government ends in Brussels, concluding this period as head of the Belgian government.

The Jules Vandenpeereboom Government ends in Brussels, concluding this period as head of the Belgian government.

Escapes from Boer captivity and reaches safety.

British defeats during Black Week expose early military failure.

French leaves Ladysmith by rail shortly before the Boer siege completely isolates the town.

Helps found Foot-ball Club Barcelona with eleven other men at the Sole Gymnasium.

Pando's Liberal forces defeat the constitutional government during the Federal War.

Is chosen as the first president of the newly founded FC Barcelona.

Sets a landmark land-speed record using a streamlined battery-powered vehicle.

The First Hague Peace Conference opened in The Netherlands as 26 nations meet on World Goodwill Day, the destruction or seizure of enemy property with no military value is banned at the convention

Accepts the agreement with Britain defining French and British spheres between the Congo and Nile basins.

The Boers resent the policy of Chamberlain which deprives Transvaal of independence

The Boers resent the policy of Chamberlain which deprives Transvaal of independence

Begins the Jules Vandenpeereboom Government in Brussels and serves as head of the Belgian government.

Drives an electric car beyond one hundred kilometres per hour.

Thousand Days War begins in Colombia and destabilizes Panama

Cronje leaves the Mafeking siege area, after which local command passes to General Snyman.

Fisher becomes Commander-in-Chief of the Mediterranean Fleet.

Is killed by Boxers, intensifying foreign alarm.

The British National Antarctic Expedition, later known as the Discovery Expedition, was a joint enterprise of the RGS and the Royal Society

FitzClarence leads a night attack against Boer positions outside Mafeking and drives the action at close range.

The Council of Minister's give Dreyfuss a full pardon

Regarded as a temporary leader until the return of Lord Rosebery. Appointed Party Leader of the Liberal Party

Begins a one-year term as President of the Swiss Confederation.

Appointed President of Venezuela after the Liberal Restoration Revolution

Conducts the first performance of the Press Celebrations Music in Helsinki.

Appointed Prime Minister of Spain

Carden is promoted to captain in December 1899, correcting the supplied 1887 captain date.

Advised by Joseph Chamberlain to give civil rights to Uitlanders, in the Transvaal

Resigns his commission & leaves India

Cipriano Castro entered Caracas after the Restorative Liberal Revolution and took control of the government.

The British National Antarctic Expedition, later known as the Discovery Expedition, was a joint enterprise of the RGS and the Royal Society

Begins the Second de Smet de Naeyer Government in Brussels and serves as head of the Belgian government.

Snyman assumes command of the Boer forces maintaining the siege of Mafeking after Cronje departs.

Takes part in operations leading to the relief of Kimberley.

Takes part in operations leading to the relief of Kimberley.

Kekewich commands the garrison as Boer forces cut Kimberley off from the surrounding territory.

Takes part in operations leading to the relief of Kimberley.

Rhodes remains inside Kimberley during the siege and uses De Beers resources to assist the town's defence.

Takes part in operations around the siege and relief of Ladysmith.

Takes part in operations around the siege and relief of Ladysmith.

Directs Boer operations around Ladysmith.

Takes part in operations around the siege and relief of Ladysmith.

Takes part in operations around the siege and relief of Ladysmith.

Is besieged in Ladysmith by Boer forces.

Defends Mafeking during the Boer siege.

Mafeking is besieged until British relief arrives in May 1900.

Mafeking is besieged until British relief arrives in May 1900.

Begins the siege of Mafeking.

Joins Lord Roberts in South Africa as chief of staff after the early British defeats.

Approves Canadian volunteers for the South African War.

Cape Adare is sighted

Unloading began on 17 February. First ashore were the 75 dogs, with their two Sami handlers, who remained with them and thus became the first men to spend a night on the Antarctic continent. Sets up the first ever shore base on the Antarctic continent, in the midst of a penguin colony, named "Camp Ridley" in honour of Borchgrevinks mother. Borchgrevink reaches Cape Adare

Establishes the Southern Cross Expedition base at Cape Adare, the first overwintering base on the Antarctic mainland

The Southern Cross departs for New Zealand to winter there, leaving a shore party of 10 with their provisions, equipment and 70 dogs. By 2 March the base, christened "Camp Ridley" after Borchgrevinks English mothers maiden name, was fully established, and the Duke of Yorks flag raised

A statue in honour of Cromwell is unveiled opposite the Houses of Parliament

Kekewich rejects a Boer demand to surrender before the bombardment of Kimberley intensifies.

Conducts the first performance of the original version of Symphony No 1 in Helsinki.

Found guilty for a 2nd time, the court martial is commuted to 10 yrs imprisonment

Rejects Boer demands before war begins.

Joins the Vryheid commando when war begins.

Leaves on the Dunnotar Castle for South Africa as a War Correspondent for the Daily Mail

Yule assumes command after Symons is wounded and begins withdrawing the Dundee force toward Ladysmith.

Birth of Erich Kastner, writer of childrens books

Birth of John Barbirolli

Birth of Paul Henri-Charles Spaak

Symons dies from wounds received while commanding British forces at the Battle of Talana Hill.

Death of Georg Leo von Caprivi

Methuen defeats Boer positions at Belmont during the advance intended to relieve Kimberley.

Babtie treats wounded gunners under heavy fire at Colenso and is wounded while carrying out his medical duties.

British defeats during Black Week expose early military failure.

Commands Boer forces contributing to the victory at Colenso.

Defeats Buller's army at Colenso.

The British are defeated by the Boers

Is defeated during the attempt to relieve Ladysmith.

Clery issues the formal movement orders for the British attack intended to force a crossing of the Tugela at Colenso.

Congreve crosses exposed ground under heavy fire while helping to recover guns and wounded men at Colenso.

Long places his field batteries dangerously close to the Boer line, where intense fire forces the crews away from their guns.

Nurse helps save two guns under sustained Boer fire and receives the Victoria Cross for his actions.

Roberts helps recover artillery under heavy Boer fire at Colenso and is mortally wounded during the attempt.

Schofield helps bring two field guns out of action under intense Boer fire at Colenso.

Fights at the Battle of Elandslaagte

Helps defeat Boer forces at Elandslaagte.

French wins cavalry reputation before becoming Earl of Ypres.

Hamilton helps direct the British infantry attack that defeats the Boer force at Elandslaagte.

Is mortally wounded after defeat at Elandslaagte.

Forced back by a Boer force led by Transvaal General Joubert

FitzClarence is wounded during the unsuccessful British attack on Boer positions at Game Tree near Mafeking.

Martineau rescues a wounded comrade near the Boer trenches despite being wounded repeatedly during the withdrawal.

Methuen continues the Kimberley relief advance and defeats Boer forces at Graspan.

White directs British forces in the unsuccessful fighting around Ladysmith before the siege closes in.

Forced back by a Boer force led by Transvaal General Joubert

The British are defeated by the Boers

Cronje inflicts heavy losses on the British under Methuen

Near the Modder River, a Boer victory over the British under Methuen

Defeats Methuen's attack at Magersfontein.

Is forced to retreat before the superior forces of Lord Roberts

Cronje inflicts heavy losses on the British under Methuen

Is defeated while trying to relieve Kimberley.

Wauchope is killed while leading the Highland Brigade during the failed British assault at Magersfontein.

Takes part in operations leading to the relief of Kimberley.

Takes part in operations leading to the relief of Kimberley.

Delays Methuen's advance toward Kimberley.

Takes part in operations leading to the relief of Kimberley.

Fights through Boer resistance near the Modder River.

Takes part in the Boer victory near Ladysmith.

Suffers a serious reverse outside Ladysmith.

Forced back by a Boer force led by Transvaal General Joubert

De Wet serves with the Free State forces opposing White's British column during the fighting at Rietfontein.

White attacks Boer positions at Rietfontein to protect Yule's withdrawing column from Dundee.

The British are defeated by the Boers

Gatacres forces are weakened after a Boer ambush

Suffers severe losses against the Boers in an ambush 70 miles from Queenstown

Suffers defeat during Black Week.

Helps defeat Gatacre's column.

Buller drives away the Boers from Dundee

Buller drives away the Boers from Glencoe

Commands Boer forces at Talana Hill.

Symons leads the British attack at Talana Hill and is mortally wounded during the fighting.

Forced back by a Boer force led by Transvaal General Joubert

British forces win tactically but withdraw toward Ladysmith.

Joubert's Boer forces repel the British attack at Willow Grange before ending their advance into southern Natal.

Kitchener commands the British force that attacks Boer positions at Willow Grange and is forced to withdraw.