Discovery Expedition
The Discovery arrives at Cape Adare
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1902 in Great Britain
Explore 87 historical events and records for Great Britain in 1902.
Historical records for Great Britain in 1902
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 87 unique records.
87Unique records
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28Named events on this page
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17Places on this page
January
Alliance Great Britain and Japan
Great Britain & Japan sign an alliance, ends British "splendid isolation"
Splendid Isolation
Great Britain & Japan sign an alliance, ends British "splendid isolation"
Discovery Expedition
The Discovery follows the Barrier to its eastern extremity where, on 30 January, the land predicted by Ross was confirmed, and named King Edward VII Land
Discovery of King Edward VII Land
The Discovery follows the Barrier to its eastern extremity where, on 30 January, the land predicted by Ross was confirmed, and named King Edward VII Land
British Offensive
Launches major offensives against the Boers
Final Offensive
Launches final drives against remaining commandos.
February
Discovery Expedition
Scott lands on the Barrier and unpacks an observation balloon which he had acquired for aerial surveys
Discovery Expedition
The Discovery enters McMurdo Sound and later that day anchors in a spot near its southern limit which was afterwards christened Winter Quarters Bay. Of the entire party, none were skilled skiers and only Bernacchi and Armitage had any experience with dog-sledges. The results of the mens early efforts to master these techniques were not encouraging, and tended to reinforce Scotts preference for man-hauling
Discovery of Winter Quarters Bay
The Discovery enters McMurdo Sound and later that day anchors in a spot near its southern limit which was afterwards christened Winter Quarters Bay
March
Battle of Tweebosch
Is wounded and captured by De la Rey.
April
Klerksdorp Conference Opened
Meets Boer representatives as serious negotiations begin over possible peace terms.
Battle of Rooiwal
Hamilton coordinates the wider British operations that bring Kemp's commandos against the prepared position at Rooiwal.
Battle of Rooiwal
Kekewich's entrenched force defeats a mounted Boer attack at Rooiwal in one of the war's final major battles.
Battle of Rooiwal
Rawlinson commands one of the British columns participating in the western Transvaal operations around Rooiwal.
May
Pretoria Peace Talks
British troops enter Pretoria during Roberts's advance.
First Edgbaston Test Match
Edgbaston hosts its first Test match as England plays Australia.
British Peace Settlement
Represents British imperial policy in the postwar settlement.
Peace Agreement Signed
Accepts Boer surrender terms ending the South African War.
Treaty of Vereeniging
The Treaty of Vereeniging ends the Second Boer War.
Treaty of Vereeniging
Signs the final peace agreement at Melrose House.
Treaty of Vereeniging
The Treaty of Vereeniging ends the Second Boer War.
Treaty of Vereeniging
Signs the peace settlement ending the war.
Reconciliation Terms Favoured
Supports comparatively conciliatory postwar terms intended to help secure a durable settlement.
Vereeniging Negotiations Supported
Supports negotiations that move Boer delegates toward acceptance of British peace terms.
June
Second Sea Lord Appointment
Fisher becomes Second Sea Lord with responsibility for naval personnel, training and related administrative reform.
Death of John Emerich Edward Dalberg-Acton
Death of John Emerich Edward Dalberg-Acton, 1st Baron Acton
Appendix
Has an appendix operation 2 days before his planned coronation
Order of Merit
The Order of Merit is instituted by Edward VII
South African War Command Concluded
Concludes his South African command after the peace settlement ends organised Boer resistance.
July
Prime Minister of Great Britain
Appointed Prime Minister of Great Britain, succeeds his uncle, Lord Salisbury
Discovery Expedition
Evans is seconded from the Navy to be second officer aboard the relief ship, the Morning, an ageing ex-whaler, The Morning sails from London in July
August
Coronation
Delayed by six weeks due to appendicitis
October
HMS Magnificent Command Assumed
Carden is appointed captain of HMS Magnificent, flagship of the Channel Squadron's second-in-command.
Magnificent Visits Gibraltar
Soon after taking command, Carden takes HMS Magnificent to Gibraltar during a Channel Squadron cruise.
Magnificent Visits Tetuan
Carden takes HMS Magnificent to Tetuan during the same early command cruise that includes Gibraltar.
Second Lord Admiralty
Appointed 2nd Lord of the Admiralty
November
Discovery Expedition
Scott, Wilson and Shackleton left on 2 November 1902 with dogs and supporting parties. Their goal was "to get as far south in a straight line on the Barrier ice as we can, reach the Pole if possible, or find some new land"
Discovery Expedition
Scott, Wilson and Shackleton left on 2 November 1902 with dogs and supporting parties. Their goal was "to get as far south in a straight line on the Barrier ice as we can, reach the Pole if possible, or find some new land"
Discovery Expedition
Leaves with Scott and Shackleton on the southern sledging journey during the Discovery Expedition
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.