Succession
Succeeds as King of Great Britain. Proclaimed Emperor of India
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1903 in Great Britain
Explore 56 historical events and records for Great Britain in 1903.
Historical records for Great Britain in 1903
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 40 of 56 unique records.
56Unique records
1 of 2Page
27Named events on this page
24Named people on this page
12Places on this page
January
February
Discovery Expedition
Among these, against his will, was the convalescent Shackleton, who Scott decided "ought not to risk further hardships in his present state of health".
Discovery Expedition
The party eventually reached the Discovery on 3 February 1903 after covering 960 miles (1,540 km) including relays, in 93 days travel at a daily average of just over 10 miles (16 km).
Discovery Expedition
The relief ship provided an opportunity for some of the party to return home.
Return from Antarctica
Returns from the southern journey weakened by illness and is later sent home on the relief ship Morning
Speech
Speaks in the Commons against the Governments proposed increase in military spending
March
Discovery Expedition
At the end of March 1903 the Morning is ordered to return, leaving supplies with the Discovery, still sealed in the ice, several crew are exchanged, including Shackleton, who was considered not healthy enough to remain for the winter
May
Visit to Paris
1st day of a good will visit to Paris
Speech
Supports Free Trade in answer to Chamberlains speech in favour of Imperial Preference
Speech
Attacks his party's proposals to increase military expenditure
Speech
Rebukes Chamberlains speech on Imperial Preference in the Commons
FFL
Founds the Free Food League with Conservative MPs in favour of free trade
Free Food League
Founds the Free Food League with Conservative MPs in favour of free trade
June
Birth of George Orwell
Birth of George Orwell, born Eric Arthur Blair, in Motihari.
July
Birth of Alexander Frederick Douglas-Home
Birth of Alexander Frederick Douglas-Home
August
Death of Robert Arthur Talbot Gascoyne-Cecil
Death of Robert Arthur Talbot Gascoyne-Cecil
Death of Robert Arthur Talbot Gascoyne-Cecil
Death of Robert Arthur Talbot Gascoyne-Cecil
Portsmouth Command Assumed
Fisher becomes Commander-in-Chief at Portsmouth.
October
WPSU
Helps found the Womens Political & Social Union, daughter of Emily Pankhurst
WPSU
Founds the Womens Political & Social Union to campaign for female emancipation
November
Discovery Expedition
While the Morning is refitted for another relief voyage, this time organised by the Admiralty rather than the Royal Geographical Society, she sails south again in November, in company with a second relief ship, Terra Nova.
December
Discovery Expedition
The party reached Discovery on 24 December, after a round trip of seven hundred miles covered in 59 days. Their daily average of over 14 miles on this man-hauling journey was significantly better than that achieved with dogs on the previous seasons southern journey, a fact which further strengthened Scotts prejudices against dogs
Other events (month unknown)
Archbishop
Appointed Archbishop of Canterbury
Archbishop of Canterbury
Appointed Archbishop of Canterbury
Army Estimates Parliamentary Criticism
Churchill argued in Parliament against expensive military proposals and articulated a position on defense spending.
Barcelona Presidency
Becomes FC Barcelona president after previously playing for the club and serving on its committee.
Chancellor of the Exchequer
Appointed Foreign Minister
Discovery of South Pole
Scotts team reaches the furthest south so far at 82 degrees 17S
Discovery of South Pole
Scotts team, including Shakleton, reaches the furthest south so far at 82 degrees 17S. Scott blames Shackleton for not reaching the Pole, the team was suffering from scurvy
Economy
Chamberlain campaigns for Imperial Preference & provokes Conservative free traders
First Exploitation Company Formed
Forms the First Exploitation Company as petroleum exploration in Persia becomes a structured commercial venture.
Free Trade
Supports Free Trade & opposes Chamberlains policy of Imperial Preference
Free Trade
Supports Free Trade & opposes Chamberlains policy of Imperial Preference
Indian Army Unification Programme Begun
Begins completing the unification of former Presidency forces into a single Indian Army structure.
Indra
Composes, "Indra"
Inspector
Appointed Inspector General of Cavalry on return to England
Inspector
Appointed Inspector General of Cavalry, serves in India
Labour Representation Committee (LRC)
Appointed Chairman of the LRC
Literary Discussions at Cambridge
Strachey participated in Cambridge literary discussions that shaped his critical outlook.
Mankind in the Making
Wells published Mankind in the Making, exploring education and social reform.
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.