1897

1897 was a common year of the Gregorian calendar. It saw a number of significant political, scientific, and cultural developments that reflected the global shifts of the late 19th century.

In the British Empire, Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee was celebrated to mark sixty years on the throne, an event that highlighted imperial reach and national ceremony. In the United States, the Dingley Tariff Act of 1897 raised tariffs on imports, shaping economic policy during a period of protective trade measures. The year also featured ongoing imperial and regional tensions that culminated in conflict in Europe and the wider Mediterranean area.

The Greco-Turkish War of 1897 occurred between Greece and the Ottoman Empire, ending with a dispatch of casualties on both sides and a Turkish advantage, affecting regional alignments in the Balkans and Levant. In the realm of science, J. J. Thomson announced the discovery of the electron, a foundational milestone that advanced atomic theory and modern physics.

The Klondike Gold Rush began to attract thousands of prospectors to the Yukon after gold discoveries in the region became widely known, signaling a major migratory and economic event in North America. Together, these events illustrate a year of imperial activity, scientific breakthroughs, and transformative social movements that contributed to the broader tapestry of the era.