1910

1910 was a year of political realignments, social movements, and cultural milestones in the early 20th century. In political developments, the Union of South Africa was established on May 31, uniting four former colonies into a single dominion within the British Empire. In Britain, the death of King Edward VII on May 6 led to the accession of George V. In Portugal, a revolution on October 5 ended the monarchy and proclaimed the Portuguese Republic. In Mexico, the Plan de San Luis Potosí launched the Mexican Revolution, a protracted conflict that reshaped the nation’s politics. The Boy Scouts of America was founded in February 1910, contributing to the growth of organized youth programs.

In science and culture, Halley’s Comet appeared for public observers as it swept through the inner solar system. In the arts, Igor Stravinsky’s The Firebird, produced with the Ballets Russes, premiered in Paris and became a landmark of modern music. In literature, Leo Tolstoy died in November, marking the end of an era in Russian literature. Subrahmanyan Chandrasekhar, who would become a noted astrophysicist, was born on October 19, 1910.

The year reflects broader currents of global change—independence movements, shifts in monarchies, and the emergence of new cultural and scientific leaders that would shape the decade ahead.