Politics

Mahatma Gandhi (1869-1948) returns to India after 21 years in South Africa and begins a non-violent campaign against British rule.

Government

President Wilson (1856-1924) signs an order establishing a permanent civil government in the Panama Canal Zone.

Government

Labor Movement: The Clayton Antitrust Act strengthens the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890. It seeks to restrict the use of court injunctions in labor disputes and exempts labor and farm organizations from antitrust laws.

Government

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission is established to police business practices in interstate commerce.

War

The city of Vera Cruz in Mexico is seized by the U.S. Marines.

War

After the assassination of the Archduke Francis Ferdinand (1863-1914 ), heir to the Austrian throne, and his wife, World War I breaks out in Europe.

Science

American, Robert H. Goddard (1882-1945), begins his rocketry experiments.

Medicine

American, E.C. Kendall (1886-1972) prepares pure thyroxin for treatment of thyroid deficiencies.

Medicine

Dr. Alexis Carrel (1873-1944) performs first successful heart surgery on a dog.

Inventions

Edwin H. Armstrong (1890-1954), N.Y. electrical engineer, patents the regenerative (feedback) circuit.

Inventions

Charles Lawrence, aeronautical engineer, develops the first successful air-cooled airplane engine. This makes long distance flights possible.

Technology

The 35 mm camera is developed.

Education

A document called "Infant Care" is published by the U.S. Government; it is intended to provide mothers with practical information on child health and nutrition, and emphasizes the importance of strict routines and rules.

Arts and Letters

Literature: James Joyce ( 1882-1941) writes “Dubliners”.

Arts and Letters

Poetry: Joyce Kilmer (1886-1918) writes “Trees”.

Arts and Letters

Drama: Elmer Rice ( 1892-1967) writes “On Trial,” the first drama to use the device of a flashback.

Arts and Letters

National Capital: Henry Bacon ( 1839-1912) designs the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C.

Arts and Letters

Women’s Firsts: Mary Davenport-Engberg (1881-1951) is the first woman to conduct a symphony orchestra, in Bellingham, Washington.

Ideas

John B. Watson (1878-1958) publishes "Behavior; an Introduction to Comparative Psychology.”

Wilson, Ellen

Ellen Axson Wilson (1860-1914), first wife of President Woodrow Wilson (1856-1924) dies on august 6th of Bright''s disease in the White House.

Roosevelt, Eleanor

Franklin Delano Roosevelt Jr. (1914-1988), son of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, is born August 17.

Economics

The Panama Canal is completed. It is 40 miles long from Atlantic to Pacific coasts and cost an estimated $365 million to complete.

Economics

The world’s first airline, St. Petersburg Tampa Airboat Line, starts operation in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Discovery

Ernest Shackleton (1874-1922) begins a trans-Anarctic expedition with his ship, "Endurance."

Daily Life

The History of Toys: Charles Pajeau develops a toy similar to the Erector Set, but designed for younger children, called Tinker Toys.

Daily Life

The last known passenger pigeon dies in the Cincinnati Zoo.

Daily Life

Dancing: The Cotillion, once the most fashionable dance of society, takes second place to the waltz and the two-step.

Sports

Boxing: Jack Dempsey (1895- 1983) starts fighting under the name “Kid Blackey.”

Sports

Golf: Walter Hagen (1892-1969) wins the U.S. Golf Association Open.

Sports

Women in Sports: The American Olympic Committee formally opposes women's athletic competition in the Olympics. The only exception is the floor exercise, where women are allowed to only wear long skirts.

Sports

Women in Sports: Basketball: Basketball rules change to allow half-court play, expanded from the original one-third court rules. Full court play for women doesn''t come in until the 1970''s.

Popular Culture

E.R. Burroughs ( 1875-1950) writes “Tarzan of the Apes”.

Popular Culture

William Christopher Handy (1873-1958) composes “St. Louis Blues.”

Religion

The Assembly of God denomination is founded during an 11-day convention in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

Social Issues

Immigration: World War I in Europe breeds strong anti-immigration feelings in the United States.

Social Issues

Immigration: Almost 10.5 million immigrants enter the U.S. from southern and eastern Europe from 1905 until 1914.

Reform

Labor Movement: The Ford Motor Company begins paying its workers a basic wage of $5.00 for an 8-hour day, up from $2.40 for a 9-hour day.

Reform

Labor Movement: The American Society of Composers, Authors, and Publishers (ASCAP) founded.