What happened in 1897

13 entries recorded for 1897, listed by date. That was 129 years ago.

1897 at a glance

February 28
Ranavalona III
Historical event
Ranavalona III (pictured), the last sovereign ruler of the Kingdom of Madagascar, was deposed by French military forces.

April 30
J. J. Thomson
Historical event
British physicist J. J. Thomson and his team announce the discovery of the electron.

May 1
Ramakrishna Mission
Historical event
The Ramakrishna Mission was founded by Swami Vivekananda to serve as the humanitarian counterpart to the Hindu monastic order Ramakrishna Math.
May 22
Blackwall Tunnel
Historical event
The first Blackwall Tunnel under the River Thames was opened to improve commerce and trade in the East End of London.
May 26
Church of England
Historical event
The Church of England returned the original manuscript of William Bradford's Of Plymouth Plantation, an account of the Pilgrims and the early years of the Plymouth Colony, to the state of Massachusetts.

June 5
National Treasure (Japan)
Historical event
The Ancient Temples and Shrines Preservation Law was passed, instituting the protection of structures and artifacts in Japan designated National Treasures.

August 7
Mahdist War
Historical event
Mahdist War: Anglo-Egyptian soldiers clashed with Mahdist Sudanese rebels in the Battle of Abu Hamed.
August 19
Bersey Electric Cab
Historical event
The Bersey Electric Cab (pictured) entered service as the first electric taxi in London.
August 31
Thomas Edison
Historical event
Thomas Edison was granted a patent for the Kinetoscope, a precursor to the modern movie projector.

September 1
Tremont Street subway
Historical event
The Tremont Street Subway in Boston opens, becoming the first underground rapid transit system in North America.
September 11
Gaki Sherocho
Historical event
Gaki Sherocho was captured by the forces of Ethiopian emperor Menelik II, bringing an end to the Kingdom of Kaffa.
September 21
The Sun (New York City)
Historical event
In response to a letter written by eight-year-old Virginia O'Hanlon, The New York Sun published an editorial by Francis Pharcellus Church stating, "Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus".

December 9
Marguerite Durand
Historical event
French actress, journalist and leading suffragette Marguerite Durand founded the feminist newspaper La Fronde.

This site records 13 entries for 1897, including Ranavalona III on February 28. They are listed below by date.

129 years ago, counting from 2026. Anyone born in 1897 turns 129 this year.

1897 falls in the 19th century, in the 1890s.

Lost Generation (1883–1900). Came of age during the First World War.

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