• China- 1900, the “Boxer Rebellion” in China demonstrated against foreign (European, American and Japanese) intrusion into Chinese culture. The “Boxers” were a secret religious, anti-foreign society operating in rural areas of China. Mark Twain said, “The Boxer is a patriot. He loves his country better than he does the countries of other people. I wish him success.” The group gained their name from the European and American press, because of their proficiency in the martial arts.
• USA- 1901, President William McKinley was shot to death on September 6, 1901 while visiting Buffalo, New York. McKinley became the third president to be assassinated in US history (Lincoln and Garfield). Vice President Theodore Roosevelt became President.
• Victoria- 1901, Queen Victoria died at the age 82. Her reign over the British Empire lasted 63 years, the longest in the history of England.
• Rose Bowl Game- 1902, the Tournament of Roses first started in 1890 with a parade of flower-covered carriages, a foot race, a polo match, and a tug of war. By 1900, the Tournament Committee had added ostrich races, bronco busting demonstrations and a race between a camel and an elephant (the race was won by the elephant). In 1902, the Tournament of Roses Association added a collegiate football game to its popular New Year’s Day parade of flower-covered carriages. The game was played on the Town lot (later called Tournament Park) with seating for 1,000 fans. The University of Michigan trounced Stanford 49-0 in the game but because of the lopsided score and lack of seating, a mob of 8,500 fans, some on horseback, stampeded the field. The over-exuberance of the large crowd caused the cancellation the game until New Year’s Day 1916. The game would eventually become the very popular “The Rose Bowl” football game.

Sport Figure of the Decade 1900-1909- France’s leading sports daily newspaper, L’Equipe, chose one athlete from each decade that had the greatest effect on his or her society of the time. In the 1900’s that choice was Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the International Olympic Committee and the modern Olympics Movement. He believed that athletic exercise and competition was of great value in the education and development of young people. During the twentieth century, the Olympic Games touched the souls of all the people, and the discipline of athletic competition provided great social benefits to the education of our youth. The twentieth century world has been profoundly affected and influenced by the Pierre de Coubertin’s Olympic efforts.

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“Age and treachery will overcome youth and skill.”
Fausto Coppi, Italian
"Champion of Champions"