The world in
What happened in 1912?
20 events across 7 world regions, each with its sources.
Europe
- Development of the Haber–Bosch ammonia synthesis process
The Haber process for synthesizing ammonia from nitrogen and hydrogen was developed in the early 20th century. German chemist Fritz Haber achieved the laboratory-scale process in 1909, and a BASF team led by Carl Bosch completed its industrialization in 1913. It has since become the main industrial method for producing ammonia.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
First Balkan WarThe First Balkan War lasted from October 1912 to May 1913, pitting the Balkan League (Bulgaria, Greece, Montenegro, and Serbia) against the Ottoman Empire. The combined Balkan armies, with numerical and strategic superiority, quickly defeated the Ottoman forces, seizing most of the Empire's remaining European territories and leading to Albanian independence. Dissatisfaction over the division of spoils set the stage for the Second Balkan War.
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International Opium Convention SignedIn 1912, the International Opium Convention was signed at The Hague as the first international drug control treaty, aiming to regulate the trade and consumption of opium and other narcotics through international cooperation.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: Unknown author Unknown author / Public domain ↗
Founding of the Pushkin Museum of Fine ArtsThe Pushkin Museum of Fine Arts was founded in Moscow, originally named the Alexander III Museum, and completed in 1912. It later became Russia's second-largest museum of foreign art.
Completion of the Swallow's NestIn 1912, the Neo-Gothic castle known as the Swallow's Nest was completed on the Aurora Cliff in Gaspra, Crimea. Designed by Russian architect Leonid Sherwood for Baron von Steingel, a noble of German descent, the decorative structure perches 40 metres above the Black Sea.
Kazansky Railway Station opensAround the early 20th century, Moscow Kazansky railway station (originally Ryazansky) opened, becoming one of nine railway terminals in the Russian capital. Situated on Komsomolskaya Square across from Leningradsky and Yaroslavsky stations, it was ranked ninth among Europe's best train stations in 2020.
Opening of Bucharest Băneasa AirportBucharest's first commercial airport opened in the Băneasa district, about 8.5 km north of the city center. Named after Romanian aviation pioneer Aurel Vlaicu, it remained the city's only commercial airport until 1969, when Otopeni Airport opened to civilian use.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: Original uploader was Magercu at ro.Wikipedia . Uploaded 00:40, 19 March 2007 (UTC) to en:Wikipedia by Cristibur ( contr / CC BY-SA 3.0 ↗
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Opening of Abbesses Métro StationAbbesses station opened on 31 October 1912 in the Montmartre area of Paris, serving as a stop on Line 12 of the Paris Métro. At a depth of 36 metres, it was the deepest station in the system until surpassed by Villejuif–Gustave Roussy in 2025. Situated on the western side of the Butte Montmartre, access to the platforms is primarily via elevators and a decorated staircase.
Establishment of National Museum CardiffA museum and art gallery was established in Cardiff, Wales, later becoming part of the Museum Wales network.
North Africa
Rif War beginsIn 1921, armed conflict broke out between Spain and Berber tribes of the Rif region in northern Morocco. Led by Abd el-Krim, Rifian forces used guerrilla tactics and captured Western weaponry to repeatedly defeat Spanish troops. France intervened in 1925, escalating the war, which ended with the surrender of the Rifian resistance.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: José Moreno Carbonero / Public domain ↗
- Signing of the Treaty of Fes
On 30 March 1912, under duress, Sultan Abd al-Hafid of Morocco signed the Treaty of Fes with French diplomat Eugène Regnault, making Morocco a French protectorate. The treaty resolved the Second Moroccan Crisis and remained in effect until a 1956 joint declaration.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
Al-Rifa'i MosqueThe Al-Rifa'i Mosque is located in Islamic Cairo, opposite the Mosque-Madrasa of Sultan Hassan. Built in neo-Mamluk style, it was conceived as part of a 19th-century campaign to modernize the city and associate with Egypt's Islamic past. It houses the royal mausoleum of Muhammad Ali's family and also the tomb of the last Shah of Iran.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: Original uploader was Chris Karman at nl.wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0 ↗
Outbreak of the French conquest of MoroccoIn 1907, France began its conquest of the Sultanate of Morocco by occupying Oujda on 29 March. Subsequent military campaigns led to the Treaty of Fes in 1912, establishing the French protectorate, while pacification operations continued until 1934.
North America
- Mexican Revolution
A prolonged armed conflict among factions in Mexico from 1910 to 1920, aiming to end dictatorship, culminating in a constitution and a constitutional republic. It caused around one million deaths and profoundly transformed Mexican culture and government.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
Woolworth Building CompletionThe Woolworth Building was completed in 1912 in Manhattan, New York. Designed by architect Cass Gilbert, the 241-meter skyscraper is an early example of the Neo-Gothic style. It was briefly the world's tallest building and an influential prototype for later skyscrapers.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: No machine-readable author provided. Aude assumed (based on copyright claims). / Public domain ↗
Founding of the City of Audubon Park, KentuckyThe city of Audubon Park was established in Jefferson County, Kentucky, United States, at an unspecified time. It is located about 5 miles (8 km) south of downtown Louisville and is entirely surrounded by the city of Louisville.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: Retired username at en.wikipedia / CC BY-SA 3.0 ↗
East Asia
Xinhai RevolutionThe Xinhai Revolution broke out in 1911, overthrowing the Qing dynasty, ending over two millennia of imperial rule, and establishing the Republic of China. Sparked by the Wuchang Uprising, it forced the abdication of the Xuantong Emperor. Broadly, it included anti-Qing movements by organizations like the Xingzhonghui and Tongmenghui since 1894.
Central & South America
Banana WarsBetween 1898 and 1934, the United States carried out a series of military occupations, police actions, and interventions in Central America and the Caribbean. These operations were primarily conducted by the United States Marine Corps, which compiled the Small Wars Manual (1921) based on its experiences.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: A. R. Harrison, United States Marine Corps / Public domain ↗
West Asia
Founding of the TechnionThe Technion – Israel Institute of Technology was founded in 1912 in Haifa as a public research university, established by the Jewish community under Ottoman rule. It is the oldest institution of higher education in Israel, specializing in science and technology.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: Technion / Israel Istitute of Technology / CC BY-SA 2.0 ↗
South Asia
Completion of Mysore PalaceMysore Palace was completed in 1912 in Mysore, India, becoming the official residence of the Wadiyar dynasty. Commissioned by Krishnaraja Wodeyar IV after a fire destroyed the previous structure in 1897, the palace was built in the Indo-Saracenic style, blending various architectural influences, and is the largest of Mysore's seven palaces.
Around 1912
These are known only to the century, not to the year. They are listed separately so a rough date is never mistaken for an exact one.
- Completion of the Taipei Grand Mosque
- Establishment of Women's Suffrage Worldwide
- Establishment of Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park
- Construction of Grimeton Longwave Radio Station
- Construction of the Trans-Iranian Railway begins
- Construction of the 20th-Century Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright Begins
- Construction of the Historic Monuments of Dengfeng in 'The Centre of Heaven and Earth'
- Establishment of the Ancient Building Complex in the Wudang Mountains