The world in
What happened in 1913?
16 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.
Second Balkan WarIn June–July 1913, Bulgaria fought its former Balkan League allies—Serbia, Montenegro, and Greece—later joined by Romania and the Ottoman Empire. As Romanian forces neared Sofia, Bulgaria sought an armistice that led to the Treaty of Bucharest. Bulgaria renounced its claims, ceded parts of its First Balkan War gains to Serbia, Greece and the Ottoman Empire, and also yielded part of its original territory to Romania, fueling territorial disputes with neighbors.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: File:2nd-balkan-war-bulgarian-plan.png : StanProg at en.wikipedia derivative work: Avidius ( talk ) ( Transferred from e / Public domain ↗
Treaty of Bucharest (1913)On 10 August 1913, following the Second Balkan War, the Treaty of Bucharest was signed by Bulgaria, Romania, Serbia, Montenegro, and Greece. It amended the territorial provisions of the earlier Treaty of London and resulted in Bulgaria ceding large territories. About a month later, Bulgaria signed a separate border treaty with the Ottoman Empire, which regained some land west of the Enos-Midia Line.
- Signing of the Treaty of London (1913)
On 30 May 1913, following the First Balkan War, the Treaty of London was signed at the London Conference. It addressed territorial adjustments in the Balkans. The treaty was concluded without the Ottoman delegation present, as a coup in the Ottoman Empire had led to the withdrawal of its representatives from the conference.
- Signing of the Treaty of Constantinople
After the Second Balkan War, the Kingdom of Bulgaria and the Ottoman Empire signed a peace treaty on 29 September 1913 in Constantinople.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
Théâtre des Champs-Élysées inauguratedThe Théâtre des Champs-Élysées was inaugurated in Paris in 1913. Designed by architect Auguste Perret, it is an Art Deco building. That year, it hosted the notorious premiere of The Rite of Spring. The venue comprises a main hall and two smaller ones, and takes its name from the nearby avenue.
Groundbreaking of Stade de GerlandConstruction of Stade de Gerland began in 1913 in Lyon, France. The stadium later seated about 35,000 and became home to a local rugby club.
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 ↗
Grand Central Terminal OpensGrand Central Terminal opened in Midtown Manhattan, New York City, in the early 20th century. Located at 42nd Street and Park Avenue, it serves as the southern terminus for Metro-North Railroad lines to the northern metropolitan area. The station connects to the Long Island Rail Road via Grand Central Madison and to the New York City Subway. It is one of the busiest train stations in North America and a major transit hub alongside Penn Station.
SourcesWikipedia ↗Image: Fcb981 ; Eric Baetscher (attribution required) / CC BY-SA 3.0 ↗
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 ↗
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.
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 ↗
Oceania
Stirling Range National Park establishedStirling Range National Park was established in the early 20th century in the Great Southern region of Western Australia, approximately 337 kilometres south-east of Perth. The park serves as a significant nature reserve, protecting the unique ecosystems and biodiversity of the Stirling Range.
West Asia
Completion of the Ismailiyya PalaceIn 1913, the Ismailiyya Palace was completed in Baku, Azerbaijan. Designed by Polish architect Józef Płoszko and funded by millionaire Musa Naghiyev, it was built to commemorate his deceased son Ismayil, after whom it was named. The building initially housed a charity society and later became the Presidium of the Academy of Sciences of Azerbaijan.
Central Asian steppe
- Signing of the Treaty of Friendship and Alliance between Mongolia and Tibet
On 11 January 1913, representatives of Mongolia and Tibet signed the Treaty of Friendship and Alliance at Urga, declaring mutual recognition of sovereign independence. The status and authorization of the Tibetan signatory, Agvan Dorzhiev, were questioned; his Buryat citizenship and the scope of the Dalai Lama's mandate cast doubt on the treaty's validity.
SourcesWikipedia ↗
Around 1913
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