Tag Archives: 1898

23 August 1898

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The Southern Cross Expedition, the first British venture of the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration, departs from London.

The 1898 Southern Cross Expedition was an important scientific journey led by Carsten Borchgrevink, a Norwegian-British explorer, to the continent of Antarctica. This expedition is notable for being one of the earliest attempts to conduct scientific research in Antarctica and for contributing to our understanding of the region’s harsh conditions.

Leader and Participants: Carsten Borchgrevink, a Norwegian-born British explorer, organized and led the expedition. The team included scientists, crew members, and explorers from various backgrounds.

Ship and Arrival: The expedition was carried out aboard the ship “Southern Cross,” which was a steamship and sail-powered vessel. The expedition party arrived in Antarctica in January 1899, making landfall at Cape Adare on the northern tip of the continent.

Scientific Focus: The primary goal of the expedition was to conduct scientific research and gather data about the natural environment, wildlife, meteorology, and geography of Antarctica. The team collected specimens of plants, animals, and rocks, and conducted various studies related to the region’s geology, biology, and climate.

Wintering Over: The team spent the Antarctic winter of 1899 at Cape Adare. This was a challenging period due to the extreme cold, isolation, and limited resources. They constructed huts to shelter themselves from the harsh conditions.

Achievements and Challenges: Despite the difficulties, the expedition achieved significant scientific discoveries. They documented new species of animals and plants and conducted important studies on meteorological conditions and terrestrial magnetism. However, the team faced numerous challenges, including food shortages, disagreements among members, and the harsh Antarctic environment.

Legacy: The 1898 Southern Cross Expedition is often recognized for its pioneering efforts in conducting scientific research in Antarctica. It laid the groundwork for future explorations and expeditions that would contribute to our understanding of the continent’s unique ecosystem and its importance in global climate systems.

Publication: Upon returning to England, Borchgrevink published an account of the expedition titled “First on the Antarctic Continent.” The publication detailed the challenges and achievements of the expedition and further raised public awareness about Antarctica.

16 March 1898

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In Melbourne, the representatives of five colonies adopt a constitution, which would become the basis of the Commonwealth of Australia.

Australia has a written constitution, which is the fundamental law of the country. The Constitution of Australia came into effect on January 1, 1901, and outlines the structure and powers of the federal government, as well as the relationship between the federal and state governments.

The Australian Constitution also guarantees certain individual rights and freedoms, including the right to trial by jury, the right to vote, and the right to freedom of religion. The Constitution can only be changed through a process known as a referendum, which requires a majority vote in both houses of Parliament and approval by the majority of voters in a national referendum.

25 April 1898

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The United States declares war on Spain.

On 25 April 1898, the United States Congress declared war upon Spain. The ensuing Spanish–American War resulted in a decisive victory for the United States, and arguably served as a transitional period for both nations. Spain saw its days of empire fade, as the United States saw the prospect of overseas empire emerge. The war was ended by the Treaty of Paris signed on December 10 that same year.

The Spanish–American War originated out of the Cuban War of Independence, launched in February 1895. For decades the United States had watched political developments on Cuba, with which it had extensive economic ties. Historians have long debated America’s intentions in becoming involved in the conflict. For a significant period during and after the war, selfless humanitarian interest in the fate of the Cuban people was accepted as the major impetus for the declaration of war. A supporting argument for this line of thinking is that yellow journalism created an inflammatory mood in the country and swayed public opinion to sympathize with Cuba. Recently this school of thinking has grown less popular. Many historians now believe that the United States was acting more out of its own self-interest, in particular to assist long-term goals of creating an Isthmian canal, and pursuing trade with China.

On February 15, 1898, an explosion aboard the USS Maine in Havana harbor killed 260 US personnel. Public opinion in the U.S., driven in part by the yellow journalism of William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer, blamed Spain, though Spain has no reason for wanting to provoke the U.S. to intervene in Cuba’s war for independence, then more than three years old. The U.S. Congress passed legislation allocating an additional $50 million for the military on March 9 and on March 26 President William McKinley demanded that Spain end hostilities by October 1. Spain rejected McKinley’s proposal and objected to his interference. McKinley requested authorization from Congress to intervene in Cuba on April 11. Two days later the U.S. Congress by vote of 311 to 6 in the House and 42 to 35 in the Senate passed the Joint Resolution for Cuban independence, which both disavowed any intention of annexing Cuba and authorized the President to use military force to end hostilities between Spain and Cuba. An ultimatum to leave Cuba or face American military intervention was forwarded to Spain on April 20. The Spanish interpreted this ultimatum as declaration of war, even though it technically was not, dismissed the U.S. ambassador, and declared war. On April 22, the U.S. fleet set sail from Key West, Florida, to establish a blockade and prevent the Spanish from delivering supplies to its military forces in Cuba. The U.S. responded by declaring on April 25 that a state of war had existed since the 21st.

A bill declaring that war exists between the United States of America and the Kingdom of Spain.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, First. That war be, and the same is hereby, declared to exist, and has existed since the twenty-first day of April, A.D. 1898, including said day, between the United States of America and the Kingdom of Spain.

Second. That the President of the United States be, and he hereby is, directed and empowered to use the entire land and naval forces of the United States and to call into the actual service of the United States the militia of the several States, to such extent as may be necessary to carry this act into effect.

Approved, April 25, 1898.