1910s - Definition and Overview

Events and trends

Science

• Einstein's theory of general relativity
• Max von Laue discovers the diffraction of x-rays by crystals
• Alfred Wegener puts forward his theory of continental drift

War, peace and politics

• Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand of Austria-Hungary leads to World War I
• October Revolution in Russia leads to the first Communist government; assassination of Emperor Nicholas II and the royal family
• Romania is unified with Transylvania and Bessarabia

Others

• The ocean liner RMS Titanic strikes an iceberg in the North Atlantic and sinks on its maiden voyage

World leaders

• Emperor Franz Josef (Austria-Hungary)
• Emperor Karl (Austria-Hungary)
• Prime Minister Sir Robert Borden (Canada)
• Emperor Henry Pu Yi of the Qing Dynasty (China)
• Sun Yat-sen, President of the Republic of China
• Yuan Shikai, President of the Republic of China and briefly Emperor.
• Xu Shichang, President of the Republic of China
• Emperor Wilhelm II (Germany)
• Chancellor Theobald von Bethmann-Hollweg (Germany)
• King Victor Emmanuel III (Italy)
• Pope Pius X
• Emperor Nicholas II (Russia)
• Vladimir Lenin (Soviet Union)
• King George V (United Kingdom)
• Prime Minister Herbert Asquith (United Kingdom)
• Prime Minister David Lloyd George (United Kingdom)
• President William Howard Taft (United States)
• President Woodrow Wilson (United States)