General Knowledge Contents

TIMELINE 1900's DateTypeEvent1919-01-06In 1919 the 26th President of the United States, Theodore Roosevelt died. Theodore Roosevelt was quite poorly as a child suffering from asthma he forced himself to live a strenuous life determined not to let it affect him. He studied hard and pursued a life in politics becoming vice president in 1901 to the 25th President, William McKinley. He became President within the year and spent two terms as the 26th President of the United States.  On the night of the 5th of January 1919, Roosevelt went to bed complaining of breathing problems and died in his sleep the following morning. Roosevelt is considered by many to be one of the greatest Presidents and he is immortalised on Mount Rushmore with his face carved into the side of the mountain along with Abraham Lincoln, George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.1919-01-16In 1919 prohibition began across the United States of America. Prohibition in the United States, spanning from 1920 to 1933, was a nationwide constitutional ban on the production, importation, transportation, and sale of alcoholic beverages. This transformative era arose from a combination of moral reform movements, social dynamics, and political campaigns, but it also gave rise to unintended consequences that reshaped American society. The 18th Amendment (also known as the Prohibition Amendment) was ratified on the 16th of January 1919 and forbade the "manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors for beverage purposes,". This law proved too difficult to enforce and gave organised crime a new revenue stream. The U.S. Government was forced to bring in the 21st Amendment in 1933 which ended Prohibition. The temperance movement emerged in the early 19th century, advocating for...

TIMELINE 1900's DateTypeEvent1918-07-16In 1918 the last Russian Tsar, Nicholas II, was executed with his wife and children after the ‘February Revolution’. After the ‘February Revolution’ between the 8th and 12th of March (called the February Revolution because it started in February based on the old Julian calendar used at the time) Tsar Nicholas II was forced to abdicate by the will of the people. His Army garrison in the capital of Petrograd (now St. Petersburg) had also joined the revolutionaries calling for socialist reforms and it was not safe for him or his family anymore. Upon his abdication, he named his brother as his successor, but he wisely turned down the position which ended Tsarist rule in Russia. When counter-revolutionary forces began to advance on the captive ex-Tsar’s position in July 1918, the soviet revolutionaries executed Nicholas, his wife, children and many of the servants, shooting them dead on the night of the 16th of July 1918.1918-08-11    In 1918 the most decisive battle of World War I “The Battle of Amiens” ends in victory to the Allies. The Russian revolution of 1917 led them to agreeing a ceasefire on the eastern front on the 15th of December 1917 effectively leaving the First World War. With the Eastern Front ended Germany’s most senior officer, Erich Ludendorff, suddenly had a huge supply of battle ready troops ready to fight against the remaining allies on the Western Front. Ludendorff devised a plan he called the “Emperor’s Battle” which involved the full force of the new troops attacking one point in the western front which was being held by the British Expeditionary Forces near the...

TIMELINE 1900's DateTypeEvent1917-04-16  On this day in 1917 Vladimir Lenin returned to Russia after his exile for advocating socialism by Tsar Nicholas II. The Russian people had had enough of the growing poverty, governmental corruption and tremendous loss of life for Russia in World War I, which all happened under Tsarist Rule. On the 8th of March 1917 in the Capital of Petrograd (now St. Petersburg) more than 90,000 protesters clashed with police and remained on the streets. The protesters would not leave despite being attacked by the army on the 11th of March and many being killed the protestors resolve didn’t waver. Later that day 150,000 soldiers joined the protestors and on the 14th all Russian Soldiers in the capital had been ordered not to harm the civilians. On the 15 of March Nicholas II abdicated, giving the throne to his brother Michael. Michael refused the crown and Tsar Rule in Russia was ended after hundreds of years. This was the first part of the Russian revolution over and on this day in 1917 (or on the 3rd of April using the old Julian calendar) Lenin returned to Russia at the height of celebration for the defeat of the Tsar. With revolution in the air, and Lenin, Zinoviev, Trotsky and other Bolsheviks (a division of the Russian Social-Democratic Workers' Party (RSDWP) that advocate militarism) would rally the Russian people together and initiate phase two (the ‘Red October Revolution’) which would bring Socialism to Russia. Lenin would become the Leader of the Communist Party in Russia until his death on the 21st of January 1924 when he died of...

TIMELINE 1900's DateTypeEvent1916-01-05In 1916 Prime Minister of Great Britain Herbert Asquith introduces the first military conscription bill in British history.  Although the number of volunteers from Britain was huge, with a little under half a million men voluntarily enlisting within the first 6 weeks, numbers dwindled against the German army that had been growing through conscription for 40 years. By 1916 the Prime Minister and Lord Horatio Herbert Kitchener, Britain's secretary of state for war, felt they had no choice but to introduce a military conscription bill that was passed and came into effect on the 10th of February 1916. Initially, only single men aged 18 to 41 were liable to be called up for military service, but this was later extended to include married men as well. Those who refused military service on moral, religious, or political grounds were known as conscientious objectors. They faced tribunals to assess the validity of their claims, and some were assigned non-combatant roles or alternative civilian work. Others faced imprisonment or harsh treatment. Conscription continued until the end of World War I in 1918. It was briefly revived during the interwar period and again during World War II.1916-02-02In 1916 two days after one of the largest bombing raids by the German Zeppelins of World War I, one of the aircraft was found floating in the North Sea. The nine Zeppelins used in the raid dropped 400 bombs over the midlands of England, killing 70 people and injuring hundreds. King Stephen, a fishing trawler, found the damaged zeppelin on this day in 1916.1916-03-09In 1916 Germany declares War on Portugal in retaliation for its support of the United Kingdom.  Portugal made Alliance with Great Britain in...

TIMELINE 1900's DateTypeEvent1915-01-19In 1915 The first Zeppelins attacked the United Kingdom by the Germans as part of their World War I offensive. The first Zeppelin air raid on London (and first Air raid in history) was attempted on the 19th of  January 1915, during the early stages of World War I. While this raid did not directly hit the capital, it marked the beginning of a new era in warfare, where civilian populations became targets of aerial bombing. It was a precursor to the more devastating raids that would follow later in the war. Two German Navy Zeppelins, L3 and L4, were assigned to bomb Britain. Their primary targets were believed to be London and military installations in eastern England. However, due to poor weather and navigation challenges, the airships did not reach London. Instead, they dropped bombs on several coastal towns in Norfolk and Suffolk, including Great Yarmouth and King’s Lynn. Although only 4 people were killed it would mark the beginning of strategic bombing as a military tactic. It set the stage for future raids, including the May 1915 Zeppelin raid, which successfully targeted London dropping 40 bombs and killing 7 people. While the January raid achieved limited success, it introduced the British public to the reality of aerial warfare and prompted innovations in both military technology and civilian defence. The British government responded by improving air defences, including deploying searchlights, anti-aircraft guns, and fighter aircraft.    1915-04-22   On this day in 1915 the Germans first used poisonous gas in the trenches of the Western Front. Normally after a barrage of artillery fire in the trenches of World War I silence...

TIMELINE 1900's DateTypeEvent1914-07-23In 1914 following the Assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, Austro-Hungary gives the Kingdom of Serbia an Ultimatum.   When the Heir Presumptive to the Austro-Hungarian throne, Franz Ferdinand, was assassinated by Serbian, Gavrilo Princip, on the 28th of June 1914 the Austro-Hungarian immediately accused the government of the Kingdom of Serbia. The Kingdom of Serbia were furious over the Austro Hungarian annexing of Bosnia and Herzegovina and it was while visiting the Bosnian Capital of Sarajevo that Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated.   Bad blood existed between the two Minor powers for some time and on the 7th of July 1914, in response to the assassination, the Ministerial Council of Austro-Hungary convened in Vienna to discuss the “measures to be used in reforming the evil internal political conditions in Bosnia and Herzegovina, as shown up by the disastrous event at Sarajevo”. Diplomatic preparations had already been made when the Austro-Hungarian government met with delegates from the German Government who assured them that Germany would support any acts of aggression with Serbia. The events of that month which led up to the First World War is known as “the July Crisis”.   With this assurance in mind the Ministerial Council began to “make up their minds as to whether the moment had not come for reducing Serbia to permanent inoffensiveness by a demonstration of their power”. The Ministers agreed on placing demands on Serbia that “must undoubtedly be hard, but should not be impossible of fulfilment. Should Serbia accept them we should be able to quote a dazzling diplomatic victory, and our prestige in the Balkans would be raised”. If their demands were not met...

Argon: Periodic Table Element and Properties Argon, a noble gas with the atomic number 18, is a colourless, odourless, and tasteless element that occupies a unique position in the periodic table. It is classified as a member of Group 18, which is known for its inertness and lack of reactivity under standard conditions. Argon is the third most abundant gas in the Earth’s atmosphere, following nitrogen and oxygen, and it constitutes approximately 0.93% of the atmosphere by volume. Its discovery and subsequent applications have made it an essential component in various fields, from industrial processes to scientific research. The significance of argon extends beyond its abundance; it plays a crucial role in numerous applications due to its inert nature. Unlike many other gases, argon does not readily form compounds with other elements, making it an ideal choice for environments where reactions must be minimised. This characteristic has led to its widespread use in welding, lighting, and even in the preservation of historical artefacts. As we delve deeper into the properties, uses, and history of argon, it becomes evident that this noble gas is not merely a passive component of the atmosphere but a vital element in modern technology and science. Argon might not be the most talked-about element, but it plays an essential role in our everyday lives and in scientific research. As a noble gas, argon is known for being inert and unreactive, making it perfect for environments where other elements would be too volatile. This article explores argon’s discovery, properties, uses, and its important place on the periodic table. Whether you’re a science enthusiast or just curious...

  As of February 2025, European nations and institutions have collectively provided more financial aid to Ukraine than the United States. The European Union (EU) and its member states have committed approximately $267 billion in total assistance, encompassing military, financial, and humanitarian support. In contrast, the United States has allocated around $120 billion in aid to Ukraine. welt.destatista.com The Ukraine crisis, which erupted in 2014, has its roots in a complex interplay of historical, political, and social factors. The immediate catalyst was the Euromaidan protests, which began in November 2013 when then-President Viktor Yanukovych suspended an association agreement with the European Union in favour of closer ties with Russia. This decision ignited widespread discontent among Ukrainians who sought greater integration with Europe and a departure from the influence of Moscow. The protests escalated into a broader movement demanding democratic reforms and an end to corruption, culminating in Yanukovych’s ousting in February 2014. In the wake of this political upheaval, Russia annexed Crimea, a move that was met with international condemnation and led to a protracted conflict in Eastern Ukraine, particularly in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. The crisis has not only reshaped Ukraine’s political landscape but has also had profound implications for regional stability and international relations. The conflict has drawn in various global powers, with the European Union and the United States playing pivotal roles in supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The situation remains fluid, characterised by ongoing military confrontations, economic challenges, and a humanitarian crisis that has displaced millions. As Ukraine continues to navigate its path towards reform and integration with Western institutions, the involvement of...