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Victoria is born
Alexandrina Victoria was born in Kensington Palace in London. Her mother and father were the Duchess and Duke of Kent, but she was raised by her mother because her father died when she was young. Victoria became the heir to the throne because her three uncles who were ahead of her in sucession had no legitimate children ("Victoria"). -
Beetoven's Ninth Symphony
Beethoven's ninth symphony was written in D Major. It first premiered in Vienna and even though Beethoven was deaf, he still attempted to conduct the performance, even though there was a real conductor. Beethoven inscribed the British copy of the symphony to the Philharmonic Society and the handwritten score is on display at the Morgan Library and Museum (Grun 389). This was one of Beethoven's many important symphonies. -
Queen Victoria's coronation
Queen Victoria's coronation was the untimate celebration in Britain. The ceremony lasted five hours and the celebrations lasted four days. There were celebrations in the streets, fairs in the park and fireworks in London (Bernard 36). This is important because Victoria became queen. -
Victoria marries Prince Albert
Victoria married Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha who was also her cousin. Their marriage took place in Chapel Royal in St. James's Palace. This event is important because Albert became the master of the house, moral guide and Victoria came to depend on him. He served as her private secretary and confidential advisor (Swisher 17). -
The Public Health Act of 1848
The Public Health Act was passed to try to deal with issues concerning public health. It established a Central Board of Health and allowed Local Boards of Health to be established if more than 10% of the population petitioned for one. Although it was not necessary for every city to have a Board of Health, it was important because it was the first attempt to deal with public health issues. This act led to the Sanitary Act of 1866, which produced more desired results of public sanitation (Bloy). -
The Great Exhibition takes place
Prince Albert organized an elaborate exhibit to celebrate the arts, sciences and industry of the period. This exhibition was important becasuse it let Britain show its industrial supremacy and prosperity. Six million people came to the exhibition and it generated large amounts of money. This exhibition led to a permanent national museum (Bernard 61-62). -
First telegraph in India
The telegraph system in India is one of its oldest communication systems. In 1853, 4000 telegraph lines were constructed across India connecting important cities like Calcutta, Agra, Chennai and Bangladore. Recently, after running for about 160 years, India decided to stop the service (Grun 1853). This event was important because it established a communciation system across India. -
Work on Suez Canal begins
Work began on the Suez Canal under Ferdinand de Lesseps direction. It was constructed to shorten trade routes and is an artifical waterway between the Meditteranean and Red Seas. Work on the canal ended in 1869, measuring 100 miles long, 30 feet deep and 100 feet wide. The Suez Canal continues to be important today to carry petroleum products from the Middle East to European refineries (Grun 423). -
Prince Albert dies
At age 42 and already in ill health, Prince Albert went to Cambridge in icy weather to redeem his son from his affair with an actress. Another cause of his death was that he was suffering from typhiod. When Prince Albert died, Victoria went into complete seclusion for years and wore mourning until her death ("Victoria"). This is important because Victoria's withdrawal form the public made her unpopular for a short time. -
Alfred Nobel invents dynamite
Alfred patented dynamite in 1867 in Europe. After it was invented, there a high demand for it in the military. Nobel gained a fortune for his inventions, and even though his inventions suggest otherwise, Alfred was a lifelong humanitarian. Most of his fortune went to the Nobel Foundation (Grun 429). This invention was important for military uses and because it gave money to the Nobel Foundation. -
The Education Act
Victoria believed the provision of education was important, so The Education Act encouraged children to get an education through School Attendence Committees. It also made parents responsible for making sure that their children recieved basic education. It was not necessary, but the school committees could help pay for a child with a poor family's fees. This act is important because it led to the Free Grant Act of 1891, making elementary education free of charge (Bloy). -
Victoria becomes Empress of India
After the Indian Rebellion of 1876 the government of India fell apart. Prince Albert urged Victoria to transfer the government of India to the Crown, or British government. Victoria was then crowned Empress of India under the Royal Titles Act ("Victoria"). This event is significant because Victoria's rule and empire grew larger. -
Brooklyn Bridge is opened to traffic
The Brooklyn Bridge in New York is a suspension bridge that shows the impact of the Industrial Revolution. This bridge dwarfed skyscrapers spanning 3,500 feet and its towers rising to 276 feet. This bridge is significant because it symbolized a new construction technology using iron and steel (Grun 441). -
First Modern Olympics held
The first modern Olympics was held in Athens, Greece to try and recreate a tradition of an athletic competition dating back to 776 BC in Greece. Fourteen nations competed in 43 events and 241 male athletes participated, but no females. These games were important because they led to modern day games, with almost 11,000 males and females competing in the summer events (Grun 451). -
Victoria's Diamond Jubilee
The Diamond Jubilee was important because it was the 60th anniversary of Queen Victoria's ascension of the throne and was celebrated with geat enthusiam. By this time she was the longest reigning monarch in British history. Victoria was 78 and had limited mobility, but she still attended various national events (Phillips 222). -
Queen Victoria dies
In 1900 Victoria's health began to decline. She was plagued by indigestion, loss of appetite, insomnia and exhaustion. She spent her final weeks at Osborne House on the Isle of Wright. Victoria then suffered a stroke on January 17 and died a few days later. Her death ended a 63 year reign and marked the end of the Victorian Age (Phillips 223). Ths death is significant because it marked the end of the longest reign of a monarch in British history.
