Arthur James Balfour is named prime minister of Great Britain, succeeding his uncle, Lord Salisbury. After the First World War, he issues the Balfour Declaration, pledging British support for a Jewish homeland in Palestine.

28 Sept.

Emile Zola, a French naturalist writer, dies. Zola's influence was widespread in American fiction at the turn of the century.

Dec.

The Aswan Dam, one of the architetural marvels of the century, is completed in Egypt.

7 Dec.

Great Britain and Germany issue an ultimatum demanding reparations from Venezuela following a violent takeover of the government there in 1899.

10 Dec.

The Nobel Prize for literature is awarded to Theodor Mommsen of Germany.

13 Dec.

18 Dec.

In England and Wales the Education Act extends primary education.