GREAT WORLD EVENTS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 44, 21 January 1936, Page 8

GREAT WORLD EVENTS

MOMENTOUS YEARS OF REIGN. MANY INCIDENTS REVIEWED. The march of world events during the life and reign ol His Majesty tlie Ring have been described as possessing • ‘all the surge and thunder of another Odyssey.” King George’s early life had largely tor its background the solidity or Victorian England, but he came to the throne when times and customs were changing. The 25 years of his reign have been among the most momentous in history. In the following chronological table are listed many of the more important personal and public events in the life and reign of the King: 18G5, J line 3. —Birth of the King at Marlborough House, Pall Mall, London. He was the second son ol the Prince and Princess of Waifs, later King Edward and Queen Alexandra, 1865, July 8. —The young Prince christened in the private chapel at Windsor by the Archbishop of Canterbury before a distinguished assembly. He was named George Frederick Ernest Albert. YOUTH SPENT IN NAVY. 1877. —After a childhood spent between London, Sandringham, Osborne and Balmoral, Prince George, with his brother, Prince Albert, joined the training ship Britannia at opitnead as a naval cadet. Queen Victoria declared Empress of India. 1879-1882. —The two Princes transfer to H.M.S. Bacchante as midshipmen and tour tlie world, visiting the West Indies, South America, South

Africa, Australia, Fiji, Java. Ceylon, Egypt, Palestine and Greece. 1883. —Service in H.M.S. Canada on the North American and West Indian station, and later entry do the Royal Naval College, at Greenwich. 1885. —Prince George promoted, lieutenant in the Royal Navy. 1885-1889.—Service in H.M.S. Thun-

derer, Dreadnought, Alexandra and Northumberland, the last-named ship being flagship of the China‘Squadron.

1889.—Prince George receives his first command, that of torpedo boat No. 79, in naval manoeuvres off the Irish

coast. 1890. —Service in H.M.S. Thrush and in command of a gunboat on the North American and West Indian station.

1891. —Prince George promoted commander in the Royal Navy. DEATH OF ELDER BROTHER.

1892. —In command of H.M.S. Meiampus. Sudden death of.. Prince Albert, Duke of Clarence, brings Prince George into the direct line of

succession. Prince George created Duke of York Earl of Inverness and Baron Killarney, and tlie announcement made that lie had re-

linquished his career in the Navy. 1893, May 6. —Official announcement of the engagement of the Duke of York to Princess May, only daughter of the Duchess of Teclc.

1893, July 6. —Marriage of the Duke of York and Princess May in the Chapel Royal, St. James’s Palace. Their honeymoon later spent at York Cottage, Sandringham, which they used for many years as their home. 1894, June 23.—Birth of Edward, present Prince of Wales, first son of the Duke and Duchess of York, at White Lodge, Richmond, the* home of the Duchess of Teck.

1895, Decefnber 14. —Birth of Albert, present Duke of York, at York Cottage.

1897.- —-Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee. The Duke of York, as captain, in command of H.AI.S. Crescent. 1§97, April 25. —Birth of Princess Alary.

1899. —Successful visit to Ireland by the Duke and Duchess of York. Outbreak of the Boer AVar in South Africa.

1900, Alarch 31.—Birth of Henry, present Duke of Gloucester. ROYAL EAIPIRE TOUR.

1901.—Death of Queen Victoria on January 21, folluwed by the accession of King Edward. Tlie Empire tour of the Duke and Duchess of York, previously arranged, was allowed to proceed. King Edward created liis son Duke of Cornwall, and the Royal party left on Alarch 16 <sn the Ophir for a tour of Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and Canada, returning to England in November. The historic title of Prince of AVales then conferred on the Duke of York, who made an important speech at the Guildhall, impressing on England the need for Empire development.

1902.—Coronation of King Edward. Treaty concluded between Great Britain and Japan. Surrender of Boer leaders at Pretoria and end of Boer War on Alay 31. 1902, December 20. —Birth of Prince George, present Duke of Kent. 1904. —Russo-Japanese AVar commenced. British force reached Lhasa, on September 7. 1905, July 12. —Birth of Prince John. 1905. —Visit of the Prince and Princess of AA’ales to India, returning the following year.

1906.—Prince and Princess of AA r a]es attend the wedding of Rrincess Ena of Battenberg to King Alfonso XIII of Spain at Aladrid. A bomb thrown at the bridal carriage killed 27 people watching the procession. 1908.—Visit of Prince of AA’ales to Canada for the Tercentenary celebrations at Quebec. ACCESSION TO THRONE. 1910, Alay 6. —Death of King Edward and accession to the Tnrone of Prince of . wales as King George V. 1911, June 22. —Coronation ceremony in AA’estminster Abbey.

1911, November 11. —Departure of King and Queen by the Medina for India, where the Delhi Durbar took place oil December 12.

19i2-1913. —Political unrest engendered by. the dispute between tlie Doras and Commons; troubles in Ireland; suffragette activities.

1913, May 21.—His Majesty visits Berlin to attend the marriage of the Kaiser’s daughter to the Duke oi Cumberland.

1914, April 21.—King and Queen pay State visit to Paris.

1914, July.—Round Table Conference' at Buckingham Palace regarding the Irish question, an event unique in British political annals. 1914, August 4.—War declared against Germany. 1914-1918. —Tlie world at war. Frequent visits paid by His Majesty to the Western Front. un one visit, at the end .of 1917, was accompanied by the Queen. 1918, November 11. —Signing of the Armistice. Later Their Majesties were greeted with unbounded enthusiasm as they took part in triumphal processions through London. 1918, November-December. —Visit ol Their Majesties to France and Belgium. President Woodrow 'Wilson arrives in London. 1919, January 18.—Death of Their Majesties’ youngest son, Prince John. 1919, February 3.—Peace Conference opens in Paris. 1919, June 15. —First direct flight across the Atlantic by Alcock and Brown.

1920, January 13.—Peace Treaty ratified in Paris, followed three days later by. the first meeting of the League of Nations in Paris. 1920, March 10.—Prince of Wales left England for his tour of Australia and New Zealand. 1920, November 11.— Unveiling of the Cenotaph in Whitehall, London, by the King and burial of the Unknown Warrior in Westminster Abbey. 1920, November 15. —First meeting of the League of Nations at Geneva. 1921, June 23.-—Visit of the King and Queen to Belfast to open tlie Parliament of Northern Ireland, His Majesty having taken an active personal part in efforts to arrange a solution of the Irish problem. 1922, February 28. —Marriage of Princess Mary to Viscount Lascelles in Westminster Abbey. 1922, February.—-Announcement of the termination of the British Protectorate over Egypt. 1922, September.—Turkish situation assumes grave proportions. 1922, October 19. —Resignation of the Prime Minister. Mr Lloyd George. 1923, January 28.—Failure of Reparations Conference; French troops despatched to the Ruhr. 1923, February 7. —Birth of the King’s first grandchild, the son of Princess Mary and Viscount Lascelles. 1923, February 7. —Marriage of the Duke of York to Lady Elizabeth Bowes-Lyon in Westminster Abbey. 1923, November 16. —Mr Stanley. Baldwin, who had succeeded Mr Bonar Law as Prime Minister, announces dissolution of Parliament. 1923, December 6. —Conservative Party defeated at general elections. FIRST LABOUR GOVERNMENT. 1924, January.—Formation of the first Labour Government in Britain under the leadership of Mr Ra'msay MacDonald. 1924, October 29. —Labour Government defeated at general elections; large majority for Conservatives; Mr Baldwin again Prime Minister. 1925. Prince of Wales ■'tours Africa. 1925, November 20. —Death of Queen Alexandra, tlie King’s mother. 1926, April 21. —Birth of Princess Elizabeth, daughter of the Duke and Duchess of York. 1926, May 3-12. —General strike in England. 1926, October. —Imperial Conference held in London. 1927. —Tour of Australia and New Zealand bv Duke and Duchess of York. 1927, April 23.—New Zealand offers £1,000,000 toward the cost of tlie Singapore Naval Base. 1928. —Hinkler flies from London to Australia in 16 days and Kings-ford-Smith flies across the Pacific in three stages. KING’S GRAVE ILLNESS. 1928, November. —Serious illness of the King, following a chill contracted while His Majesty was attendingtlie Armistice Day observances at the Cenotaph in London. There was unprecedented public concern for bis welfare. 1929, May.—Defeat of Conservative Government at general elect ions; second Labour Government in poiver. 1929. June 6.—Memorable message of thanksgiving issued by His Majesty on recovery from his illness. 1930, January 20. —His Majesty opens the London Naval Conference. 1930, March 3. —Civil disobedience campaign opened in India. 1930, October B.—lmi?6rial Conference in London. 1930. November 12.—Indian Round Table Conference opened in London by the King. 1931. —Visit by. Prince of Wales and Prince George to South America. 1931, April 4.—First official air mail from England to Australia despatched from Croydon. 1931, September.—Downfall of tlie second Labour Government, following tlie economic crisis, and formation of the National Government under Air AlacDonald, later returned with a huge majority at the general elections in October. 1932, January 1. —The title of Princess Royal bestowed on Princess Alarv. Countess of Harewood. CONFERENCE OPENED. 1932, April 23.—Opening of the Shakespeare Alemorial Theatre at Stratford-on-Avon by the Prince oi Wales. 1932, July 1. —Success of huge war loan conversion scheme in England. 1932, August.—lmperial Economic Conference held at Ottawa to investigate problems of Empire trade. j 1932, October 2. —Report by Lytton Commission on Alanchuria situation, favourable to China as against Japan. 1933, June 12. —World Economic Conference opened in London by the King. 1934, April 17.—British Budget reveals a surplus of £31,000,000 and, after a period of strict economy, results in certain reductions in taxation and increases in unemployment benefits and civil -servants’ salaries. 1934, September 27.—The giant Cunard liner Queen Alary launched on the Clyde by Her Alajesty. 1934, October 18.—Alelbourne Centenarv. celebrations opened by tlie Duke' - of Gloucester. 1934, October 23. —Melbourne Centenary air race won by Alessrs C. W. A. Scott and Campbell Black in a British machine. 1934 November 29. —Wedding af the Duke of Kent to Process Alanna of Greece. 1934 December 15. —The Duke ol Gloucester arrives in Wellington to commence hiß New Zealand tour, which terminated on January 29. 1935. 1935, Atay 6.—Week of Empire wide rejoicings began in tlie celebration of the silver jubilee of the King’s reign. » 1935, November. —Duke of Gloucester married.