1. Death of Queen Victoria: Queen Victoria passed away on January 22, 1901, at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight. Her reign of over 63 years marked the end of the Victorian era, leaving a lasting legacy on British society, culture, and politics.
2. Ascension of King Edward VII: Upon Queen Victoria's death, her eldest son, Albert Edward, ascended the throne as King Edward VII. His reign marked the beginning of the Edwardian era, known for its elegance, extravagance, and cultural developments.
3. General Election: A general election was held in October and November 1900, in which the Conservative Party, led by Lord Salisbury, won a majority of seats in the House of Commons.
4. Boer War Continues: The Second Boer War, which began in 1899 between the British Empire and the Boer republics of South Africa, continued throughout 1901. The war saw heavy British casualties and sparked controversies over the tactics employed.
5. Formation of the Labour Representation Committee (LRC): The LRC, which later became the Labour Party, was established in 1900 to represent the political interests of the working class. This represented a significant step in the development of the British Labour movement.
6. Census: The 1901 census revealed that the population of England and Wales had reached 32.5 million, while the population of Scotland was around 4.5 million. The census also highlighted significant changes in urbanisation and industrialisation.
7. Education Act: The Education Act of 1901 introduced several changes to the British educational system, establishing local education authorities and abolishing school boards.
8. Cultural Achievements: In the realm of culture and arts, several notable achievements occurred in 1901, including the publication of Joseph Conrad's novel "Heart of Darkness" and the opening of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London.
9. Sport: The FA Cup, the oldest association football competition in the world, was won by Tottenham Hotspur in 1901, marking their first major trophy.