April 20 » U.S. President William McKinley signed a joint resolution to Congress for declaration of war against Spain, beginning the Spanish–American War.
May 1 » Spanish–American War: Battle of Manila Bay: The Asiatic Squadron of the United States Navy destroys the Pacific Squadron of the Spanish Navy after a seven-hour battle. Spain loses all seven of its ships, and 381 Spanish sailors die. There are no American vessel losses or combat deaths.
July 4 » En route from New York to Le Havre, the SS La Bourgogne collides with another ship and sinks off the coast of Sable Island, with the loss of 549 lives.
August 11 » Spanish–American War: American troops enter the city of Mayagüez, Puerto Rico.
August 13 » Spanish–American War: Spanish and American forces engage in a mock battle for Manila, after which the Spanish commander surrendered in order to keep the city out of Filipino rebel hands.
December 18 » Gaston de Chasseloup-Laubat sets the first officially recognized land speed record of 39.245mph (63.159km/h) in a Jeantaud electric car.
Day of death August 31, 1899
The temperature on August 31, 1899 was about 16.4 °C. The airpressure was 76 cm mercury. The atmospheric humidity was 84%. Source: KNMI
July 17 » NEC Corporation is organized as the first Japanese joint venture with foreign capital.
September 13 » Mackinder, Ollier and Brocherel make the first ascent of Batian (5,199 m - 17,058ft), the highest peak of Mount Kenya.
September 23 » The American Asiatic Squadron destroys a Filipino battery at the Battle of Olongapo.
October 11 » The Second Boer War erupts in South Africa between the British-ruled Cape Colony, and the Boer-ruled Transvaal and Orange Free State.
November 28 » The Second Boer War: a British column is engaged by Boer forces at the Battle of Modder River; although the Boers withdraw, the British suffer heavy casualties.
December 11 » Second Boer War: In the Battle of Magersfontein the Boers commanded by general Piet Cronjé inflict a defeat on the forces of the British Empire commanded by Lord Methuen trying to relieve the Siege of Kimberley.
When copying data from this family tree, please include a reference to the origin: J. van Broekhoven, "Database Van Broekhoven", database, Genealogy Online (https://www.genealogieonline.nl/database-van-broekhoven/I67041.php : accessed February 17, 2026), "Woutera Ketels (1898-1899)".
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