May 7 » In Saint Petersburg, Russian scientist Alexander Stepanovich Popov demonstrates to the Russian Physical and Chemical Society his invention, the Popov lightning detector—a primitive radio receiver. In some parts of the former Soviet Union the anniversary of this day is celebrated as Radio Day.
May 25 » Playwright, poet and novelist Oscar Wilde is convicted of "committing acts of gross indecency with other male persons" and sentenced to serve two years in prison.
June 27 » The inaugural run of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad's Royal Blue from Washington, D.C., to New York City, the first U.S. passenger train to use electric locomotives.
June 28 » The United States Court of Private Land Claims rules James Reavis’s claim to Barony of Arizona is "wholly fictitious and fraudulent."
October 8 » Korean Empress Myeongseong is assassinated by Japanese infiltrators.
Day of marriage December 16, 1914
The temperature on December 16, 1914 was between 5.7 °C and 8.6 °C and averaged 6.7 °C. There was 7.6 mm of rain. There was 0.4 hours of sunshine (5%). The average windspeed was 4 Bft (moderate breeze) and was prevailing from the west. Source: KNMI
In The Netherlands , there was from August 29, 1913 to September 9, 1918 the cabinet Cort van der Linden, with Mr. P.W.A. Cort van der Linden (liberaal) as prime minister.
August 6 » World War I: Serbia declares war on Germany; Austria declares war on Russia.
September 17 » World War I: The Race to the Sea begins.
September 22 » A German submarine sinks three British cruisers over a seventy-minute period, killing almost 1500 sailors.
December 15 » World War I: The Serbian Army recaptures Belgrade from the invading Austro-Hungarian Army.
December 25 » A series of unofficial truces occur across the Western Front to celebrate Christmas.
Day of death January 1, 1974
The temperature on January 1, 1974 was between -3.7 °C and -0.8 °C and averaged -1.9 °C. There was -0.1 mm of rain. The partly or heavily clouded was. The average windspeed was 2 Bft (weak wind) and was prevailing from the east-southeast. Source: KNMI
In The Netherlands , there was from Friday, May 11, 1973 to Monday, December 19, 1977 the cabinet Den Uyl, with Drs. J.M. den Uyl (PvdA) as prime minister.
January 2 » United States President Richard Nixon signs a bill lowering the maximum U.S. speed limit to 55 MPH in order to conserve gasoline during an OPEC embargo.
February 17 » Robert K. Preston, a disgruntled U.S. Army private, buzzes the White House in a stolen helicopter.
May 9 » Watergate scandal: The United States House Committee on the Judiciary opens formal and public impeachment hearings against President Richard Nixon.
May 17 » The Troubles: Thirty-three civilians are killed and 300 injured when the Ulster Volunteer Force (UVF) detonates four car bombs in Dublin and Monaghan, Republic of Ireland.
August 1 » Cyprus dispute: The United Nations Security Council authorizes the UNFICYP to create the "Green Line", dividing Cyprus into two zones.
December 22 » Grande Comore, Anjouan and Mohéli vote to become the independent nation of Comoros. Mayotte remains under French administration.
When copying data from this family tree, please include a reference to the origin: Sim Mostert, "Genealogy Pot en Smit", database, Genealogy Online (https://www.genealogieonline.nl/genealogie_pot_smit/I6355.php : accessed September 25, 2026), "WILLEM van SMAALEN (1895-1974)".
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