The temperature on January 23, 1904 was between -4.4 °C and -2.5 °C and averaged -3.2 °C. The average windspeed was 1 Bft (weak wind) and was prevailing from the south-southeast. Source: KNMI
January 7 » The distress signal "CQD" is established only to be replaced two years later by "SOS".
February 22 » The United Kingdom sells a meteorological station on the South Orkney Islands to Argentina; the islands are subsequently claimed by the United Kingdom in 1908.
May 9 » The steam locomotive City of Truro becomes the first steam engine in Europe to exceed 100mph (160km/h).
June 28 » The SSNorge runs aground on Hasselwood Rock in the North Atlantic 430 kilometres (270mi) northwest of Ireland. More than 635 people die during the sinking.
August 10 » Russo-Japanese War: The Battle of the Yellow Sea between the Russian and Japanese battleship fleets takes place.
October 27 » The first underground New York City Subway line opens, later designated as the IRT Broadway–Seventh Avenue Line.
Christening day March 6, 1904
The temperature on March 6, 1904 was between 0.2 °C and 2.5 °C and averaged 1.3 °C. The average windspeed was 4 Bft (moderate breeze) and was prevailing from the east. Source: KNMI
January 8 » The Blackstone Library is dedicated, marking the beginning of the Chicago Public Library system.
January 23 » Ålesund Fire: the Norwegian coastal town Ålesund is devastated by fire, leaving 10,000 people homeless and one person dead. Kaiser Wilhelm II funds the rebuilding of the town in Jugendstil style.
February 22 » The United Kingdom sells a meteorological station on the South Orkney Islands to Argentina; the islands are subsequently claimed by the United Kingdom in 1908.
April 8 » The French Third Republic and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland sign the Entente cordiale.
April 30 » The Louisiana Purchase Exposition World's Fair opens in St. Louis, Missouri.
May 4 » The United States begins construction of the Panama Canal.
Day of death September 24, 1978
The temperature on September 24, 1978 was between 13.5 °C and 18.8 °C and averaged 16.1 °C. There was 1.4 hours of sunshine (12%). The heavily clouded was. The average windspeed was 3 Bft (moderate breeze) and was prevailing from the southwest. Source: KNMI
In The Netherlands , there was from Monday, December 19, 1977 to Friday, September 11, 1981 the cabinet Van Agt I, with Mr. A.A.M. van Agt (CDA/KVP) as prime minister.
March 22 » Karl Wallenda of The Flying Wallendas dies after falling off a tight-rope suspended between two hotels in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
April 14 » Tbilisi Demonstrations: Thousands of Georgians demonstrate against Soviet attempts to change the constitutional status of the Georgian language.
April 17 » Mir Akbar Khyber is assassinated, provoking a communist coup d'état in Afghanistan.
May 1 » Japan's Naomi Uemura, travelling by dog sled, becomes the first person to reach the North Pole alone.
August 13 » One hundred fifty Palestinians in Beirut are killed in a terrorist attack during the second phase of the Lebanese Civil War.
November 17 » The Star Wars Holiday Special airs on CBS, receiving negative reception from critics, fans, and even Star Wars creator George Lucas.
When copying data from this family tree, please include a reference to the origin: Gert Esterhuizen, "Family tree Eric Esterhuizen", database, Genealogy Online (https://www.genealogieonline.nl/stamboom-eric-esterhuizen/I16341.php : accessed January 11, 2026), "Frederik Jacobus PRETORIUS (1904-1978)".
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