February 7 » Dreyfus affair: Émile Zola is brought to trial for libel for publishing J'Accuse…!.
June 11 » The Hundred Days' Reform, a planned movement to reform social, political, and educational institutions in China, is started by the Guangxu Emperor, but is suspended by Empress Dowager Cixi after 104 days. (The failed reform led to the abolition of the Imperial examination in 1905.)
August 12 » The Hawaiian flag is lowered from ʻIolani Palace in an elaborate annexation ceremony and replaced with the flag of the United States to signify the transfer of sovereignty from the Republic of Hawaii to the United States.
August 13 » Carl Gustav Witt discovers 433 Eros, the first near-Earth asteroid to be found.
August 23 » The Southern Cross Expedition, the first British venture of the Heroic Age of Antarctic Exploration, departs from London.
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.
Christening day February 26, 1899
The temperature on February 26, 1899 was about -1.6 °C. The airpressure was 77 cm mercury. The atmospheric humidity was 94%. Source: KNMI
January 17 » The United States takes possession of Wake Island in the Pacific Ocean.
February 14 » Voting machines are approved by the U.S. Congress for use in federal elections.
July 17 » NEC Corporation is organized as the first Japanese joint venture with foreign capital.
November 2 » The Boers begin their 118-day siege of British-held Ladysmith during the Second Boer War.
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.
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/I9766.php : accessed February 21, 2026), "Herbert Lionel PRETORIUS (1898-????)".
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