January 1 » New York, New York annexes land from surrounding counties, creating the City of Greater New York. The four initial boroughs, Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and The Bronx, are joined on January 25 by Staten Island to create the modern city of five boroughs.
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.
December 3 » The Duquesne Country and Athletic Club defeated an all-star collection of early football players 16–0, in what is considered to be the very first all-star game for professional American football.
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 November 17, 1899
The temperature on November 17, 1899 was about 7.1 °C. The airpressure was 78 cm mercury. The atmospheric humidity was 83%. Source: KNMI
February 2 » The Australian Premiers' Conference held in Melbourne decides to locate Australia's capital city, Canberra, between Sydney and Melbourne.
February 4 » The Philippine–American War begins with the Battle of Manila.
February 14 » Voting machines are approved by the U.S. Congress for use in federal elections.
February 16 » Iceland's first football club, Knattspyrnufélag Reykjavíkur, is founded.
September 13 » Mackinder, Ollier and Brocherel make the first ascent of Batian (5,199 m - 17,058ft), the highest peak of Mount Kenya.
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: Hans Weening, "Family tree Weening", database, Genealogy Online (https://www.genealogieonline.nl/stamboom-weening/I135218.php : accessed December 30, 2025), "Siebe Helmsma (1898-1899)".
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