What happened in 1902

13 entries recorded for 1902, listed by date. That was 124 years ago.

1902 at a glance

Years ago
124 (as of 2026)
Century
20th century
Decade
1900s
Generation born
Greatest Generation
Entries here
13
Breakdown
13 historical events

January

  • January 23

    Imperial Japanese Army

    Historical event

    In the most fatal recorded mountaineering accident, 199 of the 210 members of an Imperial Japanese Army unit perished in a blizzard on the Hakkōda Mountains.

March

  • March 7

    Second Boer War

    Historical event

    Second Boer War: Boers, led by Koos de la Rey, defeat the British at the Battle of Tweebosch.

  • March 17

    Dorchester Heights Monument

    Historical event

    The Dorchester Heights Monument , memorializing the siege of Boston during the American Revolutionary War, was dedicated.

  • March 28

    Hexham Abbey high-altar cross

    Historical event

    The Hexham Abbey high-altar cross, amongst the most important works produced that year by the Keswick School of Industrial Art, was unveiled on Good Friday.

April

  • April 5

    1902 Ibrox disaster

    Historical event

    A spectator stand collapsed during a football match at Ibrox Park in Govan, Scotland, killing 25 supporters and injuring more than 500 others.

May

  • May 17

    Antikythera mechanism

    Historical event

    The Antikythera mechanism, the oldest known surviving geared mechanism, was discovered among artifacts retrieved from a shipwreck off the Greek island of Antikythera.

  • May 31

    Second Boer War

    Historical event

    The Second Boer War came to an end with the signing of the Treaty of Vereeniging in Pretoria, South Africa.

July

  • July 14

    St Mark's Campanile

    Historical event

    The medieval St Mark's Campanile in Venice collapsed, also demolishing the Loggetta del Sansovino.

  • July 14

    Agustín Lizárraga

    Historical event

    An expedition led by Peruvian explorer and farmer Agustín Lizárraga discovered the Incan city of Machu Picchu (pictured).

August

  • August 9

    Coronation of Edward VII and Alexandra

    Historical event

    In a ceremony at Westminster Abbey, Edward VII and Alexandra were crowned King and Queen of the United Kingdom and the British Dominions, and Emperor and Empress of India.

September

  • September 1

    Science fiction film

    Historical event

    The first science fiction film, titled A Trip to the Moon and based on From the Earth to the Moon by Jules Verne, was released in France.

October

  • October 26

    Eduard von Toll

    Historical event

    A group of Russian explorers led by Baron von Toll left their camp on Bennett Island and disappeared without a trace.

December

Questions about 1902

What happened in 1902?

This site records 13 entries for 1902, including Imperial Japanese Army on January 23. They are listed below by date.

How long ago was 1902?

124 years ago, counting from 2026. Anyone born in 1902 turns 124 this year.

Which century is 1902 in?

1902 falls in the 20th century, in the 1900s.

Which generation was born in 1902?

Greatest Generation (1901–1927). Grew up in the Depression and fought in the Second World War.

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