World's first tabloid newspaper, The World, edited by Alfred Harmsworth, owner of the Daily Mail, appears. Its masthead proclaims it as 'The Busy Man's Paper. All the News in Sixty Seconds'.
Commonwealth of Australia inaugurated at Sydney with Edward Barton, federalist and protectionist, as Prime Minister. More on the British empire.

Queen Victoria dies at 6.30 pm aged 81, surrounded by her children and grandchildren, including the German Kaiser.

Edward VII's proclamation as king is approved by the Privy Council after some initial confusion as to whether he will adopt the regnal title of Albert I as, it is rumoured, his mother wished.

In South Africa, General French begins sweep of the Transvaal, moving to prevent a Boer attack on Natal. Meanwhile Boer general De Wet advances to invade Cape Colony. More on the war in South Africa.