| In 1900 the Smithsonian Institution consisted of the Smithsonian Institution proper; the United States National Museum (USNM) which included anthropology, art, geology, history, and natural history in a single museum; the Astrophysical Observatory; the National Zoological Park (NZP); the Bureau of American Ethnology; and the International Exchange Service. The trust and federal budget for Fiscal Year 1900 (July 1, 1899 - June 30, 1900) was $558, 567.13 and was broken down as follows: |
| Trust Funds Smithsonian Institution | $135, 513.23 |
| Federal Funds: | |
| International Exchange Service | $25,835.44 |
| Bureau of American Ethnology | $53,070.36 |
| Preservation of Collection - USNM | $174,759.22 |
| Furniture and Fixtures - USNM | $25,996.51 |
| Heating and Lighting - USNM | $15,785.51 |
| Printing - USNM | $17,000.00 |
| Rent of Workshops - USNM | $4,150.16 |
| Postage - USNM | $500.00 |
| Books - USNM | $2,000.00 |
| Building Repairs - USNM | $6,085.61 |
| Exhibits - USNM | $4,310.53 |
| Rebuilding sheds - USNM | $0.78 |
| Astrophysical Observatory | $10,752.53 |
| Observation of Eclipse of May 28, 1900 | $4,000.00 |
| National Zoological Park | $78,807.25 |
| Secretary | $500.00 per month | $6,000.00 per year |
| Head Curator - USNM | $291.66 per month | $3,499.92 per year |
| Assistant Curator - USNM | $150.00 per month | $1,800.00 per year |
| Taxidermist - USNM | $100.00 per month | $1,200.00 per year |
| Watchman - USNM | $45 - 60 per month | $540.00-$720.00 per year |
| Director of Bureau of American Ethnology | $375.00 per month | $4,500.00 per year |
| Laborer | $1.50 per day | |
| Superintendent - NZP | $225.00 per month | $2,700.00 per year |
| Head Keeper - NZP | $100 per month | $1,200.00 per year |
The Boxer Rebellion breaks out in China in 1900. Chinese nationalists attack foreign diplomats and missionaries hoping to expel foreign influences from China. The United States, Japan and European Nations send military forces to put down the uprising. Sigmund Freud publishes The Interpretation of Dreams in 1900. In 1900 President William McKinley signs the Gold Standard Act, which requires all paper money to be backed by gold, and is an important move in the international monetary system. Russia annexes Manchuria in 1900. In 1900 the British Parliament passes an act creating the Commonwealth of Australia effective January 1, 1901. Eastman Kodak introduces the $1 Box Brownie camera in 1900, making photography accessible to everyone. Max Planck, a German physicist, formulates a theory on energy conjecturing the existence of "quanta," and lays the groundwork for the quantum theory in 1900. The first photocopying machine is invented in France in 1900. President William McKinley is assassinated in 1901 while at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. He is succeeded by vice-president Theodore Roosevelt. Queen Victoria of England and Empress of India dies in 1901 after a reign lasting sixty-four years. Edward VII is crowned her successor. In 1901 the first electric typewriter, the Blickensderfer, is introduced. Booker T. Washington publishes his autobiography Up from Slavery in 1901.
~ Beginning ~ Smithsonian Institution Building and the Mall ~ United States National Museum ~
~ National Zoological Park ~ Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory ~
~ Langley and the Aerodrome ~ Pan-American Exposition ~ Facts & Figures ~
Smithsonian Institution Archives ~ Institutional History Division
Exhibits on Smithsonian History
