Japan attacks Russian fleet at Port Arthur
February 8, 1904
Without a declaration of war, Japanese torpedo boats slipped into Port Arthur and struck the Russian Pacific squadron at anchor. It was the first move in a conflict nobody in Europe expected a small Asian nation to win. The shock at the imperial capitals was still ringing when Tsushima came.
In context
Also in 1904 (4 other events on record)
- Entente Cordiale binds Britain and France · Europe · Politics
- Herero genocide in German South-West Africa · Africa · War
- Russian Jews flee pogroms for America · North America · Politics
- St. Louis World's Fair opens · North America · Culture
Before and after in East Asia
Before and after in War
Era
Modern Era (1901–2000), one of 590 events from that era on Saeculum.