>From the book: CHRONICLE OF THE 20th CENTURY.(page10) . the lead article for 1900 begins with the headline: 20th Century Begins Optimistically Jan. 1. New York entered the 20th Century with a sense of euphoria and self-satisfaction. Wall Street was said to be undergoing a "prosperity panic: And banker James T. Woodward declared that America was "the envy of the world." London reported that 1899 was a year of progress everywhere. Even the Boer War had a silver lining: the longer it lasted the more trade it would promote for America. In Europe, only Emperor William of Germany sounded a belligerent note. He vowed his navy would become as strong as his army. Socially, the beginning of the century was fairly dull in New York, but in Washington, 2,000 stood in line to shake hands with President and Mrs. McKinley at a reception at the White House. Holiday dinners were served in prisons and other institutions to those who had no other reason to celebrate. In India, hundreds of thousands are dying of famine. Amid California's bountiful farmlands, 50,000 turned out for Pasadena's 11th annual Tournament of Roses. Every train and electric car was jammed. Those seeking stimulation for the occasion could buy a bottle of Plantation Whiskey for 75 cents. Havana staged a torchlight procession, in which almost the only tune heard was the "Cuban National Hymn." Cuba, formerly ruled by Spain, was agitating for freedom. marge http://freepages.history.rootsweb.com/~kosco