1851day.year
The first Australian gold rush is proclaimed, although the discovery had been made three months earlier.
Australia's first gold rush was officially proclaimed in 1851, sparking a mass migration to the goldfields.
Three months after Edward Hargraves discovered gold near Bathurst, New South Wales, authorities proclaimed a gold rush on May 15, 1851. This declaration triggered a rush of prospectors from across Australia and overseas. Towns like Ophir and Summerhill rapidly grew as mining camps evolved into permanent settlements. The gold rush fueled economic growth, bolstered colonial revenue, and accelerated infrastructure development. It also led to social tensions and conflict with Indigenous communities over land rights. The 1851 rush marked the beginning of Australia's transformation into a prosperous gold mining nation.
1851
Australian gold rush
1911day.year
In Standard Oil Co. of New Jersey v. United States, the United States Supreme Court declares Standard Oil to be an "unreasonable" monopoly under the Sherman Antitrust Act and orders the company to be broken up.
In 1911, the US Supreme Court ordered the breakup of Standard Oil, deeming it an illegal monopoly under the Sherman Antitrust Act.
On May 15, 1911, the United States Supreme Court delivered a landmark verdict in Standard Oil Co. of New Jersey v. United States.
The Court ruled that Standard Oil had engaged in "unreasonable" monopolistic practices in violation of the Sherman Antitrust Act of 1890.
As a result, the company was ordered to be divided into 34 independent entities to restore competition.
This decision set a powerful precedent for federal regulation of trusts and shaped modern antitrust jurisprudence.
The breakup reshaped the American oil industry and affirmed the government's authority to curb corporate concentration.
1911
Standard Oil Co. of New Jersey v. United States
United States Supreme Court
Standard Oil
monopoly
Sherman Antitrust Act
1940day.year
Richard and Maurice McDonald open the first McDonald's restaurant.
Richard and Maurice McDonald opened the first McDonald's restaurant in 1940, launching what would become a global fast-food empire.
In May 1940, brothers Richard and Maurice McDonald introduced a revolutionary streamlined food service at their first McDonald's in San Bernardino, California. They implemented an efficient Speedee Service System focusing on burgers, fries, and shakes, which reduced wait times dramatically. This approach laid the foundation for modern fast-food operations. The restaurant’s success attracted the attention of entrepreneur Ray Kroc, who later expanded the chain worldwide. Today, McDonald's is a symbol of globalization and American pop culture, serving billions of customers annually. The humble beginnings in the California desert demonstrate the power of innovation and branding.
Richard and Maurice McDonald
McDonald's