May 1900 - May 20, 1900 (Sunday)

May 20, 1900 (Sunday)

  • Voters in Switzerland overwhelmingly rejected a law providing for sickness and accident insurance. The Kranken und Unfallversicherungsgesetz (KUVG), sponsored by Ludwig Forrer and passed the Federal Assembly, but was challenged by a referendum, where more than 70% of the voters were against it. Health reform would finally pass in 1911.
  • The Free Homes Bill was signed into law by President McKinley, and the debts of all homesteaders in Oklahoma were forgiven by the United States government. Up until then, settlers had been compelled to pay, in addition to other requirements, an annual federal fee ranging from $1.00 to $2.50 per acre.
  • Born: Sumitranandan Pant, Hindi poet, in Kausani, India; (d. 1977)

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