May 21, 1900 (Monday)
- Plans for a Nicaraguan Canal ended when the United States Senate killed came to an end after they declined to bring it up for debate and a vote. While the Hepburn Bill had passed the House, 225–35, Alabama's Senator John Tyler Morgan was unable to persuade the Senate to vote on the matter. A motion to bring an early vote as "unfinished business" failed by a vote of 28–21. A commission then recommended construction of a Panama Canal.
- Following an emergency meeting in Beijing, representatives of the foreign powers (the U.S., Britain, Germany, France and Japan) provided a five-day ultimatum to the Empress of China. If the Boxers were not arrested and punished by that time, armies would be sent to invade.
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