Seven timeless photos that blur the years — can you guess the era?

A Year That Warps Our Sense of Time

History often feels like a linear progression, but the way we perceive it can distort our sense of time. Some events are closer in time than they seem. For example, Cleopatra’s life was closer to the invention of the iPhone than to the construction of the pyramids. John Tyler, the 10th president of the United States, had a grandson who died in 2020. Oxford University accepted students centuries before the Aztec Empire fell. And there's one year that might make you rethink how you view history.

This particular year saw the sinking of the Titanic, the opening of Fenway Park, and New Mexico becoming the 47th state of the United States. Can you guess which year? Let’s explore seven major historical events from this year to find out.

The Tragedy of the Titanic

The Titanic, an iconic ocean liner, sank on its first voyage from Southampton, England, to New York City on April 15. Over 1,500 passengers lost their lives in this shocking disaster. The tragedy has inspired countless films, conspiracy theories, and lasting fascination.

Two radio operators warned the captain about icebergs, but a warning about an ice field was never relayed. Captain Edward J Smith tried to steer away from the iceberg but didn’t maneuver in time. The ship scraped the iceberg, causing damage that led to flooding. Distress signals were sent, but nearby ships were too far away. Passengers began boarding lifeboats, and a rescue ship arrived hours later, but only 174 people survived.

Grand Opening of Fenway Park

Fenway Park opened in this year on April 9. Surprisingly, the Boston Red Sox's first game wasn't against another MLB team. They played against Harvard College in an exhibition match. Nearly two weeks later, they faced the New York Highlanders, starting an East Coast rivalry that would evolve over time. The Highlanders eventually became the New York Yankees, and the name gives a hint about the year the park opened.

Famous Oreo Cookies Hit Shelves

Oreos made their debut on March 6 by Nabisco. They were first sold at a grocery store in New Jersey. By 1985, Oreos became the world's best-selling cookie, as noted in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Jim Thorpe Wins Two Gold Medals in Stockholm

Jim Thorpe made history at the Stockholm Olympics by winning gold medals in both the pentathlon and decathlon. He became the first Native American to win a gold medal for the US and later played six seasons of professional baseball. Thorpe also left his mark on football and was inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame and the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He is still considered one of the greatest athletes of all time, and a town in Pennsylvania was named after him.

Woodrow Wilson Elected as the 28th US President

New Jersey Governor Woodrow Wilson was elected as the 28th US president on November 5. He was the Democratic nominee, facing off against former Republican president Theodore Roosevelt and Republican incumbent William Howard Taft. Despite not having held the presidency before, Wilson won 435 electoral votes, easily defeating Roosevelt and Taft. He supported progressive measures like labor reform and secured the presidency due to divisions within the Republican Party.

Juliette Gordon Low Launches the Girl Scouts

Juliette Gordon Low hosted the first Girl Scouts meeting on March 12 with 18 girls in Savannah, Georgia. She had been inspired by the founder of the Boy Scouts a year earlier. Low married a wealthy British businessman, giving her the means to start the organization. Today, the Girl Scouts include 10 million girls and adults across 146 countries.

New Mexico Becomes the 47th State

Following the Mexican-American War, the territory of New Mexico was annexed by the United States. A long battle over the state's constitution, boundaries, and slavery delayed its official statehood. Congress passed the New Mexico statehood bill, and President William Taft signed it into law. That same year, Arizona became the 48th state.

Can you guess the year? The answer is 1912.