Origins & Early Life

Kalākaua (David Laʻamea Kamanakapuʻu Māhinulani Nālaʻiaʻehuokalani Lumialani Kalākaua; November 16, 1836 – January 20, 1891), was the last king and penultimate monarch of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi, reigning from February 12, 1874, until his death in 1891. Succeeding Lunalilo, he was elected to the vacant throne of Hawaiʻi against Queen Emma. Kalākaua was known as the Merrie Monarch for his convivial personality—he enjoyed entertaining guests with his singing and ukulele playing. At his coronation and his birthday jubilee, the hula, which had hitherto been banned in public in the kingdom, became a celebration of Hawaiian culture.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

During Kalākaua's reign, the Reciprocity Treaty of 1875 brought great prosperity to the kingdom. Its renewal continued the prosperity but allowed the United States exclusive use of Pearl Harbor. In 1881, Kalākaua took a trip around the world to encourage the immigration of contract sugar plantation workers. He wanted Hawaiians to broaden their education beyond their nation. He instituted a government-financed program to sponsor qualified students to be sent abroad to further their education.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Two of his projects, the statue of Kamehameha I and the rebuilding of...

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• Claude-Louis Navier — Contemporary (Died in 1836) (1836): Pioneering French engineer and physicist, renowned for continuum mechanics.
• Antonio Gramsci — Contemporary (Born in 1891) (1891): Italian Marxist philosopher known for his theory of cultural hegemony.
• Arthur Rimbaud — Contemporary (Died in 1891) (1891): Transgressive French poet whose work profoundly influenced modern literature and surrealism.
• B. R. Ambedkar — Contemporary (Born in 1891) (1891): Pioneering jurist, economist, and social reformer who shaped modern India.
• Alan Watts — Shared historical date (11-16 · Died) (1973): Philosopher and lecturer popularizing Eastern thought for the West.
• Carl von Clausewitz — Shared historical date (11-16 · Died) (1831): Prussian military theorist whose work, On War, shaped modern strategic thought.
• Adam Oehlenschläger — Shared historical date (01-20 · Died) (1850): Pioneering Danish Romantic poet and playwright who shaped national literature.
• Al-Shafi'i — Shared historical date (01-20 · Died) (820): Founder of the Shāfiʿī school of Sunni Islamic jurisprudence and jurist.
• 1836 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1836
• November 16 (11-16) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on November 16
• 1891 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1891
• January 20 (01-20) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on January 20