# Discovery of polonium (1898)

URL: https://poland-history.com/timeline/1898-discovery-of-polonium
Location: Paris

Marie Skłodowska-Curie and Pierre Curie discovered polonium, named after Poland. Within the broader Partitioned Poland period: Without a state, Poles preserved their nation through uprisings, emigration, Romantic literature, 'organic work' and modern political movements, while facing Russification and Germanisation. At this point in the timeline (1898), the governing authority was Nicholas II (King of Poland (Tsar of Russia)). Last tsar; Russian control of the Kingdom of Poland ended when Warsaw fell to German forces in August 1915. Discovery of polonium mattered because it placed Polish scholars and scientists at the forefront of human knowledge. The event is placed here so readers can follow it alongside changes in government, warfare, society, religion and culture across Polish history.

## Why it matters
Discovery of polonium mattered because it placed Polish scholars and scientists at the forefront of human knowledge.

Ruler at the time: [Nicholas II](https://poland-history.com/rulers/nicholas-ii)

## Sources
- [Wikipedia — Polonium](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polonium)
- [Encyclopaedia Britannica topic lookup — Discovery of polonium](https://www.britannica.com/search?query=Discovery+of+polonium)
- [Wikipedia — History of Poland (1795–1918) (period overview)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Poland_(1795%E2%80%931918))