History of White in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: April 23, 2026

White is the lightest achromatic color, the opposite of black. It reflects and scatters all visible wavelengths of light. Examples include snow, chalk, and milk. On screens, white is created by mixing red, blue, and green light. Titanium dioxide is a common white pigment.

1903: Death of James McNeill Whistler

In 1903, the American painter James McNeill Whistler, known for his paintings with musical titles using color to create moods, died. His painting 'Symphony in White No. 1 – The White Girl' portrayed innocence and fragility.

1916: Production of Titanium White Begins

Between 1916 and 1918, chemical companies in Norway and the United States began to produce titanium white, made from titanium oxide, which had twice the covering power of lead white.

1916: Flags Inspired by the Arab Revolt

In 1916, many flags in the Arab world adopted the colors of the flag of the Arab Revolt, including red, white, green, and black. These flags include those of Egypt, Palestine, Jordan, Syria, Kuwait, and Iraq.

1917: Russian Civil War

During the Russian Revolution in 1917, the White Army, a coalition of monarchists, nationalists, and liberals, fought against the Red Army of the Bolsheviks. A similar conflict took place in Finland.

1917: White Movement Forms

In 1917, during the Russian Revolution, the White movement formed as an opposition against the Bolsheviks during the Russian Civil War.

1917: Malevich's 'White Square'

In 1917, the Russian suprematist painter Kazimir Malevich created his painting 'the white square,' as a companion to his earlier 'black square'.

1918: Production of Titanium White Continues

Between 1916 and 1918, chemical companies in Norway and the United States continued producing titanium white, a pigment made from titanium oxide that had twice the covering power of lead white.

1921: White Movement Defeated

In 1921, the White movement was defeated by the Bolsheviks, leading many of its members to emigrate to Europe.

1921: Titanium White Commercially Available

In 1921, titanium white first became commercially available. It is the brightest available white pigment, with twice the coverage of lead white, and is used in toothpaste and sunscreen.

1922: End of Russian Civil War

In 1922, the Russian Civil War ended, marking the defeat of the monarchist movement, which used a white flag, by the Bolsheviks.

1945: Titanium White Dominates the Market

By 1945, titanium white accounted for 80 percent of all white pigments sold, having twice the covering power of lead white.

1949: Geneva Convention Recognizes White Flag

In 1949, the white flag was officially recognized as a request to cease hostilities by the Geneva Convention.

1963: White Revolution in Iran

In 1963, the White Revolution, a series of social and political reforms, was launched in Iran by the last Shah.

1965: Death of Le Corbusier

In 1965, modernist architect Le Corbusier, who advocated for a "calm and powerful architecture" using reinforced concrete and steel, passed away. His work influenced contemporary architects like Richard Meier.

1972: FBI Dress Code Change

Until 1972, FBI agents were required by J. Edgar Hoover to wear white shirts with their suits to project the correct image of the FBI.

2020: US Census Data on White Population

In 2020, the United States Census Bureau reported that white people, defined as those with origins in Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa, constituted 61.6% of the U.S. population, totaling 204,277,273 individuals.