The year 1891 was notable for several significant events around the world. In the United States, the first basketball game was played in December, marking the beginning of a popular sport. Additionally, the Maine became the first state to establish a state park, known as Acadia National Park, which later became a national park in 1916. Internationally, 1891 saw the founding of the Vatican City as a sovereign entity, following the Lateran Treaty. This year also marked the birth of influential figures, including the famous composer and conductor Gustav Mahler, who would later become a key figure in the world of classical music.