In general knowledge and world history, in which year were the Nobel Prizes first established and awarded to recognize outstanding contributions to humanity?

Introduction / Context:
The Nobel Prizes are among the most prestigious international awards, given for outstanding achievements in fields such as physics, chemistry, medicine, literature, peace, and later economics. They were created according to the will of Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite, who wanted his fortune to reward those who benefit humanity. Knowing the year in which the Nobel Prizes were first awarded is a common general knowledge question that links history, science, and international recognition of excellence.

Given Data / Assumptions:
The question asks in which year the Nobel Prizes were established and first awarded.
Options include the years 1931, 1911, 1901, and 1951.
We assume the standard historical timeline taught in general knowledge and history sections.
The focus is on the year of the first Nobel Prize awards, not the year of Alfred Nobel will itself.

Concept / Approach:
Alfred Nobel signed his will in 1895, setting aside his fortune to create a fund for prizes awarded to those who conferred the greatest benefit on humankind. The Nobel Foundation was later established to administer the awards. The first Nobel Prizes were awarded in 1901, and this year is commonly given as the date when the Nobel Prizes were established in practice. Therefore, among the options listed, 1901 is the correct year. The other years correspond to later historical events and do not match the first Nobel Prizes.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Alfred Nobel death occurred in the late nineteenth century, and his will led to the creation of the Nobel Prizes. Step 2: Remember that the first Nobel Prizes were awarded at the beginning of the twentieth century. Step 3: Identify 1901 as the year when the first Nobel awards were actually given. Step 4: Compare this with the options and select 1901.

Verification / Alternative check:
Historical references about Nobel laureates list the first awards dated 1901, including well known names such as Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen for physics. Many general knowledge books and competitive exam guides also state that the Nobel Prizes were instituted and first awarded in 1901. This consistency across sources confirms that 1901 is the correct answer for examination purposes.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
The year 1931 is too late and falls many decades after the first Nobel awards.
The year 1911 is a decade after the first awards and corresponds to later laureates, not the founding of the prize.
The year 1951 is even later and is unrelated to the original establishment of the Nobel Prizes.

Common Pitfalls:
Students may confuse the year Alfred Nobel wrote his will with the year the prizes were first awarded or may guess a rounded date like 1910 or 1950. It helps to associate 1901 with the beginning of Nobel history at the start of the twentieth century. Learning one or two early Nobel laureate names along with this date can further strengthen memory of the correct year.

Final Answer:
The Nobel Prizes were first established and awarded in the year 1901.