Category Archives: 1880s

Most powerful volcanic eruption in recorded history occurs on Krakatoa, Indonesia 140 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 27 1883)


Video: '27th August 1883: The eruption of Krakatoa'

(Monday, August 27, 1883, 10:02 a.m. BMT; during the 1883 eruption of Krakatoa) — The most powerful volcanic eruption in recorded history occurred this morning when Krakatoa — a small, uninhabited island west of Sumatra in Indonesia — erupted with a series of cataclysmic explosions. Continue reading Most powerful volcanic eruption in recorded history occurs on Krakatoa, Indonesia 140 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 27 1883)

Brooklyn Bridge linking Brooklyn and Manhattan in New York City dedicated 140 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 24 1883)


Video: 'Modern Marvels: Building the Brooklyn Bridge (S2, E20) | Full Episode' (May 24, 1883, at 48:40)

(Thursday, May 24, 1883, ceremonies were scheduled for 2:00-5:30 p.m., local time) — The Brooklyn Bridge, a hybrid cable-stayed/suspension bridge linking New York City and Brooklyn by spanning the East River, was dedicated today by U.S. President Chester Alan Arthur, New York Governor Grover Cleveland, and Emily Roebling, the wife of the bridge’s main engineer, Washington Roebling. Continue reading Brooklyn Bridge linking Brooklyn and Manhattan in New York City dedicated 140 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (May 24 1883)

President Chester A. Arthur signs act barring Chinese immigrants from U.S. for a decade 140 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 6 1882)


Video: 'The Chinese Exclusion Act'

(Saturday, May 6, 1882) — President Chester Alan Arthur today signed the Chinese Exclusion Act, which called for barring Chinese immigrants from the U.S. for ten years. Continue reading President Chester A. Arthur signs act barring Chinese immigrants from U.S. for a decade 140 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 6 1882)

Outlaw Jesse James, 34, shot dead in St. Joseph, Missouri 140 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 3 1882)


Video: 'The Tragic Life Of Notorious Outlaw Jesse James'

(Monday, April 3, 1882) — Outlaw Jesse James, 34, was shot to death today in St. Joseph, Missouri, by Robert Ford, a new recruit to James’s gang who hoped to collect a reward on James’s head and a promised amnesty for his previous crimes. Continue reading Outlaw Jesse James, 34, shot dead in St. Joseph, Missouri 140 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Apr 3 1882)

U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt born in Hyde Park, New York 140 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 30 1882)


Video: '"FDR" Documentary (ABC, 1982)'

(Monday, January 30, 1882)Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd president of the United States from 1933 until his death in 1945, was born Franklin Delano Roosevelt today at Springwood, the family’s estate in the Hudson Valley town of Hyde Park, New York. Continue reading U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt born in Hyde Park, New York 140 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 30 1882)

Three killed in ‘Gunfight at the O.K. Corral’ in Tombstone, Arizona 140 years ago this hour (Oct 26 1881)


Video: 'The Messed Up Truth About The Gunfight At The O.K. Corral'

(Wednesday, October 26, 1881, about 3:00 p.m. local time) — The “Gunfight at the O.K. Corral” took place this afternoon in Tombstone, Arizona, as Wyatt Earp, his two brothers and “Doc” Holliday confronted Ike Clanton’s gang. Continue reading Three killed in ‘Gunfight at the O.K. Corral’ in Tombstone, Arizona 140 years ago this hour (Oct 26 1881)

Funeral services held for President James A. Garfield in U.S. Capitol rotunda 140 years ago this hour (Sep 23 1881)

(Friday, September 23, 1881, 3:00 p.m. local time; during the Assassination of James A. Garfield) — Services were held today at the U.S. Capitol in Washington for President James A. Garfield who died four days ago in Elberon, New Jersey, from complications of gunshot wounds received July 2, 1881. Continue reading Funeral services held for President James A. Garfield in U.S. Capitol rotunda 140 years ago this hour (Sep 23 1881)

Chester A. Arthur sworn-in as 21st U.S. President following assassination of James A. Garfield 140 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 20 1881)


Video: ‘New York, New York – Chester A. Arthur Inauguration and Death Location (2020)’

(Tuesday, September 20, 1881, 2:15 a.m. local time; during the Assassination of James A. Garfield and the inauguration of Chester A. Arthur) — U.S. Vice President Chester A. Arthur, 51, took the oath of office (as administered by Judge John R. Brady of the New York Supreme Court) early this morning as the 21st President of the United States at Arthur’s private apartment at 123 Lexington Avenue in New York City. Continue reading Chester A. Arthur sworn-in as 21st U.S. President following assassination of James A. Garfield 140 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 20 1881)

U.S. President James A. Garfield succumbs to wounds inflicted by an assassin 140 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 19 1881)


Video: 'The tragic death of President James Garfield'

(Monday, September 19, 1901, 10:35 p.m. local time; during the Assassination of James A. Garfield)James A. Garfield, 20th President of the United States, died tonight in Elberon, New Jersey, of a ruptured splenic artery aneurysm, following sepsis and bronchial pneumonia, all complications from gunshot wounds inflicted by an assassin on July 2, 1881. Continue reading U.S. President James A. Garfield succumbs to wounds inflicted by an assassin 140 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 19 1881)

U.S. President James A. Garfield fatally shot by disappointed and delusional office seeker 140 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 2 1881)


Video: 'The Assassination of James Garfield'

(Saturday, July 2, 1881, 9:30 a.m. local time; during the Assassination of James A. Garfield) — U.S. President James A. Garfield, on his way to his alma mater Williams College, where he was scheduled to deliver a speech before beginning his summer vacation, was shot today at the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Station on the southwest corner of Sixth Street and Constitution Avenue NW in Washington, D.C. Continue reading U.S. President James A. Garfield fatally shot by disappointed and delusional office seeker 140 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 2 1881)