Category Archives: 1870s

Former first lady Eliza McCardle Johnson dies 150 years ago today (Jan 15 1876)


Video: 'First Ladies Preview: Eliza Johnson'

(Saturday, January 15, 1876, 11:00 p.m. local time) — Former first lady Eliza McCardle Johnson, who served with her husband, U.S. President Andrew Johnson, from 1865 to 1869, died today in Greeneville, Tennessee, from complications due to tuberculosis at age 65, having survived her husband by only five and a half months.

U.S. Vice President Henry Wilson, 63, dies in Washington, D.C. 150 years ago this hour (Nov 22 1875)

(Monday, November 22, 1875, 7:20 a.m. local time)Henry Wilson, the 18th vice president of the United States, serving since March 4, 1873, under President Ulysses S. Grant, suffered a fatal stroke today while working in the United States Capitol Building. Continue reading U.S. Vice President Henry Wilson, 63, dies in Washington, D.C. 150 years ago this hour (Nov 22 1875)

Captain Matthew Webb becomes first person to swim across English Channel 150 years ago this hour (Aug 25 1875)


Video: '25th August 1875: Captain Matthew Webb becomes the first person to swim the English Channel'

(Wednesday, August 25, 1875, 10:41 a.m. Central European Time) — Captain Matthew Webb became the first person to swim across the English Channel today, traveling from Dover, England, to Calais, France, in 22 hours.

Former President Andrew Johnson buried in Greeneville 150 years ago today (Aug 3 1875)

(Tuesday, August 3, 1875) — Former U.S. President Andrew Johnson (1865-1869) was buried today in what later became the Andrew Johnson National Cemetery in Greeneville, Tennessee, with his body wrapped in an American flag and a copy of the U.S. Constitution placed under his head, according to his wishes. Continue reading Former President Andrew Johnson buried in Greeneville 150 years ago today (Aug 3 1875)

Former U.S. President Andrew Johnson, 66, dies in Elizabethton, Tennessee 150 years ago this hour (July 31 1875)


Video: 'Andrew Johnson: The President Who Wasn’t Lincoln | 5-Minute Videos
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(Tuesday, July 31, 1875, 2:00 a.m. local time) — Former President Andrew Johnson, who had recently returned to national office as a United States Senator, died early this morning after suffering a second stroke at his daughter’s home near Elizabethton, Tennessee. He was 66. Continue reading Former U.S. President Andrew Johnson, 66, dies in Elizabethton, Tennessee 150 years ago this hour (July 31 1875)

Former U.S. Vice President John C. Breckinridge dies 150 years ago this hour (May 17 1875)


Video: 'From U.S. Veep to Rebel General: Breckinridge's Path'

(Monday, May 17, 1875, 5:45 p.m. local time)John C. Breckinridge, the 14th vice president of the United States, with President James Buchanan, from 1857 to 1861, died this afternoon at his Lexington, Kentucky, home from cirrhosis of the liver at age 54. Continue reading Former U.S. Vice President John C. Breckinridge dies 150 years ago this hour (May 17 1875)

Aristides wins first Kentucky Derby 150 years ago today (May 17 1875)


Video: 'Aristides 1875 (The Oliver Lewis Story)'

(Monday, May 17, 1875) — The first Kentucky Derby was run today in front of an estimated crowd of 10,000 people; the winner was a colt named Aristides, ridden by Oliver Lewis and trained by former slave Ansel Williamson. Continue reading Aristides wins first Kentucky Derby 150 years ago today (May 17 1875)

U.S. President Herbert Hoover born in West Branch, Iowa 150 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 10 1874)


Video: 'The real Herbert Hoover'

(Monday, August 10, 1874)Herbert Hoover, the 31st president of the United States from 1929 to 1933, was born Herbert Clark Hoover today in West Branch, Iowa, the first American chief executive born in that state and west of the Mississippi River. Continue reading U.S. President Herbert Hoover born in West Branch, Iowa 150 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 10 1874)

Former U.S. President Millard Fillmore, 74, dies in Buffalo, New York 150 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 8 1874)


Video: 'Millard Fillmore: Last of the Whigs (1850 - 1853)'

(Sunday, March 8, 1874, 11:10 p.m. EST) — Millard Fillmore, the 13th president of the United States, serving from 1850 to 1853, died this evening in Buffalo, New York, at age 74, after suffering a second stroke in as many months. Continue reading Former U.S. President Millard Fillmore, 74, dies in Buffalo, New York 150 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 8 1874)

Mob of former Confederate soldiers and Ku Klux Klan members kill dozens of Black militia men in Colfax, Louisiana 150 years ago this hour #OnThisday #OTD (Apr 13 1873)


Video: 'The Horrifying True Story Behind the Colfax Massacre | True Crime Stories'

(Easter Sunday, April 13, 1873, approximately 12:30 p.m. local time; during the Colfax massacre, part of the Reconstruction Era) — A mob of former Confederate soldiers and Ku Klux Klan members killed an estimated 62-153 black militiamen occupying the Grant Parish, Louisiana, courthouse today over a contested gubernatorial election. Continue reading Mob of former Confederate soldiers and Ku Klux Klan members kill dozens of Black militia men in Colfax, Louisiana 150 years ago this hour #OnThisday #OTD (Apr 13 1873)