Category Archives: 1870s

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)

President Ulysses S. Grant sworn in for second term, Henry Wilson as 18th VP 150 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 4 1873)

(Tuesday, March 4, 1873, 12:30 p.m. local time) — President Ulysses S. Grant of Illinois took the oath of office today for a second term as the 18th President of the United States on the East Portico of the U.S. Capitol. Continue reading President Ulysses S. Grant sworn in for second term, Henry Wilson as 18th VP 150 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Mar 4 1873)

Great Boston Fire of 1872 starts in downtown warehouse basement 150 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 9) – will rage for 12 hours, destroy nearly 800 buildings and kill 30 people


Video: 'Boston Fire Trail'

(Saturday, November 9, 1872, conflagration began at 7:20 p.m. local time; during the Great Boston Fire of 1872) — The Great Boston Fire of 1872, Boston’s largest fire, and still ranks as one of the most costly fire-related property losses in American history, began tonight in the basement of a commercial warehouse at 83–87 Summer Street. Continue reading Great Boston Fire of 1872 starts in downtown warehouse basement 150 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 9) – will rage for 12 hours, destroy nearly 800 buildings and kill 30 people

U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant re-elected over Liberal Republican / Democratic nominee Horace Greeley 150 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 5 1872)


Video: 'The American Presidential Election of 1872'

(Tuesday, November 5, 1872, during the 1872 presidential campaign) — Republican incumbent President Ulysses S. Grant of Illinois was re-elected as the 18th president of the United States today, defeating newspaper publisher Horace Greeley of New York (nominated by the Liberal Republican Party and and then nominated by the Democratic Party). Continue reading U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant re-elected over Liberal Republican / Democratic nominee Horace Greeley 150 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 5 1872)

Suffragist Susan B. Anthony defies the law by attempting to cast a vote for President Ulysses S. Grant 150 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 5 1872)


Video: 'What Crime Did Susan B. Anthony Commit?'

(Tuesday, November 5, 1872; during the 1872 presidential election and first-wave feminism) — Suffragist Susan B. Anthony defied the law today by attempting to cast a vote for President Ulysses S. Grant in Rochester, New York. She is later fined $100. Continue reading Suffragist Susan B. Anthony defies the law by attempting to cast a vote for President Ulysses S. Grant 150 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 5 1872)

U.S. President Calvin Coolidge born in Plymouth Notch, Vermont 150 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 4 1872)


Video: 'Calvin Coolidge: The Silent President'

(Thursday, July 4, 1872, Independence Day)Calvin Coolidge, the the 30th president of the United States from 1923 to 1929, was born John Calvin Coolidge Jr. today in Plymouth Notch, Vermont, the only U.S. president to be born on Independence Day. Continue reading U.S. President Calvin Coolidge born in Plymouth Notch, Vermont 150 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jul 4 1872)