Category Archives: 1880s

U.S. Vice President Thomas A. Hendricks, 66, dies in Indianapolis 140 years ago this hour (Nov 25 1885)


Video: 'Thomas A. Hendrick - 21st U.S. Vice President'

(Wednesday, November 25, 1885, 5:00 p.m. local time)Thomas A. Hendricks, the 21st vice president of the United States since March 4, 1885 (under Grover Cleveland), suffered a fatal heart attack today in Indianapolis, Indiana, after only less than nine months in office. Continue reading U.S. Vice President Thomas A. Hendricks, 66, dies in Indianapolis 140 years ago this hour (Nov 25 1885)

Gottlieb Daimler patents the world’s first internal combustion motorcycle 140 years ago today (Aug 29 1885)


Video: 'Mercedes-Benz TV: The riding car – a Daimler patent.'

(Saturday, August 29, 1885) — Gottlieb Daimler today patented the world’s first internal combustion motorcycle, the Daimler Reitwagen (“riding wagon”), the forerunner of all vehicles, land, sea and air, that use its overwhelmingly popular engine type.

Million+ witness funeral procession for former President Grant in New York City 140 years ago this hour (Aug 8 1885)

Video: 'U.S. Grant Funeral'

(Saturday, August 8, 1885, procession began: 8:30 a.m. at City Hall with arrival at Riverside Park and internment at about 4:30 p.m. local time) — More than one million people witnessed the funeral procession of former President Ulysses S. Grant (who had died July 23, 1885) today in New York City. Continue reading Million+ witness funeral procession for former President Grant in New York City 140 years ago this hour (Aug 8 1885)

Former U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant, 63, dies in Wilton, New York 140 years ago this hour (July 23 1885)


Video: 'Ulysses S. Grant: U.S President And Victor Of The American Civil War'

(Tuesday, July 23, 1885, 8:06 a.m. local time) — General Ulysses S. Grant, former President of the United States and victorious commander of Union forces in the American Civil War, died today at his cottage retreat upon Mount McGregor, after a long and painful battle with cancer of the throat. He was 63 years of age. Continue reading Former U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant, 63, dies in Wilton, New York 140 years ago this hour (July 23 1885)

Statue of Liberty arrives in New York Harbor 140 years ago this hour (June 17 1885)


Video: 'How They Built the Statue of Liberty.mov' (June 17, 1885, at 13:07)

(Wednesday, June 17, 1885, approximately 2:00 a.m local time) — The Statue of Liberty arrived today in New York aboard the French frigate Isère in 214 crates that held the disassembled gift from the people of France. Continue reading Statue of Liberty arrives in New York Harbor 140 years ago this hour (June 17 1885)

Cleveland sworn in as 22nd U.S. President, Hendricks as 21st VP 140 years ago today (Mar 4 1885)


Video: 'President Grover Cleveland 1st Inaugural Address - Hear and Read the Full Text'

(Wednesday, March 4, 1885, approximately noon local time EST) — Former Governor Grover Cleveland of New York was inaugurated today as the 22nd President of the United States at the East Portico of the United States Capitol with Chief Justice Morrison R. Waite administering oath of office. Continue reading Cleveland sworn in as 22nd U.S. President, Hendricks as 21st VP 140 years ago today (Mar 4 1885)

Washington Monument dedicated 140 years ago today (Feb 21 1885)


Video: '21st February 1885: the Washington Monument in Washington, D.C. was dedicated'

(Saturday, February 21, 1885) — The Washington Monument, an obelisk on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., built to commemorate George Washington, once commander-in-chief of the early Continental Army and the first American president, was officially dedicated today by President Chester A. Arthur during ceremonies. Continue reading Washington Monument dedicated 140 years ago today (Feb 21 1885)

Mark Twain’s ‘Adventures of Huckleberry Finn’ published in U.S. 140 years ago today (Feb 18 1885)


Video: '18th February 1885: Mark Twain's "Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" published in the United States.'

(Wednesday, February 18, 1885) — Mark Twain’s Adventures of Huckleberry Finn was published in the U.S. for the first time today (after already being published in Britain and Canada). Continue reading Mark Twain’s ‘Adventures of Huckleberry Finn’ published in U.S. 140 years ago today (Feb 18 1885)

Grover Cleveland elected 22nd president of the United States, defeating James G. Blaine 140 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 4 1884)


Video: 'The American Presidential Election of 1884'

(Tuesday, November 4, 1884, during the 1884 presidential campaign) — Democratic Governor Grover Cleveland of New York was elected as the 22nd president of the United States today, defeating Republican former U.S. House Speaker James G. Blaine of Maine. Continue reading Grover Cleveland elected 22nd president of the United States, defeating James G. Blaine 140 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 4 1884)