Category Archives: 1880s

Apache leader Geronimo surrenders to General Miles in Arizona 140 years ago today (Sep 4 1886)


Video: 'Arsenal History Minutes | Geronimo’s Final Surrender | WQPT'

(Saturday, September 4, 1886; during the American Indian Wars) — After almost 30 years of fighting, a group of Apache Indians led by Geronimo (also known as Goyathlay, “One Who Yawns”) surrendered today to General Nelson Miles at Skeleton Canyon in Arizona.

Earthquake devastates Charleston, South Carolina 140 years ago this hour (Aug 31 1886)


Video: '139 YEARS LATER: The Charleston Earthquake of 1886'

(Tuesday, August 31, 1886, 9:51 p.m. local time) — An earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 6.9–7.3 today devastated Charleston, South Carolina, killing at least 60 people, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Continue reading Earthquake devastates Charleston, South Carolina 140 years ago this hour (Aug 31 1886)

U.S. President Grover Cleveland, 49, marries Frances Folsom, 21, in White House 140 years ago this hour (June 2 1886)


Video: 'YOUNG FRANCES CLEVELAND AT MARRIAGE'

(Wednesday, June 2, 1886, 7:00 p.m. local time) — U.S. President Grover Cleveland, 49, married Frances Folsom, 21, today in the Blue Room of the White House, becoming the first (and to date, the only) president to marry in the executive mansion. Continue reading U.S. President Grover Cleveland, 49, marries Frances Folsom, 21, in White House 140 years ago this hour (June 2 1886)

Atlanta pharmacist John Pemberton begins selling original Coca-Cola 140 years ago today (May 8 1886)


Video: 'Animated History of Coca-Cola'

(Saturday, May 8, 1886) — Atlanta pharmacist John Pemberton today Jacob’s Pharmacy began selling the original version of Coca-Cola, which he’d invented as a non-alcoholic version of his French Wine Coca nerve tonic. Continue reading Atlanta pharmacist John Pemberton begins selling original Coca-Cola 140 years ago today (May 8 1886)

Deadly bombing at Chicago labor rally marks Haymarket affair 140 years ago this hour (May 4 1886)


Video: 'Haymarket Strike'

(Tuesday, May 4, 1886, 10:30 p.m. local time) — A labor rally in Chicago calling for an eight-hour workday turned deadly tonight when a bomb exploded as police moved to disperse the gathering in Haymarket Square. Continue reading Deadly bombing at Chicago labor rally marks Haymarket affair 140 years ago this hour (May 4 1886)

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)