Category Archives: 1880s

U.S. Vice President Thomas A. Hendricks dies 130 years ago this hour (Nov 25 1885)

(Wednesday, November 25, 1885, 5:00 p.m. local time)Thomas A. Hendricks, the 21st Vice President of the United States (1885, under Grover Cleveland), suffered an apparent fatal heart attack today in Indianapolis, Indiana, after only less than nine months in office.

Following Hendricks’s death at age 66, the office of Vice-President was vacant for more than three years until March 4, 1889, when Levi P. Morton was inaugurated.

Hendricks was the fifth of seven U.S. Vice Presidents to die of natural causes while in office (1812-1912).

Million+ witness funeral procession for former President Grant in New York City 130 years ago today (Aug 8 1885)

(Saturday, August 8, 1885, 8:06 a.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 130 years ago today (Aug 8 1885)

Former U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant dies in Wilton, New York 130 years ago this hour (July 23 1885)


Video: '#18 U.S. Grant'

(Tuesday, July 23, 1885, 8:06 a.m. local time)Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th President of the United States (1869-1877) and Commanding General of the Union Army during the American Civil War, died today at a cottage on the slopes of Mount McGregor, in Wilton, New York, of throat cancer only days after completing this memoir. He was 63. Continue reading Former U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant dies in Wilton, New York 130 years ago this hour (July 23 1885)

Statue of Liberty arrives in New York Harbor 130 years ago today (June 17 1885)


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

(Wednesday, June 17, 1885) — 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.

Some 200,000 people lined the waterfront while hundreds of boats pulled into the harbor to welcome the Isère.

Cleveland sworn in as 22nd U.S. President, Hendricks as 21st VP 130 years ago today (Mar 4 1885)

(Wednesday, March 4, 1885) — 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.

Cleveland replaced Chester A. Arthur who had failed in a bid to be elected to a second term. Continue reading Cleveland sworn in as 22nd U.S. President, Hendricks as 21st VP 130 years ago today (Mar 4 1885)

Washington Monument dedicated 130 years ago today (Feb 21 1885)


Video: 'Washington Monument, Washington [HD]'

(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 Arthur during ceremonies.