The 1880s

1886 140 years ago

Haymarket affair: In Chicago, United States, a homemade bomb is thrown at police officers trying to break up a labor ral

The Haymarket affair, also known as the Haymarket massacre, the Haymarket riot, the Haymarket Square riot, or the Haymarket Incident, was the aftermath of a bombing that took place…

Haymarket affair: In Chicago, United States, a homemade bomb is thrown at police officers trying to break up a labor ral

1886 140 years ago

Pharmacist John Pemberton first sells a carbonated beverage named "Coca-Cola" as a patent medicine

John Stith Pemberton was an American pharmacist, chemist, and Confederate States Army officer who is best known as the inventor of Coca-Cola. On May 8, 1886, he developed an early …

Pharmacist John Pemberton first sells a carbonated beverage named "Coca-Cola" as a patent medicine

1886 140 years ago

The pharmacist John Pemberton places his first advertisement for Coca-Cola, which appeared in The Atlanta Journal

A pharmacist, also known as a chemist in Commonwealth English, is a healthcare professional who is knowledgeable about preparation, mechanism of action, clinical usage and legislat…

The pharmacist John Pemberton places his first advertisement for Coca-Cola, which appeared in The Atlanta Journal

1886 140 years ago

Mount Tarawera in New Zealand erupts, killing 153 people and burying the famous Pink and White Terraces

Mount Tarawera is a volcano on the North Island of New Zealand within the older but volcanically productive Ōkataina Caldera. Located 24 kilometres southeast of Rotorua, it consist…

Mount Tarawera in New Zealand erupts, killing 153 people and burying the famous Pink and White Terraces

1886 140 years ago

A fire devastates much of Vancouver, British Columbia

The Great Vancouver Fire destroyed most of the newly incorporated city of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, on June 13, 1886. It started as two land-clearing fires to the west o…

A fire devastates much of Vancouver, British Columbia

1886 140 years ago

The 7.0 Mw Charleston earthquake strikes southeastern South Carolina with a maximum Mercalli intensity of X (Extreme),…

The 1886 Charleston earthquake in South Carolina occurred about 9:50 p.m. local time August 31. It caused 60 deaths and $5–6 million in damage to 2,000 buildings in the Southeaster…

The 7.0 Mw Charleston earthquake strikes southeastern South Carolina with a maximum Mercalli intensity of X (Extreme),…

1886 140 years ago

Michalis Dorizas, Greek-American football player and javelin thrower (died 1957)

Michális Dórizas was a Greek athlete who competed in throwing events at the 1906, 1908 and 1912 Summer Olympics. He won a silver medal in the javelin throw in 1908 and a bronze in …

Michalis Dorizas, Greek-American football player and javelin thrower (died 1957)

1886 140 years ago

Henri Moissan isolated elemental Fluorine for the first time

Ferdinand Frédéric Henri Moissan was a French chemist and pharmacist who won the 1906 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his work in isolating fluorine from its compounds. Among his othe…

Henri Moissan isolated elemental Fluorine for the first time

1886 140 years ago

The first transcontinental train trip across Canada departs from Montreal, Quebec

Montreal is the largest city in the province of Quebec, the second-largest in Canada, and the eighth-largest in North America. Founded in 1642 as Ville-Marie, or "City of Mary", it…

The first transcontinental train trip across Canada departs from Montreal, Quebec

1886 140 years ago

Karl Benz officially unveils the Benz Patent-Motorwagen, the first purpose-built automobile.

Carl Friedrich Benz was a German engine designer and automotive engineer. His Benz Patent-Motorwagen from 1885 is considered the first practical, modern automobile and the first ca…

Karl Benz officially unveils the Benz Patent-Motorwagen, the first purpose-built automobile.

1886 140 years ago

The New-York Tribune becomes the first newspaper to use a linotype machine, eliminating typesetting by hand.

The New-York Tribune was an American newspaper founded in 1841 by editor Horace Greeley. It bore the moniker New-York Daily Tribune from 1842 to 1866 before returning to its origin…

The New-York Tribune becomes the first newspaper to use a linotype machine, eliminating typesetting by hand.

1886 140 years ago

The Canadian Pacific Railway's first scheduled train from Montreal arrives in Port Moody on the Pacific coast, after…

The Canadian Pacific Railway, also known simply as CPR or Canadian Pacific and formerly as CP Rail (1968–1996), is a Canadian Class I railway incorporated in 1881. The railway is o…

The Canadian Pacific Railway's first scheduled train from Montreal arrives in Port Moody on the Pacific coast, after…

1886 140 years ago

American Indian Wars: After almost 30 years of fighting, Apache leader Geronimo, with his remaining warriors,…

The American Indian Wars, also known as the American Frontier Wars, and the Indian Wars, were initially fought by European colonial empires, the United States, and briefly the Conf…

American Indian Wars: After almost 30 years of fighting, Apache leader Geronimo, with his remaining warriors,…

1886 140 years ago

Ernst Thälmann, German politician (died 1944)

Ernst Johannes Fritz Thälmann was a German communist politician, revolutionary, and leader of the Communist Party of Germany (KPD) from 1925 to 1933.

Ernst Thälmann, German politician (died 1944)

1886 140 years ago

Izidor Cankar, Slovenian historian, author, and diplomat (died 1958)

Izidor Cankar was a Slovenian author, art historian, diplomat, journalist, translator, and liberal conservative politician. He was one of the most important Slovenian art historian…

Izidor Cankar, Slovenian historian, author, and diplomat (died 1958)

1886 140 years ago

Ma Rainey, American singer-songwriter (died 1939)

Gertrude "Ma" Rainey was an American blues singer and influential early-blues recording artist. Dubbed the "Mother of the Blues", she bridged earlier vaudeville and the authentic e…

Ma Rainey, American singer-songwriter (died 1939)

1886 140 years ago

Ğabdulla Tuqay, Russian poet and publicist (died 1913)

Ğabdulla Möxəmmətğərif ulı Tuqay was a Tatar poet, critic, publisher, and towering figure of Tatar literature. Tuqay is often referred to as the founder of modern Tatar literature …

Ğabdulla Tuqay, Russian poet and publicist (died 1913)

1886 140 years ago

Erich Salomon, German-born news photographer (died 1944)

Erich Salomon was a German news photographer known for his pictures in the diplomatic and legal professions and the innovative methods he used to acquire them.

Erich Salomon, German-born news photographer (died 1944)

1886 140 years ago

Art Shaw, American hurdler (died 1955)

Arthur Briggs Shaw was an American athlete and member of the Irish American Athletic Club. He won the bronze medal in the men's 110 metres hurdles race at the 1908 Summer Olympics …

Art Shaw, American hurdler (died 1955)

1886 140 years ago

Gottfried Benn, German author and poet (died 1956)

Gottfried Benn was a German poet, essayist, and physician. He was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature five times. He was awarded the Georg Büchner Prize in 1951.

Gottfried Benn, German author and poet (died 1956)

1886 140 years ago

Marcel Dupré, French organist and composer (died 1971)

Marcel Jean-Jules Dupré was a French organist, composer, and pedagogue.

Marcel Dupré, French organist and composer (died 1971)

1886 140 years ago

Karl Barth, Swiss theologian and author (died 1968)

Karl Barth was a Swiss Reformed theologian. Barth is best known for his commentary The Epistle to the Romans, his involvement in the Confessing Church, including his authorship of …

Karl Barth, Swiss theologian and author (died 1968)

1886 140 years ago

Olaf Stapledon, English novelist and philosopher (died 1950)

William Olaf Stapledon was an English philosopher and author of science fiction. In 2014, he was inducted into the Science Fiction and Fantasy Hall of Fame.

Olaf Stapledon, English novelist and philosopher (died 1950)

1886 140 years ago

Ernst A

Captain Ernst August Lehmann was a German Zeppelin captain. He was one of the most famous and experienced figures in German airship travel. The Pittsburgh Press called Lehmann the …

Ernst A