US History 1880 to 1889 Chronology

A country club named The Country Club became the first country club in the United States -- in Brookline, MA. Of course, playing golf in mid-January in New England didn’t work out, so hunters went out to pick off the wildlife right off the fairways.

Ref: 4

Feb 02

Knights of Columbus, fraternal benefit association founded in New Haven CT.

Ref: 17

Mar 16

The U.S. Senate approved a treaty allowing the United States to join the Red Cross.

Ref: 4

Mar 22

Edmunds Act adopted by US to suppress polygamy in the territories.

Ref: 5

Mar 29

The Knights of Columbus, founded by Father Michael J. McGivney, was chartered by the General Assembly of Connecticut. Established as a lay fraternal society, the K of C encourages benevolence, patriotism and racial tolerance among its members.

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Apr 10

Matson founds his shipping company (San Francisco & Hawaii).

Ref: 5

May 06

Over President Chester A. Arthur's veto, Congress passed the Chinese Exclusion Act, which bars Chinese immigrants from the United States for 10 years.

Ref: 70

Aug 03

Congress passes the Immigration Act, banning Chinese immigration for ten years.

Ref: 5

Aug 07

Hatfields of south WV & McCoys of east KY feud, 100 wounded or die.

Ref: 5

Sep 01

The first Labor Day is observed in New York City by the Carpenters and Joiners Union.

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Sep 30

The first US hydroelectric power plant was opened in Appleton Wisconson. A single dynamo of 180 lights each of ten candle power was erected

Ref: 62

1883

Jan 06

The Pendleton Act reforms US civil service, initiating competetive examinations for placement.

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Jan 16

The United States Civil Service Commission was established as the Pendleton Act goes into effect.

Ref: 4

Feb 23

American Anti-Vivisection Society is organized in Philadelphia.

Ref: 5

Feb 23

Alabama becomes first US state to enact an antitrust law.

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Mar 03

Congress authorizes the first steel vessels in US navy.

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Mar 24

Long-distance telephone service is inaugurated between Chicago and New York.

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May 24

The Brooklyn Bridge, linking Manhattan and Brooklyn, is opened by President Arthur & Governor Cleveland. Construction began January 1, 1870.

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Oct 18

The weather station at the top of Ben Nevis, Scotland, the highest mountain in Britain, is declared open. Weather stations were set up on the tops of mountains all over Europe and the Eastern United States in order to gather information for the new weather forecasts.

Ref: 2

Oct 31

World Women's Christian Temperance Union organized at convention in Detroit.

Ref: 10

Dec 03

48th US Congress (1883-85) convenes.

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1884

Mar 13

Standard Time was adopted throughout the United States.

Ref: 70

Mar 27

The first long-distance telephone call was made, between Boston and New York City.

Ref: 70

Apr 10

US Senate accepts Belgian administration of Congo.

Ref: 5

Apr 21

Potters Field reopened as Madison Park.

Ref: 5

Apr 22

US recognizes King Leopold II's Congo Free State.

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May 01

The first skyscraper in America was under construction. No, it wasn’t in NY. It was a 10-story building located on the corner of LaSalle and Adams in Chicago, IL.

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May 14

Anti-Monopoly party forms in the US.

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May 17

Alaska becomes a US territory.

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Jul 04

Statue of Liberty was given to U.S. to commemorate the French and American revolutions

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Jul 07

By act of Congress a new "Great Seal of the United States" was recut based on the original design and the old seal, known as the "illegal seal", made illegally by the Secretary of State in 1841, was removed from use.

Ref: 62

Aug 05

The cornerstone for the Statue of Liberty was laid on Bedloe's Island in New York Harbor.

Ref: 70

Sep 17

American Kennel Club (AKC) established to set rules for dog shows.

Ref: 10

Oct 06

The Naval War College was established in Newport, R.I.

Ref: 70

Nov 15

Samuel Sidney McClure of NY City started the first literary syndicate -- the McClure Syndicate. It bought authors’ works and then sold the right to print them to various newspapers across the U.S.

Ref: 4

Dec 06

The Washington Monument is completed when the aluminum capstone set at its top, 101 years after George Washington himself approved the location halfway between the proposed sites of the Capitol and the White House. Ref

1885

Jan 31

C.D. Wright was appointed as the first Commissioner of Labor in the United States. A lofty job for a gentleman whose salary was $3,000. Of course, in 1885, you could buy a house for $3,000 and a cow.

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Feb 21

The Washington Monument is dedicated. Ref

Feb 25

US Congress condemns barbed wire around government grounds.

Ref: 5

Mar 03

First US state (California) establishes a permanent forest commission.

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Mar 03

American Telephone & Telegraph (AT&T) incorporates.

Ref: 5

Mar 03

Congress passes Indian Appropriations Act (Indians wards of federal government).

Ref: 5

Mar 28

The Salvation Army is officially organized in the United States.

Ref: 2

May 19

First mass production of shoes (Jan Matzeliger in Lynn MA).

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Jun 19

The Statue of Liberty arrives in New York City aboard the French ship Isere. (The History Magazine, p.63, May/June 2003)

Nov 06

US mint at Carson City, NV directed to close.

Ref: 5

Dec 07

49th Congress (1885-87) convenes.

Ref: 5

1886

Jan 01

Tournament of Roses parade started in Pasadena by Valley Hunt Club followed by amateur athletics. ("Who Was Who in America, 1607-1896")

Feb 09

President Cleveland declares a state of emergency in Seattle because of anti-Chinese violence.

Ref: 5

Mar 06

First US alternating current power plant starts, Great Barrington MA.

Ref: 5

Mar 20

First AC power plant in US begins commercial operation, Massachusetts.

Ref: 5

Jul 04

The first rodeo in America was held at Prescott, Arizona.

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Oct 01

The US mint at Carson City, Nevada closes.

Ref: 5

Oct 28

The last rivet on the Statue of Liberty (originally named Liberty Enlightening the World) is driven and the statue is dedicated by President Grover Cleveland. A gift from France, the statue was designed by Frenchsculptor Frederic Auguste Bartholdi and was erected at the entrance of New York harbor as a symbol of freedom to welcome immigrants and others from around the world.

Ref: 2

1887

Feb 03

To avoid disputed national elections, Congress creates Electoral Count Act.

Ref: 5

Feb 08

Congress passes the Dawes Act, which gives citizenship to Indians living apart from their tribe.

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Feb 22

Union Labor Party organized in Cincinnati.

Ref: 5

Mar 03

American Protective Association forms (anti-Catholic) in Clinton IA.

Ref: 5

Mar 15

Michigan appoints first salaried game & fish warden in US(William Alden Smith).

Ref: 5

May 26

Racetrack betting becomes legal in New York state.

Ref: 5

1888

Jan 13

National Geographic Society founded at Cosmos Club opposite White House, DC.

Ref: 5

Jan 27

The National Geographic Society is founded in Washington, DC.

Ref: 4

Feb 24

Louisville KY becomes 1st government in US to adopt the Australian ballot.

Ref: 5

Apr 24

Eastman Kodak forms.

Ref: 5

Jun 01

The first seismographs to be installed in California are installed in the Lick Observatory

Ref: 5

Jun 13

Congress creates the Department of Labor.

Ref: 5

Oct 09

The Washington Monument, designed by Robert Mills, opens to the public.

Ref: 2

Nov 27

National Geographic Society organizes (Washington DC).

Ref: 5

1889

Jan 03

Admissions convention meets in Ellensburg WA, asks for statehood.

Ref: 5

Jan 19

The Salvation Army split, as one faction within the denomination renounced allegiance to founder William Booth. Booth's son Ballington and his wife Maud led the American splinter group, which in 1896 incorporated itself as a separate denomination known as the Volunteers of America.

Ref: 5

Jan 22

The Columbia Phonograph Company was formed in Washington, DC.

Ref: 4

Feb 13

Norman Coleman became the first U.S. Secretary of Agriculture. He had previously held the title of Commissioner of Agriculture.

Ref: 4

Feb 22

President Cleveland signed a bill to admit the Dakotas, Montana and Washington state to the Union.

Ref: 70

Mar 02

Congress passes the Indian Appropriations Bill, proclaiming unassigned lands in the public domain; the first step toward the famous Oklahoma Land Rush.

Ref: 2

Mar 23

President Harrison opens Oklahoma for white colonization.

Ref: 5

Apr 03

Savings Bank of the Order of True Reformers opens in Richmond, Va

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Apr 22

The U.S. government purchases almost two million acres of land in Central Oklahoma from the Crete and Seminole Indians and opened it up on this day to the settlers to claim their stakes.

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Apr 30

The first national holiday in the United States was celebrated. The citizens of the US observed the centennial of George Washington’s inauguration.

Ref: 4

Jun 08

Cable Cars begin service in Los Angeles

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Jul 01

Frederick Douglass named Minister to Haiti.

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Jul 01

US mint at Carson City, Nevada reopens.

Ref: 5

Jul 04

Washington state constitutional convention holds first meeting

Ref: 5

Aug 08

Clams containing pearls are found in the Sugar River in Wisconsin.

Oct 01

Washington voters adopt state constitution in referendum.

Ref: 5

Nov 02

(new state) North and South Dakota were admitted to the Union; the first time that two states simultaneously became a part of the United States. President Benjamin Harrison decided it was easier to mix up the admissions papers so no one would know and just list the states alphabetically. That’s why North Dakota is the 39th and South Dakota is the 40th of the United States of America.

Ref: 4

Nov 08

(new state) The Treasure State or Montana entered the United States of America as number 41. And, it turned out to be quite a treasure. Coal, copper, lead, zinc and silver have all been mined in Montana. Helena is the capital of Montana; the western meadowlark is the state bird and the bitterroot is the state flower. Of course, this has nothing to do with some of Montana’s bitter history, its most notorious event: The Battle of Little Big Horn (Custer’s Last Stand).

Ref: 4

Nov 11

(new state) Washington became the 42nd of the United States of America on this day. Known as the Evergreen State because of its rich stands of Douglas fir, white and ponderosa pine, and spruce trees, Washington calls the willow goldfinch its state bird. The colorful rhododendron is the official flower. Olympia, home of the famous Olympia oyster (from Puget Sound), is the state capital.

Ref: 4

Dec 14

American Academy of Political & Social Science organized, Philadelphia.

Ref: 5

1890

May 02

The Oklahoma Territory was organized.

Ref: 70

US History 1880 to 1889 Chronology

Last Update: October 27th, 2005 © 2000-2005 Kenneth Fussichen

Last Update: October 27th, 2005
© 2000-2005 Kenneth Fussichen