US History 1890 to 1899 Chronology

(new state) Wyoming, the state with the smallest population entered the Union this day. The 44th state was named after an Algonquin Indian word meaning ‘large prairie place’. Appropriately, the Indian paintbrush that covers much of the large prairie is the state flower and the meadowlark, frequently seen circling the prairie land, is the state bird. Another Indian term, Cheyenne, is also the name of the state capital. Wyoming is called the Equality State because it is the first state to have granted women the right to vote (1869).

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Aug 16

Alexander Clark, journalist/lawyer, named minister to Liberia.

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Sep 25

A U.S. National Park was established in Central CA. It was called Sequoia National Park after the giant redwood trees that grow there.

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Sep 25

Congress establishes Yosemite National Park (Calif).

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Sep 26

US stops minting $1 & $3 gold coin & 3¢ piece.

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Oct 01

Yosemite National Park is dedicated in California.

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Oct 11

Daughters of the American Revolution is founded in Washington, D.C. Ref: 5

Nov 04

First American Kennel Club licensed trial for Beagles held in Hyannis, Massachusetts.

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Nov 18

Battleship U.S.S. Maine launched.

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Dec 31

Ellis Island (New York NY) opens as a US immigration depot.

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1891

Mar 03

Congress creates Office of Superintendent of Immigration (Treasury Department).

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Mar 03

Congress creates US Courts of Appeal.

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Mar 04

Congress passes International Copyright Act halting piracy by U.S. publishers.

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Mar 20

The first computing scale company was incorporated in Dayton, OH.

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Mar 21

A Hatfield marries a McCoy, ends long feud in West Virginia; it started with an accusation of pig-stealing & lasted 20 years.

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Aug 17

First public bath opens in New York City

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Aug 18

Rainmaking experiments are conducted near Midland, Texas by the U.S. government.

Sep 03

John Stephens Durham, named minister to Haiti.

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Dec 02

52nd Congress (1891-93) convenes.

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Dec 07

52nd Congress (1st to appropriate $1 billion) holds first session.

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1892

Jan 11

William D McCoy of Indiana appointed US minister to Liberia.

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Feb 01

Mrs William Astor invites 400 guests to a grand ball at her mansion thus beginning the use of the "400" to describe the socially elite.

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Feb 29

Britain & US sign treaty on seal hunting in Bering Sea.

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Apr 12

Voters in Lockport, NY became the first in the U.S. to use voting machines.

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Apr 15

General Electric Company forms & is incorporated in New York.

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May 05

Congress passed the Geary Chinese Exclusion Act, which required Chinese in the United States to be registered or face deportation.

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May 19

National Society of Colonial Dames of America founded.

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May 28

Sierra Club is organized by John Muir in San Fransisco, for conservation of nature.

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Jul 04

The first double-decked street car service was inaugurated -- in San Diego, CA. And you still see them all over the place in San Diego.

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Jul 10

First concrete-paved street built (Bellefountaine, Ohio).

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Sep 08

The original version of the Pledge of Allegiance, written by a former Baptist preacher Francis Bellamy, is published in "Youth's Companion", a magazine. (TWA, 1997)

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Oct 18

The first long-distance telephone communication is established between the mayors of New York and Chicago.

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Oct 20

The city of Chicago dedicates the World's Columbian Exposition.

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1893

Jan 16

US troops overthrow Queen Liluokalani of Hawaii. (XDG, p 4A, 1/16/01)

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Mar 03

Congress authorizes first federal road agency, in Department of Agriculture.

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Mar 30

Thomas F Bayard becomes 1st US ambassador in Great Britain

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Jun 14

The city of Philadelphia observes the first Flag Day.

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Jul 01

The first bicycle race track in America to be made out of wood was opened in San Francisco, CA.

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Jul 05

During a strike against the Pullman Palace Car Company, which had drastically reduced wages, the 1892 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago's Jackson Park was set ablaze, and seven buildings were reduced to ashes. The mobs raged on, burning and looting railroad cars and fighting police in the streets, until 10 July, when 14,000 federal and state troops finally succeeded in putting down the strike.

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Aug 07

53rd Congress (1893-95) convenes.

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Aug 10

Chinese deported from SF under Exclusion Act.

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Aug 15

US no longer allowed exclusive rights in Bering Sea.

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Dec 20

First state anti-lynching statute approved, in Georgia.

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1894

Jan 30

US flag fired on in Rio; prompt satisfaction exacted by Admiral Benham.

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Feb 02

US warship Kearsarge wrecked on Roncador Reef, near Solomon Island.

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Feb 03

First US steel sailing vessel, Dirigo, launched, Bath ME.

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Mar 03

The first Greek-language publication in America was published. It was known as the "New York Atlantis".

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Mar 05

Seattle authorizes first municipal employment office in US.

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Mar 17

US & China sign treaty preventing Chinese laborers from entering US.

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Apr 29

Commonweal of Christ (Coxey's Army) arrives in Wash, DC 500 strong to protest unemployment; Coxey arrested for trespassing at Capitol.

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May 23

William Love hosts ground breaking ceremonies for Love Canal.

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Jun 15

America's first commercial museum organized in Philadelphia.

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Aug 18

Congress establishes the Bureau of Immigration.

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Aug 24

Congress passes the first graduated income tax law, which is declared unconstitutional the next year.

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Aug 27

Congress passes the first graduated income tax law, as part of the Wilson-Gorman Tariff Act, which is declared unconstitutional the next year.

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Aug 28

2% income tax in U.S. comes into force with Wilson Gorman tariff.

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Sep 01

By an act of Congress, Labor Day is declared a national holiday.

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Sep 17

Capt. W. A. Glassford, of US Signal Corps, and a detachment of signal sergeants surpass the previous world-record (125 miles) for long distance optical communication by exchanging heliograph signals between stations on Mount Ellen, Utah, and Mount Uncompahgre, Colorado, 183 miles apart.

Sep 28

Marks and Spencer first store opens in Manchester.

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Oct 01

Civic organization, Knights of Ak-Sar-Ben founded in Omaha, Nebraska.

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Nov 25

Greenback (Independent) Party organizes in Indpls.

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1895

Feb 04

The first rolling lift bridge opened over the Chicago River at Van Buren Street, Chicago. The bridge used steel trusses or girders across the navigable channel supported by, and rigidly connected to, large steel rollers as curved steel bases, like rocking chair rockers, weighted in the rear to counterbalance the span. To open, the bridge rolled back on its rockers until upright, like a jackknife.

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Feb 11

Georgetown became part of Washington DC.

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Feb 20

Congress authorizes a US mint at Denver CO.

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Feb 21

North Carolina Legislature, adjourns for day to mark death of Frederick Douglass.

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Mar 18

200 blacks leave Savannah GA for Liberia.

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Mar 19

Los Angeles Railway established to provide streetcar service.

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Apr 11

Anaheim completes its new electric light system.

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Apr 18

New York State passed an act that established free public baths! They were to be open 14 hours a day and provide hot and cold water.

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May 20

U.S. income tax declared unconstitutional.

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May 25

James P. Lee first published Gold in America -- A Practical Manual. It is said to be the first book about regular folks finding gold in “them thar hills.”

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Dec 02

54th Congress (1895-97) convenes.

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Dec 17

Anti-Saloon League of America formed, Washington DC.

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1896

Jan 04

(new state) Utah (45th state) entered the United States of America; capital: Salt Lake City; bird: seagull; flower: sego lily; nickname: Beehive State.

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Mar 08

Volunteers of America forms (New York NY).

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Mar 20

US Marines land in Nicaragua to protect US citizens in the wake of a revolution.

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Jun 11

US Assay Office in Deadwood, South Dakota authorized.

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Jul 07

The Democratic National Convention opens in Chicago. (XDG, p 4A, 7/7/2000)

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Jul 28

The community of Miami, was incorporated. The city had a population of 260. Today, the Miami area boasts a population of around 2,000,000.

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Aug 15

The "Emporia Gazette" published the editorial, “What’s the matter with Kansas?”

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Aug 24

Thomas Brooks is shot and killed by an unknown assailant, begining a six year feud with the McFarland family.

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Oct 01

Yosemite becomes a National Park.

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Oct 26

America's first cinema opens in New Orleans-Vitascope Hall, 400 seats.

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Nov 14

Power plant at Niagara Falls begins operation.

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Nov 15

Niagara Falls power plant startup

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Nov 24

First US absentee voting law enacted by VT.

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Dec 01

First certified public accountants receive certificates (New York).

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1897

Feb 02

Fire destroyed the PA state capitol in Harrisburg. (A new statehouse was dedicated on the same site nine years later.)

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Feb 05

The Indiana House of Representatives unanimously passed a measure redefining the area of a circle and the value of pi. The bill died in the state Senate.

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May 14

A statue of George Washington was unveiled in Philadelphia, PA. To commemorate the occasion, John Philip Sousa’s march, The Stars and Stripes Forever, was performed. It was the first public performance for Sousa’s march and the President of the US, William McKinley, was in the audience.

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Jun 16

Great Alaska gold rush begins with news of first discovery at Bonanza Creek.

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Jun 17

William Frank Powell, NJ educator, named minister to Haiti

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Jul 17

First ship arrives in Seattle carrying gold from the Yukon.

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Sep 21

8-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon had written a letter to The NY Sun: “I am eight years old. Some of my friends say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says, ‘If you see it in The Sun, it’s so.’ Please tell me the truth. Is there a Santa Claus?” Editor Frank Church wrote the response that was printed for the first time on this day: “Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. He exists as certainly as love and generosity and devotion exist. No Santa Claus? Thank God he lives and lives forever. A thousand years from now, Virginia, nay ten times 10,000 years from now, he will continue to make glad the heart of childhood.”

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1898

Apr 20

US Assay Office in Deadwood SD opens.

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May 10

A vending machine law was enacted in Omaha, NE. It would cost $5,000 for a permit.

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May 21

US Assay Office in Seattle WA authorized.

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Jun 07

Social Democracy of America party holds first national convention, in Chicago.

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Jun 18

Atlantic City, NJ opened its Steel Pier to a large summertime seashore crowd. The world-famous Steel Pier over the Atlantic Ocean offered 9-1/2 miles of amusements, concerts, food, beverages, concessions and more. The Steel Pier once featured a horse that would dive into a pool at the end of the pier, in fact. The summer resort gave many a youngster their start in show biz, like Ed McMahon, who used to be a barker on the ocean pier.

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Jun 24

American troops, drive Spanish forces from La Guasimas Cuba.

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1899