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The Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition, a world's fair meant to celebrate the 100th birthday of the United States opens on 285 acres in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia.
Among its notable public showings include Alexander Graham Bell, with his newly patented telephone, Thomas Edison with the megaphone and phonograph, Westinghouse with the air brake, the first public showing of the top portion of the Statue of Liberty and the Corliss Engine. -
The Battle of Little Big Horn
The Battle of Little Big Horn occurs when Lt. Colonel George Custer and his 7th U.S. Cavalry engage the Sioux and Cheyenne Indians on the bluffs above the Little Big Horn River. All 264 members of the 7th Cavalry and Custer perish in the battle, the most complete rout in American military history. -
Rutherford B. Hayes as President and William A. Wheeler as Vice President.
Congressional leaders from both houses of Congress convene on the presidential election dispute, reaching the Compromise of 1877 and electing Rutherford B. Hayes as President and William A. Wheeler as Vice President. -
The Indian leader of Oglala Sioux surrenders
Indian leader of the Oglala Sioux, Crazy Horse, surrenders to the United States Army in Nebraska. -
The Nez Perce War begins
The Nez Perce War begins when Nez Perce Indians route two companies of United States Army cavalry in Idaho Territory near White Bird. This is the first battle of the war. On August 9 Colonel John Gibbon commands the 7th U.S. Infantry as they clash with Nez Perce Indians at the Battle of the Little Big Hole. This war was fought when the Nez Perce tribe attempted to avoid confinement within the reservation system. -
Thomas Edison patents the cylinder phonograph or tin foil phonograph.
Thomas Edison patents the cylinder phonograph or tin foil phonograph. -
The Edison Electric Company begins operation
The Edison Electric Company begins operation -
Albert Einstein was born
Albert Einstein, who would later revolutionize modern Physics, is born in Germany. -
James Garfield elected president
James A. Garfield, Republican is elected president over Winfield S. Hancock, the Democratic candidate. Garfield receives 214 Electoral College votes to 155 for Hancock, but barely wins the popular vote with a majority of only 7,023 voters. -
James Garfield was shot
The 20th President of the United States, James A. Garfield, is shot by lawyer Charles J. Guiteau in the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad station in Washington, D.C. He would die two months later on September 19, 1881 from an infection and be succeeded in the presidency by Vice President Chester Arthur on September 20. -
The Statue of Liberty
The Statue of Liberty, known during its construction and erection as "Bartholdi's Light" or "Liberty Enlightening the World" is dedicated by President Grover Cleveland in New York Harbor. First shown in the United States at the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia ten years earlier, the huge sculpture by French artist Auguste Bartholdi provided the beacon to millions of immigrants and citizens who would pass its position in the decades to come. -
motion picture camera
Work begins on the first motion picture camera at Thomas A. Edison's laboratory. -
Grover Cleveland as president
Grover Cleveland returns to the presidency with his victory in the presidential election over incumbent President Benjamin Harrison and People's Party candidate James Weaver. Weaver, who would receive over 1 million votes and 22 Electoral College votes, helped defeat Harrison, who garnered only 145 Electoral College votes to Cleveland's 277. -
The New York Stock Exchange collapses
The New York Stock Exchange collapses, starting the financial panic of 1893. It would lead to a four year period of depression. -
William McKinley as president
Republican William McKinley claims victory in the presidential election with a majority of Electoral College voters, 271 selected him over Democratic and People's Party candidate William J. Bryan with 176. -
The United States annexes the independent republic of Hawaii.
The United States annexes the independent republic of Hawaii. -
The Gold Standard Act is ratified
The Gold Standard Act is ratified, placing the United States currency on the gold standard.
