On This Day

British General Charles Gordon departs London for Khartoum, Sudan

Major General Charles George Gordon CB (28 January 1833 – 26 January 1885), also known as Chinese Gordon, Gordon Pasha, Gordon of Khartoum and General Gordon, was a British Army officer and...

Major General Charles George Gordon CB (28 January 1833 – 26 January 1885), also known as Chinese Gordon, Gordon Pasha, Gordon of Khartoum and General Gordon, was a British Army officer and administrator. He saw action in the Crimean War as an officer in the British Army. He made his military reputation in China, where he was placed in command of the "Ever Victorious Army", a force of Chinese soldiers led by European officers which was instrumental in putting down the Taiping Rebellion, regularly defeating much larger forces.

Historical Significance

Major General Charles George Gordon CB (28 January 1833 – 26 January 1885), also known as Chinese Gordon, Gordon Pasha, Gordon of Khartoum and General Gordon, was a British Army officer and administrator.

Events Before

  1. The first electric lighting system employing overhead wires, built by Thomas Edison, begins service at Roselle, New Jers

    The first electric lighting system employing overhead wires, built by Thomas Edison, begins service at Roselle, New Jersey

  2. Bob Rogers is acknowledged as the first American pro sports trainer when he is hired by the NY Athletic Club

    Bob Rogers is acknowledged as the first American pro sports trainer when he is hired by the NY Athletic Club

  3. US Senator Albert B. Fall (21) weds Emma Garland Morgan in Clarksville, Texas

    US Senator Albert B. Fall (21) weds Emma Garland Morgan in Clarksville, Texas

  4. Brooklyn Bridge is opened by President Chester A. Arthur and NY Governor Grover Cleveland

    Brooklyn Bridge is opened by President Chester A. Arthur and NY Governor Grover Cleveland

  5. Krakatoa volcano, located west of Java in Indonesia, erupts with a force of 200 megatons of TNT, killing approximately 3

    Krakatoa volcano, located west of Java in Indonesia, erupts with a force of 200 megatons of TNT, killing approximately 36,000 people

Events After

  1. King Leopold II of Belgium establishes the Congo as his personal colonial possession

    From 1885 to 1908, many atrocities were committed in the Congo Free State (today the Democratic Republic of the Congo) under the absolute rule of King Leopold II of Belgium.

  2. Mark Twain publishes "The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn" in the US

    Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a picaresque novel by American author Mark Twain that was first published in the United Kingdom in December 1884 and in the United States in February 1885.

  3. Berlin Conference gives Congo to Belgium and Nigeria to the United Kingdom

    From 1885 to 1908, many atrocities were committed in the Congo Free State (today the Democratic Republic of the Congo) under the absolute rule of King Leopold II of Belgium.

  4. W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan's comic opera "The Mikado" premieres in London at the Savoy Theatre

    The Savoy Theatre is a West End theatre in the Strand in the City of Westminster, London, England. The theatre was designed by C. J.

  5. American socialite Edith Jones (23) weds American businessman Edward Robbins Wharton (35), at the Trinity Chapel, New Yo

    American socialite Edith Jones (23) weds American businessman Edward Robbins Wharton (35), at the Trinity Chapel, New York City, becoming Edith Wharton; divorce in 1913

More from the 1880s

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on January 18, 1884?
Major General Charles George Gordon CB (28 January 1833 – 26 January 1885), also known as Chinese Gordon, Gordon Pasha, Gordon of Khartoum and General Gordon, was a British Army officer and administrator. He saw action in the Crimean War as an officer in the British Army. He made his military reputation in China, where he was placed in command of the "Ever Victorious Army", a force of Chinese soldiers led by European officers which was instrumental in putting down the Taiping Rebellion, regularly defeating much larger forces.
Why is British General Charles Gordon departs London for Khartoum, Sudan significant?
Major General Charles George Gordon CB (28 January 1833 – 26 January 1885), also known as Chinese Gordon, Gordon Pasha, Gordon of Khartoum and General Gordon, was a British Army officer and administrator.

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