US House of Representatives votes 126 to 47 to impeach President Andrew Johnson
The impeachment of Andrew Johnson for "high crimes and misdemeanors" was initiated by the United States House of Representatives on February 24, 1868.
Year in History
Explore the major historical events, famous births, and notable deaths that occurred in the year 1868. This year saw 88 significant events. 12 notable figures were born. 2 notable figures passed away.
19th Century1860s
1868 Timeline
US House of Representatives votes 126 to 47 to impeach President Andrew Johnson
The impeachment of Andrew Johnson for "high crimes and misdemeanors" was initiated by the United States House of Representatives on February 24, 1868.
American religious leader Brigham Young weds his 53rd wife, American actress and future polygamy critic Anna Webb (24),
American religious leader Brigham Young weds his 53rd wife, American actress and future polygamy critic Anna Webb (24), in Salt Lake City, Utah
The Shogunate is abolished in Japan
The first human inhabitants of the Japanese archipelago have been traced to the Paleolithic, around 38–39,000 years ago.
Abyssinian War ends as British and Indian troops capture Magdala and Ethiopian Emperor Tewodros II commits suicide
Abyssinian War ends as British and Indian troops capture Magdala and Ethiopian Emperor Tewodros II commits suicide
US Senate fails to impeach President Andrew Johnson by one vote
The impeachment of Andrew Johnson for "high crimes and misdemeanors" was initiated by the United States House of Representatives on February 24, 1868.
"Decoration Day," later called Memorial Day, is first observed in Northern US states
Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for mourning the U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. It is observed on the last Monday of May.
Britain's Dr. James Moore wins the first recorded bicycle race, a 2 km velocipede race at Parc de Saint-Cloud, Paris
James Moore (14 January 1849 – 17 July 1935) was an English bicycle racer. He is popularly regarded as the winner of the first official cycle race in the world in 1868 at St-Cloud, Paris, although...
Christopher Latham Sholes patents the Sholes and Glidden typewriter, the first commercially successful of its kind
A typewriter is a mechanical or electromechanical machine for typing characters. Typically, a typewriter has an array of keys, and each one causes a different single character to be produced on paper...
Louisiana and South Carolina are the last states to ratify the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution, guarant
Louisiana and South Carolina are the last states to ratify the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution, guaranteeing civil rights
Prime Minister of Canada Wilfrid Laurier (26) weds Zoé Lafontaine (27) in Montreal, Canada
Prime Minister of Canada Wilfrid Laurier (26) weds Zoé Lafontaine (27) in Montreal, Canada
Louis Ducos du Hauron patents a process of making color photographs, in Paris, France
Louis Ducos du Hauron patents a process of making color photographs, in Paris, France
Despite bitter opposition, US President Andrew Johnson grants an unconditional pardon to all persons involved in the Sou
Despite bitter opposition, US President Andrew Johnson grants an unconditional pardon to all persons involved in the Southern rebellion (Civil War)
Meiji Restoration returns authority to Japan's emperors
Meiji Restoration returns authority to Japan's emperors
Wilkie Collins' "The Moonstone" is first serialized in "All the Year Round" owned by Charles Dickins
Wilkie Collins' "The Moonstone" is first serialized in "All the Year Round" owned by Charles Dickins
Arkansas constitutional convention meets in Little Rock
The Constitution of Arkansas is the primary organizing law for the U.S. state of Arkansas delineating the duties, powers, structures, and functions of the state government.
Last convict ship the Hougoumont arrives in Fremantle, ending 80 years of penal transportation to Australia [1]
Between 1788 and 1868 the British penal system transported about 162,000 convicts from Great Britain and Ireland to various penal colonies in Australia. The British Government began transporting...
North Carolina constitutional convention meets in Raleigh
North Carolina ( KARR-ə-LY-nə) is a state in the Southeastern and South Atlantic regions of the United States.
Refrigerator car patented by William Davis, a fish dealer in Detroit
Refrigerator car patented by William Davis, a fish dealer in Detroit
Florida constitutional convention meets in Tallahassee
Florida participated in the American Civil War as a member of the Confederate States of America. It had been admitted to the United States as a slave state in 1845.
Conservatives & military seize Convention Hall in Florida
Conservatives & military seize Convention Hall in Florida
Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks organizes in New York City
Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks organizes in New York City
Mardi Gras in Mobile, Alabama, is the first US parade with floats
Mardi Gras in Mobile, Alabama, is the first US parade with floats
University of Illinois opens
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC, U. of I., Illinois, or University of Illinois) is a public land-grant research university in the Champaign–Urbana metropolitan area, Illinois,...
Arrigo Boito's opera "Mefistofele" premieres in Milan
Mefistofele is an Italian opera in a prologue and five acts, later reduced to four acts and an epilogue, the only completed opera with music by the Italian composer-librettist Arrigo Boito (there are...
The opera "Hamlet" by Ambroise Thomas premieres in Paris
Hamlet is a grand opera in five acts of 1868 by the French composer Ambroise Thomas, with a libretto by Michel Carré and Jules Barbier based on a French adaptation by Alexandre Dumas, père, and Paul...
Great Britain annexes Basutoland in Africa (later renamed the Kingdom of Lesotho)
Basutoland was a British Crown colony that existed from 1884 to 1966 in present-day Lesotho, bordered with the Cape Colony, Natal Colony and Orange River Colony until 1910 and completely surrounded...
Postage stamp canceling machine patent issued
Postage stamp canceling machine patent issued
1st US professional women's club, Sorosis, forms in NYC
1st US professional women's club, Sorosis, forms in NYC
University of California founded in Oakland, California
Oakland is a city in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area in the U.S. state of California.
Metropolitan Life Insurance Co forms
Metropolitan Life Insurance Co forms
Lake Ontario Shore Railroad Company is organized in Oswego, New York
The New York, Ontario and Western Railway, commonly known as the O&W or NYO&W, was a regional railroad founded in 1868.
Chinese Embassy arrives aboard steamship China
Chinese Embassy arrives aboard steamship China
Hampton Institute opens
Hampton University is a private, historically black, research university in Hampton, Virginia, United States.
Hawaiian surfs on the highest wave ever - a 50-foot tidal wave
Hawaiian surfs on the highest wave ever - a 50-foot tidal wave
Thomas D'Arcy McGee, one of the Canadian Fathers of Confederation is assassinated by the Irish, in one of the few Canadi
Thomas D'Arcy McGee, one of the Canadian Fathers of Confederation is assassinated by the Irish, in one of the few Canadian political assassinations, and only federal politician
British defeat King of Abyssinia at Magdala
The Battle of Magdala was the conclusion of the British Expedition to Abyssinia fought in April 1868 between British and Abyssinian forces at Magdala, 390 miles (630 km) from the Red Sea coast.
SC voters approved constitution, 70,758 to 27,228
SC voters approved constitution, 70,758 to 27,228
Louisiana voters approve new constitution
The Constitution of the State of South Carolina is the governing document of the U.S. state of South Carolina. It describes the structure and function of the state's government.
San Francisco Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals forms in San Francisco, California
San Francisco Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals forms in San Francisco, California
World's largest book, the "Kuthodaw Inscription Shrines," recording the whole of Buddhist scriptures on 729 marble table
World's largest book, the "Kuthodaw Inscription Shrines," recording the whole of Buddhist scriptures on 729 marble tablets, is completed and opened to the public in Mandalay, Burma
Japanese Boshin War: end of the Battle of Utsunomiya Castle, former Shogunate forces withdraw northward to Aizu by way o
Japanese Boshin War: end of the Battle of Utsunomiya Castle, former Shogunate forces withdraw northward to Aizu by way of Nikkō
Dutch government of Zuylen van Nijevelt falls
Dutch government of Zuylen van Nijevelt falls
Republican National Convention, meets in Chicago, nominates Grant
The 1880 Republican National Convention was held from June 2 to June 8, 1880, at the Interstate Exposition Building in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Delegates nominated James A.
Train robbery at Marshfield, Indiana by the Reno Brothers Gang, who make off with $98,000
Train robbery at Marshfield, Indiana by the Reno Brothers Gang, who make off with $98,000
Australian Aboriginal Cricket tour of England begins v Surrey Gentlemen
In May to October 1868, a cricket team composed of Aboriginal Australians toured England, becoming the first organised group of Australian sportspeople to travel overseas.
US President Andrew Johnson is acquitted by the Senate by one vote during his impeachment trial
The impeachment of Andrew Johnson for "high crimes and misdemeanors" was initiated by the United States House of Representatives on February 24, 1868.
Michael Obrenovich III, Prince of Serbia, is assassinated in Belgrade
Mihailo Obrenović III (Serbian Cyrillic: Михаило Обреновић, romanized: Mihailo Obrenović; 16 September 1823 – 10 June 1868) was the ruling Prince of Serbia from 1839 to 1842 and again from 1860 to...
Texas constitutional convention meets in Austin
The Constitution of the State of Texas is the document that establishes the structure and function of the government of the U.S. state of Texas and enumerates the basic rights of its citizens.
Van Bosse/Fock government begins
The Van Bosse–Fock cabinet was the cabinet of the Netherlands from 4 June 1868 until 4 January 1871. The cabinet was formed by Independent Liberals (Ind. Lib.).
First meeting of the Board of Regents of the University of California
The Regents of the University of California (also referred to as the Board of Regents to distinguish the board from the corporation it governs of the same name) is the governing board of the...
Oscar Dunn becomes first African American to be elected a Lieutenant Governor, of Louisiana
Oscar Dunn becomes first African American to be elected a Lieutenant Governor, of Louisiana
Major General E. R. S. Canby removes mayor of Columbia, South Carolina
Major General E. R. S. Canby removes mayor of Columbia, South Carolina
Wagner's opera "Meistersinger von Nuernberg" premieres in Munich
Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, WWV 96, is a music drama, or opera, in three acts, by Richard Wagner.
Arkansas re-joins the US
Arkansas (AR-kən-saw) is a landlocked state in the West South Central region of the Southern United States.
Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina readmitted to US, after the Civil War
Florida participated in the American Civil War as a member of the Confederate States of America. It had been admitted to the United States as a slave state in 1845.
Battle at Ueno, Japan: last Tokugawa armies defeated
Tokugawa Ieyasu was a Japanese samurai, daimyo, and the founder and first shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate of Japan, which ruled from 1603 until the Meiji Restoration in 1868.
Surrey wicket-keeper Ted Pooley completes a then-1st class cricket record 12 dismissals (8 caught, 4 stumped) in a Count
Surrey wicket-keeper Ted Pooley completes a then-1st class cricket record 12 dismissals (8 caught, 4 stumped) in a County match against Sussex at The Oval
Francis L. Cardozo becomes the first African American cabinet member in South Carolina as Secretary of State
Francis L. Cardozo becomes the first African American cabinet member in South Carolina as Secretary of State
Oscar J. Dunn, former slave, installed as Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana
Oscar J. Dunn, former slave, installed as Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana
Alvin J. Fellows of New Haven, Connecticut, patents the tape measure
Alvin J. Fellows of New Haven, Connecticut, patents the tape measure
First use of tax stamps on cigarettes
First use of tax stamps on cigarettes
All England Lawn Tennis Club is founded as the All England Croquet Club; in 1877, the name changes to the All England Cr
All England Lawn Tennis Club is founded as the All England Croquet Club; in 1877, the name changes to the All England Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club
US Congress forms the Wyoming Territory from parts of the Dakota, Utah, and Idaho territories
Wyoming is a landlocked state in the Mountain West subregion of the Western United States.
Earthquake destroys the city of Arica, Chile
The 1868 Arica earthquake occurred on 13 August 1868, near Arica, then part of Peru, now part of Chile, at 21:30 UTC.
Earthquake kills 25,000 and causes $300 million of damage in Peru and Ecuador
Earthquake kills 25,000 and causes $300 million of damage in Peru and Ecuador
French astronomer Pierre Janssen discovers helium in the solar spectrum during an eclipse
Pierre Jules César Janssen (22 February 1824 – 23 December 1907), usually known as Jules Janssen, was a French astronomer who, along with English scientist Joseph Norman Lockyer, is credited with...
New York Athletic Club forms
The New York Athletic Club is a private social club and athletic club in New York state.
Race riots in New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans (commonly known as NOLA or The Big Easy among other nicknames) is a consolidated city-parish located along the Mississippi River in the U.S. state of Louisiana.
Grito de Lares proclaims Puerto Rico's independence, but it is crushed by Spain
The Revolutionary Committee of Puerto Rico (Spanish: Comité Revolucionario de Puerto Rico, CRPR) was founded on January 8, 1867, by pro-independence Puerto Rican exiles such as Segundo Ruiz Belvis,...
The Imperial Russian steam frigate Alexander Nevski shipwrecks off Jutland while carrying Grand Duke Alexei of Russia
The Imperial Russian steam frigate Alexander Nevski shipwrecks off Jutland while carrying Grand Duke Alexei of Russia
Battle of Alcolea causes Queen Isabella II of Spain to flee to France
Spain in the 19th century was a country in turmoil. Under Napoleonic Spain from 1808 to 1814, the massively destructive "Peninsular War" ensued.
Spain's Queen Isabella is deposed and flees to France
Spain's Queen Isabella is deposed and flees to France
Cornell University opens in Ithaca, New York
Cornell University is a private Ivy League research university based in Ithaca, New York, United States.
Cuba revolts for independence against Spain
The Cuban War of Independence, fought from 1895 to 1898, was the last of three liberation wars that Cuba fought against Spain, the other two being the Ten Years' War (1868–1878) and the Little War...
Constitution of Grand Duchy of Luxembourg comes into effect
The Constitution of Luxembourg (Luxembourgish: Lëtzebuerger Constitutioun/Verfassung; French: Constitution du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg; German: Luxemburgische Verfassung) is the supreme law of the...
Severe earthquake at 7:53 am, centered in Hayward, California
The 1868 Hayward earthquake occurred in the San Francisco Bay Area, California, United States on October 21.
Jacques Offenbach's opera "Genevieve de Brabant" premieres in NYC
Jacques Offenbach's opera "Genevieve de Brabant" premieres in NYC
White terrorists kill several blacks in St Bernard Parish La
White terrorists kill several blacks in St Bernard Parish La
John Menard of Louisiana is the first African American elected to US Congress
John Willis Menard (April 3, 1838 – October 8, 1893) was a federal government employee, poet, newspaper publisher and politician born in Kaskaskia, Illinois to parents who were Louisiana Creoles from...
Standard uniform approved for US postal carriers
Standard uniform approved for US postal carriers
Time zone: New Zealand officially adopts a standard time to be observed nationally
A time zone is an area which observes a uniform standard time for legal, commercial, and social purposes.
John Willis Menard from Louisiana is elected the first black US Congressman (opposition to his election means he never s
John Willis Menard from Louisiana is elected the first black US Congressman (opposition to his election means he never sits in Congress)
1st American amateur track & field meet (NYC)
1st American amateur track & field meet (NYC)
American Philological Association organized in NY
American Philological Association organized in NY
Statue of King Charles XII of Sweden is dedicated in the King's Garden in Stockholm
Statue of King Charles XII of Sweden is dedicated in the King's Garden in Stockholm
1st American bicycle college opens (NY)
1st American bicycle college opens (NY)
1st British government of Gladstone forms
William Ewart Gladstone ( GLAD-stən; 29 December 1809 – 19 May 1898) was a British statesman and Liberal politician, starting as Conservative MP for Newark and later becoming the leader of the...
Shogunate rebels found Ezo Republic in Hokkaidō
Shogunate rebels found Ezo Republic in Hokkaidō
Felix Hoffmann is born
Felix Hoffmann, German chemist, known for german chemist, was born on 1868-01-21. Felix Hoffmann (21 January 1868 – 8 February 1946) was a German chemist notable for re-synthesising diamorphine…
W.E.B. Du Bois is born
W.E.B. Du Bois, American sociologist and activist, known for american sociologist and activist, was born on 1868-02-23.
Robert A. Millikan is born
Robert A. Millikan, American experimental physicist, known for american experimental physicist, was born on 1868-03-22.
Maxim Gorky is born
Maxim Gorky, Russian soviet writer, known for russian and soviet writer, was born on 1868-03-28.
Magnus Hirschfeld is born
Magnus Hirschfeld, German sexologist, known for german sexologist, was born on 1868-05-14.
Nicholas II is born
Nicholas II is born
Fred Hovey is born
Fred Hovey is born
Marie Dressler is born
Marie Dressler, Canadian canadian-american actress, known for canadian-american actress, was born on 1868-11-09.
George Arliss is born
George Arliss, English actor, author and playwright, known for english actor, author and playwright, was born on 1868-04-10.
Karl Landsteiner is born
Karl Landsteiner, American immunologist, known for austrian immunologist, was born on 1868-06-14. Karl Landsteiner was an Austrian-American biologist, physician, and immunologist.
Constantine I is born
Constantine I is born
Hugo Eckener is born
Hugo Eckener is born
Kit Carson dies
Kit Carson, American frontiersman and guide, known for american frontiersman and guide, died on 1868-05-23.
Mongkut dies
Mongkut dies
Events
American religious leader Brigham Young weds his 53rd wife, American actress and future polygamy critic Anna Webb (24),
American religious leader Brigham Young weds his 53rd wife, American actress and future polygamy critic Anna Webb (24), in Salt Lake City, Utah
The Shogunate is abolished in Japan
The first human inhabitants of the Japanese archipelago have been traced to the Paleolithic, around 38–39,000 years ago.
Abyssinian War ends as British and Indian troops capture Magdala and Ethiopian Emperor Tewodros II commits suicide
Abyssinian War ends as British and Indian troops capture Magdala and Ethiopian Emperor Tewodros II commits suicide
US Senate fails to impeach President Andrew Johnson by one vote
The impeachment of Andrew Johnson for "high crimes and misdemeanors" was initiated by the United States House of Representatives on February 24, 1868.
"Decoration Day," later called Memorial Day, is first observed in Northern US states
Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for mourning the U.S. military personnel who died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. It is observed on the last Monday of May.
Britain's Dr. James Moore wins the first recorded bicycle race, a 2 km velocipede race at Parc de Saint-Cloud, Paris
James Moore (14 January 1849 – 17 July 1935) was an English bicycle racer. He is popularly regarded as the winner of the first official cycle race in the world in 1868 at St-Cloud, Paris, although...
Christopher Latham Sholes patents the Sholes and Glidden typewriter, the first commercially successful of its kind
A typewriter is a mechanical or electromechanical machine for typing characters. Typically, a typewriter has an array of keys, and each one causes a different single character to be produced on paper...
Louisiana and South Carolina are the last states to ratify the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution, guarant
Louisiana and South Carolina are the last states to ratify the 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution, guaranteeing civil rights
Prime Minister of Canada Wilfrid Laurier (26) weds Zoé Lafontaine (27) in Montreal, Canada
Prime Minister of Canada Wilfrid Laurier (26) weds Zoé Lafontaine (27) in Montreal, Canada
Louis Ducos du Hauron patents a process of making color photographs, in Paris, France
Louis Ducos du Hauron patents a process of making color photographs, in Paris, France
Despite bitter opposition, US President Andrew Johnson grants an unconditional pardon to all persons involved in the Sou
Despite bitter opposition, US President Andrew Johnson grants an unconditional pardon to all persons involved in the Southern rebellion (Civil War)
Meiji Restoration returns authority to Japan's emperors
Meiji Restoration returns authority to Japan's emperors
Wilkie Collins' "The Moonstone" is first serialized in "All the Year Round" owned by Charles Dickins
Wilkie Collins' "The Moonstone" is first serialized in "All the Year Round" owned by Charles Dickins
Arkansas constitutional convention meets in Little Rock
The Constitution of Arkansas is the primary organizing law for the U.S. state of Arkansas delineating the duties, powers, structures, and functions of the state government.
Last convict ship the Hougoumont arrives in Fremantle, ending 80 years of penal transportation to Australia [1]
Between 1788 and 1868 the British penal system transported about 162,000 convicts from Great Britain and Ireland to various penal colonies in Australia. The British Government began transporting...
North Carolina constitutional convention meets in Raleigh
North Carolina ( KARR-ə-LY-nə) is a state in the Southeastern and South Atlantic regions of the United States.
Refrigerator car patented by William Davis, a fish dealer in Detroit
Refrigerator car patented by William Davis, a fish dealer in Detroit
Florida constitutional convention meets in Tallahassee
Florida participated in the American Civil War as a member of the Confederate States of America. It had been admitted to the United States as a slave state in 1845.
Conservatives & military seize Convention Hall in Florida
Conservatives & military seize Convention Hall in Florida
Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks organizes in New York City
Benevolent & Protective Order of Elks organizes in New York City
Mardi Gras in Mobile, Alabama, is the first US parade with floats
Mardi Gras in Mobile, Alabama, is the first US parade with floats
University of Illinois opens
The University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC, U. of I., Illinois, or University of Illinois) is a public land-grant research university in the Champaign–Urbana metropolitan area, Illinois,...
Arrigo Boito's opera "Mefistofele" premieres in Milan
Mefistofele is an Italian opera in a prologue and five acts, later reduced to four acts and an epilogue, the only completed opera with music by the Italian composer-librettist Arrigo Boito (there are...
The opera "Hamlet" by Ambroise Thomas premieres in Paris
Hamlet is a grand opera in five acts of 1868 by the French composer Ambroise Thomas, with a libretto by Michel Carré and Jules Barbier based on a French adaptation by Alexandre Dumas, père, and Paul...
Great Britain annexes Basutoland in Africa (later renamed the Kingdom of Lesotho)
Basutoland was a British Crown colony that existed from 1884 to 1966 in present-day Lesotho, bordered with the Cape Colony, Natal Colony and Orange River Colony until 1910 and completely surrounded...
Postage stamp canceling machine patent issued
Postage stamp canceling machine patent issued
1st US professional women's club, Sorosis, forms in NYC
1st US professional women's club, Sorosis, forms in NYC
University of California founded in Oakland, California
Oakland is a city in the East Bay region of the San Francisco Bay Area in the U.S. state of California.
Metropolitan Life Insurance Co forms
Metropolitan Life Insurance Co forms
Lake Ontario Shore Railroad Company is organized in Oswego, New York
The New York, Ontario and Western Railway, commonly known as the O&W or NYO&W, was a regional railroad founded in 1868.
Chinese Embassy arrives aboard steamship China
Chinese Embassy arrives aboard steamship China
Hampton Institute opens
Hampton University is a private, historically black, research university in Hampton, Virginia, United States.
Hawaiian surfs on the highest wave ever - a 50-foot tidal wave
Hawaiian surfs on the highest wave ever - a 50-foot tidal wave
Thomas D'Arcy McGee, one of the Canadian Fathers of Confederation is assassinated by the Irish, in one of the few Canadi
Thomas D'Arcy McGee, one of the Canadian Fathers of Confederation is assassinated by the Irish, in one of the few Canadian political assassinations, and only federal politician
British defeat King of Abyssinia at Magdala
The Battle of Magdala was the conclusion of the British Expedition to Abyssinia fought in April 1868 between British and Abyssinian forces at Magdala, 390 miles (630 km) from the Red Sea coast.
SC voters approved constitution, 70,758 to 27,228
SC voters approved constitution, 70,758 to 27,228
Louisiana voters approve new constitution
The Constitution of the State of South Carolina is the governing document of the U.S. state of South Carolina. It describes the structure and function of the state's government.
San Francisco Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals forms in San Francisco, California
San Francisco Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals forms in San Francisco, California
World's largest book, the "Kuthodaw Inscription Shrines," recording the whole of Buddhist scriptures on 729 marble table
World's largest book, the "Kuthodaw Inscription Shrines," recording the whole of Buddhist scriptures on 729 marble tablets, is completed and opened to the public in Mandalay, Burma
Japanese Boshin War: end of the Battle of Utsunomiya Castle, former Shogunate forces withdraw northward to Aizu by way o
Japanese Boshin War: end of the Battle of Utsunomiya Castle, former Shogunate forces withdraw northward to Aizu by way of Nikkō
Dutch government of Zuylen van Nijevelt falls
Dutch government of Zuylen van Nijevelt falls
Republican National Convention, meets in Chicago, nominates Grant
The 1880 Republican National Convention was held from June 2 to June 8, 1880, at the Interstate Exposition Building in Chicago, Illinois, United States. Delegates nominated James A.
Train robbery at Marshfield, Indiana by the Reno Brothers Gang, who make off with $98,000
Train robbery at Marshfield, Indiana by the Reno Brothers Gang, who make off with $98,000
Australian Aboriginal Cricket tour of England begins v Surrey Gentlemen
In May to October 1868, a cricket team composed of Aboriginal Australians toured England, becoming the first organised group of Australian sportspeople to travel overseas.
US President Andrew Johnson is acquitted by the Senate by one vote during his impeachment trial
The impeachment of Andrew Johnson for "high crimes and misdemeanors" was initiated by the United States House of Representatives on February 24, 1868.
Michael Obrenovich III, Prince of Serbia, is assassinated in Belgrade
Mihailo Obrenović III (Serbian Cyrillic: Михаило Обреновић, romanized: Mihailo Obrenović; 16 September 1823 – 10 June 1868) was the ruling Prince of Serbia from 1839 to 1842 and again from 1860 to...
Texas constitutional convention meets in Austin
The Constitution of the State of Texas is the document that establishes the structure and function of the government of the U.S. state of Texas and enumerates the basic rights of its citizens.
Van Bosse/Fock government begins
The Van Bosse–Fock cabinet was the cabinet of the Netherlands from 4 June 1868 until 4 January 1871. The cabinet was formed by Independent Liberals (Ind. Lib.).
First meeting of the Board of Regents of the University of California
The Regents of the University of California (also referred to as the Board of Regents to distinguish the board from the corporation it governs of the same name) is the governing board of the...
Oscar Dunn becomes first African American to be elected a Lieutenant Governor, of Louisiana
Oscar Dunn becomes first African American to be elected a Lieutenant Governor, of Louisiana
Major General E. R. S. Canby removes mayor of Columbia, South Carolina
Major General E. R. S. Canby removes mayor of Columbia, South Carolina
Wagner's opera "Meistersinger von Nuernberg" premieres in Munich
Die Meistersinger von Nürnberg, WWV 96, is a music drama, or opera, in three acts, by Richard Wagner.
Arkansas re-joins the US
Arkansas (AR-kən-saw) is a landlocked state in the West South Central region of the Southern United States.
Florida, Alabama, Louisiana, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina readmitted to US, after the Civil War
Florida participated in the American Civil War as a member of the Confederate States of America. It had been admitted to the United States as a slave state in 1845.
Battle at Ueno, Japan: last Tokugawa armies defeated
Tokugawa Ieyasu was a Japanese samurai, daimyo, and the founder and first shogun of the Tokugawa shogunate of Japan, which ruled from 1603 until the Meiji Restoration in 1868.
Surrey wicket-keeper Ted Pooley completes a then-1st class cricket record 12 dismissals (8 caught, 4 stumped) in a Count
Surrey wicket-keeper Ted Pooley completes a then-1st class cricket record 12 dismissals (8 caught, 4 stumped) in a County match against Sussex at The Oval
Francis L. Cardozo becomes the first African American cabinet member in South Carolina as Secretary of State
Francis L. Cardozo becomes the first African American cabinet member in South Carolina as Secretary of State
Oscar J. Dunn, former slave, installed as Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana
Oscar J. Dunn, former slave, installed as Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana
Alvin J. Fellows of New Haven, Connecticut, patents the tape measure
Alvin J. Fellows of New Haven, Connecticut, patents the tape measure
First use of tax stamps on cigarettes
First use of tax stamps on cigarettes
All England Lawn Tennis Club is founded as the All England Croquet Club; in 1877, the name changes to the All England Cr
All England Lawn Tennis Club is founded as the All England Croquet Club; in 1877, the name changes to the All England Croquet and Lawn Tennis Club
US Congress forms the Wyoming Territory from parts of the Dakota, Utah, and Idaho territories
Wyoming is a landlocked state in the Mountain West subregion of the Western United States.
Earthquake destroys the city of Arica, Chile
The 1868 Arica earthquake occurred on 13 August 1868, near Arica, then part of Peru, now part of Chile, at 21:30 UTC.
Earthquake kills 25,000 and causes $300 million of damage in Peru and Ecuador
Earthquake kills 25,000 and causes $300 million of damage in Peru and Ecuador
French astronomer Pierre Janssen discovers helium in the solar spectrum during an eclipse
Pierre Jules César Janssen (22 February 1824 – 23 December 1907), usually known as Jules Janssen, was a French astronomer who, along with English scientist Joseph Norman Lockyer, is credited with...
New York Athletic Club forms
The New York Athletic Club is a private social club and athletic club in New York state.
Race riots in New Orleans, Louisiana
New Orleans (commonly known as NOLA or The Big Easy among other nicknames) is a consolidated city-parish located along the Mississippi River in the U.S. state of Louisiana.
Grito de Lares proclaims Puerto Rico's independence, but it is crushed by Spain
The Revolutionary Committee of Puerto Rico (Spanish: Comité Revolucionario de Puerto Rico, CRPR) was founded on January 8, 1867, by pro-independence Puerto Rican exiles such as Segundo Ruiz Belvis,...
The Imperial Russian steam frigate Alexander Nevski shipwrecks off Jutland while carrying Grand Duke Alexei of Russia
The Imperial Russian steam frigate Alexander Nevski shipwrecks off Jutland while carrying Grand Duke Alexei of Russia
Battle of Alcolea causes Queen Isabella II of Spain to flee to France
Spain in the 19th century was a country in turmoil. Under Napoleonic Spain from 1808 to 1814, the massively destructive "Peninsular War" ensued.
Spain's Queen Isabella is deposed and flees to France
Spain's Queen Isabella is deposed and flees to France
Cornell University opens in Ithaca, New York
Cornell University is a private Ivy League research university based in Ithaca, New York, United States.
Cuba revolts for independence against Spain
The Cuban War of Independence, fought from 1895 to 1898, was the last of three liberation wars that Cuba fought against Spain, the other two being the Ten Years' War (1868–1878) and the Little War...
Constitution of Grand Duchy of Luxembourg comes into effect
The Constitution of Luxembourg (Luxembourgish: Lëtzebuerger Constitutioun/Verfassung; French: Constitution du Grand-Duché de Luxembourg; German: Luxemburgische Verfassung) is the supreme law of the...
Severe earthquake at 7:53 am, centered in Hayward, California
The 1868 Hayward earthquake occurred in the San Francisco Bay Area, California, United States on October 21.
Jacques Offenbach's opera "Genevieve de Brabant" premieres in NYC
Jacques Offenbach's opera "Genevieve de Brabant" premieres in NYC
White terrorists kill several blacks in St Bernard Parish La
White terrorists kill several blacks in St Bernard Parish La
John Menard of Louisiana is the first African American elected to US Congress
John Willis Menard (April 3, 1838 – October 8, 1893) was a federal government employee, poet, newspaper publisher and politician born in Kaskaskia, Illinois to parents who were Louisiana Creoles from...
Standard uniform approved for US postal carriers
Standard uniform approved for US postal carriers
Time zone: New Zealand officially adopts a standard time to be observed nationally
A time zone is an area which observes a uniform standard time for legal, commercial, and social purposes.
John Willis Menard from Louisiana is elected the first black US Congressman (opposition to his election means he never s
John Willis Menard from Louisiana is elected the first black US Congressman (opposition to his election means he never sits in Congress)
1st American amateur track & field meet (NYC)
1st American amateur track & field meet (NYC)
American Philological Association organized in NY
American Philological Association organized in NY
Statue of King Charles XII of Sweden is dedicated in the King's Garden in Stockholm
Statue of King Charles XII of Sweden is dedicated in the King's Garden in Stockholm
1st American bicycle college opens (NY)
1st American bicycle college opens (NY)
1st British government of Gladstone forms
William Ewart Gladstone ( GLAD-stən; 29 December 1809 – 19 May 1898) was a British statesman and Liberal politician, starting as Conservative MP for Newark and later becoming the leader of the...
Shogunate rebels found Ezo Republic in Hokkaidō
Shogunate rebels found Ezo Republic in Hokkaidō
Famous Births
birth
Felix Hoffmann is born
Felix Hoffmann, German chemist, known for german chemist, was born on 1868-01-21. Felix Hoffmann (21 January 1868 – 8 February 1946) was a German chemist notable for re-synthesising diamorphine…
birth
W.E.B. Du Bois is born
W.E.B. Du Bois, American sociologist and activist, known for american sociologist and activist, was born on 1868-02-23.
birth
Robert A. Millikan is born
Robert A. Millikan, American experimental physicist, known for american experimental physicist, was born on 1868-03-22.
birth
Maxim Gorky is born
Maxim Gorky, Russian soviet writer, known for russian and soviet writer, was born on 1868-03-28.
birth
Magnus Hirschfeld is born
Magnus Hirschfeld, German sexologist, known for german sexologist, was born on 1868-05-14.
birth
Nicholas II is born
Nicholas II is born
birth
Fred Hovey is born
Fred Hovey is born
birth
Marie Dressler is born
Marie Dressler, Canadian canadian-american actress, known for canadian-american actress, was born on 1868-11-09.
birth
George Arliss is born
George Arliss, English actor, author and playwright, known for english actor, author and playwright, was born on 1868-04-10.
birth
Karl Landsteiner is born
Karl Landsteiner, American immunologist, known for austrian immunologist, was born on 1868-06-14. Karl Landsteiner was an Austrian-American biologist, physician, and immunologist.
birth
Constantine I is born
Constantine I is born
birth
Hugo Eckener is born
Hugo Eckener is born
Notable Deaths
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened in 1868?
- In 1868, there were 88 significant historical events. Notable events include US House of Representatives votes 126 to 47 to impeach President Andrew Johnson, American religious leader Brigham Young weds his 53rd wife, American actress and future polygamy critic Anna Webb (24), , The Shogunate is abolished in Japan.
- Who was born in 1868?
- 12 notable figures were born in 1868, including Felix Hoffmann is born, W.E.B. Du Bois is born, Robert A. Millikan is born.
- Who died in 1868?
- 2 notable figures passed away in 1868, including Kit Carson dies, Mongkut dies.