Japan adopts the Gregorian calendar
Japanese calendar types have included a range of official and unofficial systems. At present, Japan uses the Gregorian calendar together with year designations stating the year of the reign of the…
Year in History
Explore the major historical events, famous births, and notable deaths that occurred in the year 1873. This year saw 52 significant events. 5 notable figures were born. 2 notable figures passed away.
19th Century1870s
1873 Timeline
Japan adopts the Gregorian calendar
Japanese calendar types have included a range of official and unofficial systems. At present, Japan uses the Gregorian calendar together with year designations stating the year of the reign of the…
Modoc warriors defeat the United States Army in the First Battle of the Stronghold, part of the Modoc War
The Modoc War, or the Modoc Campaign (also known as the Lava Beds War), was an armed conflict between the Native American Modoc people and the United States Army in northeastern California and…
British Naval Officer John Moresby is the first European to discover Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, claims it for the U
British Naval Officer John Moresby is the first European to discover Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, claims it for the United Kingdom
1st Preakness Stakes: G. Barbee aboard Survivor wins in 2:43 at Pimlico Race Course, Baltimore, Maryland
1st Preakness Stakes: G. Barbee aboard Survivor wins in 2:43 at Pimlico Race Course, Baltimore, Maryland
Heinrich Schliemann discovers "Priam's Treasure" a cache of gold and other objects in Hisarlik (Troy) in Anatolia
Priam's Treasure is a cache of gold and other artifacts discovered by classical archaeologists Frank Calvert and Heinrich Schliemann at Hisarlık on the northwestern coast of modern Turkey.
Sultan Barghash bin Said, under British pressure, closes the infamous slave market of Zanzibar in present-day Tanzania
Sultan Barghash bin Said, under British pressure, closes the infamous slave market of Zanzibar in present-day Tanzania
The first free kindergarten in the United States is started by Susan Blow in Carondelet, a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri
The first free kindergarten in the United States is started by Susan Blow in Carondelet, a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri
Government bond agent Jay Cooke & Co collapses, causing panic on Wall Street and the start of the Panic of 1873 and the
Government bond agent Jay Cooke & Co collapses, causing panic on Wall Street and the start of the Panic of 1873 and the Long Depression
Frontiersman and gunfighter Wild Bill Hickok supposedly marries Calamity Jane according to the latter's daughter (disput
Frontiersman and gunfighter Wild Bill Hickok supposedly marries Calamity Jane according to the latter's daughter (disputed)
Czech composer Antonín Dvořák (32) weds Anna Čermáková (19) at St. Peter's Catholic church in Prague, until his death in
Czech composer Antonín Dvořák (32) weds Anna Čermáková (19) at St. Peter's Catholic church in Prague, until his death in 1904.
Pope Pius IX encyclical "On the Church in Armenia"
Pope Pius IX encyclical "On the Church in Armenia"
1st livestock market newspaper published, Drover's Journal, Chicago
1st livestock market newspaper published, Drover's Journal, Chicago
P. B. S. Pinchback relinquishes office of Louisiana Governor
P. B. S. Pinchback relinquishes office of Louisiana Governor
British SS Northfleet sinks at Dungeness, England, 300 die
British SS Northfleet sinks at Dungeness, England, 300 die
Spanish Cortes fires king Amadeus I
Spanish Cortes fires king Amadeus I
US Congress passes the Coinage Act of 1873, abolishing bimetallism and placing the country on the gold standard
The Coinage Act of 1873 or Mint Act of 1873 was a general revision of laws relating to the Mint of the United States.
Dutch socialist Samuel van Wooden demands law against child labor
Dutch socialist Samuel van Wooden demands law against child labor
E. Remington and Sons in Ilion, New York begins production of the first practical typewriter
The Sholes and Glidden typewriter (also known as the Remington No. 1) was the first commercially successful typewriter.
US Congress & government retroactively raise own salaries
US Congress & government retroactively raise own salaries
Slavery is abolished in Puerto Rico, celebrated as Emancipation Day
Emancipation Day is observed in many former European colonies in the West Indies and parts of the United States on various dates to commemorate the emancipation of slaves of African descent. In much...
British White Star steamship Atlantic sinks off Nova Scotia, 547 die
British White Star steamship Atlantic sinks off Nova Scotia, 547 die
Colfax Massacre in Grant Parish, Louisiana (60 blacks killed)
The Colfax massacre, sometimes referred to as the Colfax riot, occurred on Easter Sunday, April 13, 1873, in Colfax, Louisiana, the parish seat of Grant Parish.
Emperor Franz Joseph opens 5th World's Exposition in Vienna
Emperor Franz Joseph opens 5th World's Exposition in Vienna
US marines attack Panama
US marines attack Panama
Der Krach: Vienna stock market crash heralds the Long Depression
Der Krach: Vienna stock market crash heralds the Long Depression
Construction begins on Clay St (San Francisco) for world's 1st cable railroad
San Francisco, officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the fourth-most populous city in California and the 17th-most populous in the United States, with a population of 827,526 in 2024.
1st contract workers of British-Indies Co arrive in Suriname
Suriname, officially the Republic of Suriname, is a country in northern South America, also considered as part of the Caribbean and the West Indies.
Alexandra Palace in London burns down, after being open for only 16 days
Alexandra Palace is an entertainment and sports venue in north London, situated between Wood Green and Muswell Hill in the London Borough of Haringey.
Aquarium opens in Woodward Gardens, San Francisco
Aquarium opens in Woodward Gardens, San Francisco
First trial run of San Francisco cable car in Clay Street between Kearny and Jones
First trial run of San Francisco cable car in Clay Street between Kearny and Jones
Field & Stream begins publishing
Field & Stream begins publishing
First ascent of Mount Whitney, California (14,494 ft; 4,421 m)
Mount Whitney (Paiute: Tumanguya) is a mountain in the Sierra Nevada mountain range of California, and the highest point in the contiguous United States, with an elevation of 14,505 feet (4,421 m).
Albert Bridge crossing the River Thames in London opens
Albert Bridge is a road bridge over the River Thames connecting Chelsea on the north bank to Battersea on the south.
Austrian explorers Julius von Payer and Karl Weyprecht discover the archipelago of Franz Josef Land in the Arctic Ocean
Franz Josef Land is a Russian archipelago in the Arctic Ocean. It is inhabited only by military personnel, and has never had a permanent population.
Cetshwayo ascends to the throne as king of the Zulu nation following the death of his father Mpande.
Cetshwayo kaMpande was the king of the Zulu Kingdom from 1873 to 1884 and its Commander in Chief during the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879. His name has been rendered as Cetywayo or Cetshwayo.
Regular cable car service begins on Clay Street, San Francisco
The San Francisco cable car system is the world's last manually operated cable car system and an icon of the city of San Francisco.
Last German troops leave France
Last German troops leave France
German troops leave France
German troops leave France
Nineteen students attend the opening class at Ohio State University
Nineteen students attend the opening class at Ohio State University
Panic sweeps the New York Stock Exchange due to a railroad bond default and bank failure, leading New York to shut banks
Panic sweeps the New York Stock Exchange due to a railroad bond default and bank failure, leading New York to shut banks for 10 days because of a bank scandal
Tom Allen defeats Mike McCale for the Heavyweight Boxing title
Tom Allen defeats Mike McCale for the Heavyweight Boxing title
Modoc tribe Chief Kintpuash (also known as Captain Jack), the only Native American leader ever charged with war crimes,
Modoc tribe Chief Kintpuash (also known as Captain Jack), the only Native American leader ever charged with war crimes, is hanged by the US Army at Fort Klamath, Oregon
Toronto Argonauts Football Club (CFL) forms as Argonaut Rowing Club rugby-football squad; oldest existing pro sports tea
Toronto Argonauts Football Club (CFL) forms as Argonaut Rowing Club rugby-football squad; oldest existing pro sports team in North America still using original name
First women's prison run by women opens at Indiana Reformatory Institution
First women's prison run by women opens at Indiana Reformatory Institution
Toronto Argonaut Football Club 1st game losing to U of Toronto
The city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, has a long history of sport. It is home to a number teams in North American major professional leagues, as well as clubs such as the Granite Club (est.
Columbia, Princeton, Rutgers, and Yale set rules for collegiate football
Columbia, Princeton, Rutgers, and Yale set rules for collegiate football
Dentist John Beers of San Francisco patents the gold crown
Dentist John Beers of San Francisco patents the gold crown
Bay District Race Track in San Francisco opens
San Francisco, officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the fourth-most populous city in California and the 17th-most populous in the United States, with a population of 867,567 in 2024.
Rival cities of Buda & Pest unite to form the capital of Hungary
Rival cities of Buda & Pest unite to form the capital of Hungary
James Reed and two accomplices rob the Watt Grayson family of $30,000 in the Choctaw Nation
James Reed and two accomplices rob the Watt Grayson family of $30,000 in the Choctaw Nation
1st international football game in US: Yale 2, Eton (England) 1 in New Haven, Connecticut
1st international football game in US: Yale 2, Eton (England) 1 in New Haven, Connecticut
American Metrological Society forms (NYC) weights, measures & money
American Metrological Society forms (NYC) weights, measures & money
Colette is born
Colette, French novelist, known for french novelist, was born on 1873-01-28. Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette, known mononymously as Colette or as Colette Willy, was a French author and woman of letters.
Enrico Caruso is born
Enrico Caruso, Italian musician, known for italian opera tenor, was born on 1873-02-25.
Sergei Rachmaninoff is born
Sergei Rachmaninoff musician, known for russian composer and pianist, was born on 1873-03-20. Sergei Vasilyevich Rachmaninoff (1 April [O.S.
Teddy Flack is born
Teddy Flack, Australian athlete, known for australian athlete and tennis player, was born on 1873-11-05.
W. C. Handy is born
W. C. Handy, American musician, known for american blues composer and musician, was born on 1873-11-16.
Napoleon III dies
Napoleon III dies
John Stuart Mill dies
John Stuart Mill, English philosopher and author, known for english philosopher and author, died on 1873-05-08.
Events
Modoc warriors defeat the United States Army in the First Battle of the Stronghold, part of the Modoc War
The Modoc War, or the Modoc Campaign (also known as the Lava Beds War), was an armed conflict between the Native American Modoc people and the United States Army in northeastern California and…
British Naval Officer John Moresby is the first European to discover Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, claims it for the U
British Naval Officer John Moresby is the first European to discover Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, claims it for the United Kingdom
1st Preakness Stakes: G. Barbee aboard Survivor wins in 2:43 at Pimlico Race Course, Baltimore, Maryland
1st Preakness Stakes: G. Barbee aboard Survivor wins in 2:43 at Pimlico Race Course, Baltimore, Maryland
Heinrich Schliemann discovers "Priam's Treasure" a cache of gold and other objects in Hisarlik (Troy) in Anatolia
Priam's Treasure is a cache of gold and other artifacts discovered by classical archaeologists Frank Calvert and Heinrich Schliemann at Hisarlık on the northwestern coast of modern Turkey.
Sultan Barghash bin Said, under British pressure, closes the infamous slave market of Zanzibar in present-day Tanzania
Sultan Barghash bin Said, under British pressure, closes the infamous slave market of Zanzibar in present-day Tanzania
The first free kindergarten in the United States is started by Susan Blow in Carondelet, a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri
The first free kindergarten in the United States is started by Susan Blow in Carondelet, a suburb of St. Louis, Missouri
Government bond agent Jay Cooke & Co collapses, causing panic on Wall Street and the start of the Panic of 1873 and the
Government bond agent Jay Cooke & Co collapses, causing panic on Wall Street and the start of the Panic of 1873 and the Long Depression
Frontiersman and gunfighter Wild Bill Hickok supposedly marries Calamity Jane according to the latter's daughter (disput
Frontiersman and gunfighter Wild Bill Hickok supposedly marries Calamity Jane according to the latter's daughter (disputed)
Czech composer Antonín Dvořák (32) weds Anna Čermáková (19) at St. Peter's Catholic church in Prague, until his death in
Czech composer Antonín Dvořák (32) weds Anna Čermáková (19) at St. Peter's Catholic church in Prague, until his death in 1904.
Pope Pius IX encyclical "On the Church in Armenia"
Pope Pius IX encyclical "On the Church in Armenia"
1st livestock market newspaper published, Drover's Journal, Chicago
1st livestock market newspaper published, Drover's Journal, Chicago
P. B. S. Pinchback relinquishes office of Louisiana Governor
P. B. S. Pinchback relinquishes office of Louisiana Governor
British SS Northfleet sinks at Dungeness, England, 300 die
British SS Northfleet sinks at Dungeness, England, 300 die
Spanish Cortes fires king Amadeus I
Spanish Cortes fires king Amadeus I
US Congress passes the Coinage Act of 1873, abolishing bimetallism and placing the country on the gold standard
The Coinage Act of 1873 or Mint Act of 1873 was a general revision of laws relating to the Mint of the United States.
Dutch socialist Samuel van Wooden demands law against child labor
Dutch socialist Samuel van Wooden demands law against child labor
E. Remington and Sons in Ilion, New York begins production of the first practical typewriter
The Sholes and Glidden typewriter (also known as the Remington No. 1) was the first commercially successful typewriter.
US Congress & government retroactively raise own salaries
US Congress & government retroactively raise own salaries
Slavery is abolished in Puerto Rico, celebrated as Emancipation Day
Emancipation Day is observed in many former European colonies in the West Indies and parts of the United States on various dates to commemorate the emancipation of slaves of African descent. In much...
British White Star steamship Atlantic sinks off Nova Scotia, 547 die
British White Star steamship Atlantic sinks off Nova Scotia, 547 die
Colfax Massacre in Grant Parish, Louisiana (60 blacks killed)
The Colfax massacre, sometimes referred to as the Colfax riot, occurred on Easter Sunday, April 13, 1873, in Colfax, Louisiana, the parish seat of Grant Parish.
Emperor Franz Joseph opens 5th World's Exposition in Vienna
Emperor Franz Joseph opens 5th World's Exposition in Vienna
US marines attack Panama
US marines attack Panama
Der Krach: Vienna stock market crash heralds the Long Depression
Der Krach: Vienna stock market crash heralds the Long Depression
Construction begins on Clay St (San Francisco) for world's 1st cable railroad
San Francisco, officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the fourth-most populous city in California and the 17th-most populous in the United States, with a population of 827,526 in 2024.
1st contract workers of British-Indies Co arrive in Suriname
Suriname, officially the Republic of Suriname, is a country in northern South America, also considered as part of the Caribbean and the West Indies.
Alexandra Palace in London burns down, after being open for only 16 days
Alexandra Palace is an entertainment and sports venue in north London, situated between Wood Green and Muswell Hill in the London Borough of Haringey.
Aquarium opens in Woodward Gardens, San Francisco
Aquarium opens in Woodward Gardens, San Francisco
First trial run of San Francisco cable car in Clay Street between Kearny and Jones
First trial run of San Francisco cable car in Clay Street between Kearny and Jones
Field & Stream begins publishing
Field & Stream begins publishing
First ascent of Mount Whitney, California (14,494 ft; 4,421 m)
Mount Whitney (Paiute: Tumanguya) is a mountain in the Sierra Nevada mountain range of California, and the highest point in the contiguous United States, with an elevation of 14,505 feet (4,421 m).
Albert Bridge crossing the River Thames in London opens
Albert Bridge is a road bridge over the River Thames connecting Chelsea on the north bank to Battersea on the south.
Austrian explorers Julius von Payer and Karl Weyprecht discover the archipelago of Franz Josef Land in the Arctic Ocean
Franz Josef Land is a Russian archipelago in the Arctic Ocean. It is inhabited only by military personnel, and has never had a permanent population.
Cetshwayo ascends to the throne as king of the Zulu nation following the death of his father Mpande.
Cetshwayo kaMpande was the king of the Zulu Kingdom from 1873 to 1884 and its Commander in Chief during the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879. His name has been rendered as Cetywayo or Cetshwayo.
Regular cable car service begins on Clay Street, San Francisco
The San Francisco cable car system is the world's last manually operated cable car system and an icon of the city of San Francisco.
Last German troops leave France
Last German troops leave France
German troops leave France
German troops leave France
Nineteen students attend the opening class at Ohio State University
Nineteen students attend the opening class at Ohio State University
Panic sweeps the New York Stock Exchange due to a railroad bond default and bank failure, leading New York to shut banks
Panic sweeps the New York Stock Exchange due to a railroad bond default and bank failure, leading New York to shut banks for 10 days because of a bank scandal
Tom Allen defeats Mike McCale for the Heavyweight Boxing title
Tom Allen defeats Mike McCale for the Heavyweight Boxing title
Modoc tribe Chief Kintpuash (also known as Captain Jack), the only Native American leader ever charged with war crimes,
Modoc tribe Chief Kintpuash (also known as Captain Jack), the only Native American leader ever charged with war crimes, is hanged by the US Army at Fort Klamath, Oregon
Toronto Argonauts Football Club (CFL) forms as Argonaut Rowing Club rugby-football squad; oldest existing pro sports tea
Toronto Argonauts Football Club (CFL) forms as Argonaut Rowing Club rugby-football squad; oldest existing pro sports team in North America still using original name
First women's prison run by women opens at Indiana Reformatory Institution
First women's prison run by women opens at Indiana Reformatory Institution
Toronto Argonaut Football Club 1st game losing to U of Toronto
The city of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, has a long history of sport. It is home to a number teams in North American major professional leagues, as well as clubs such as the Granite Club (est.
Columbia, Princeton, Rutgers, and Yale set rules for collegiate football
Columbia, Princeton, Rutgers, and Yale set rules for collegiate football
Dentist John Beers of San Francisco patents the gold crown
Dentist John Beers of San Francisco patents the gold crown
Bay District Race Track in San Francisco opens
San Francisco, officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the fourth-most populous city in California and the 17th-most populous in the United States, with a population of 867,567 in 2024.
Rival cities of Buda & Pest unite to form the capital of Hungary
Rival cities of Buda & Pest unite to form the capital of Hungary
James Reed and two accomplices rob the Watt Grayson family of $30,000 in the Choctaw Nation
James Reed and two accomplices rob the Watt Grayson family of $30,000 in the Choctaw Nation
1st international football game in US: Yale 2, Eton (England) 1 in New Haven, Connecticut
1st international football game in US: Yale 2, Eton (England) 1 in New Haven, Connecticut
American Metrological Society forms (NYC) weights, measures & money
American Metrological Society forms (NYC) weights, measures & money
Famous Births
birth
Colette is born
Colette, French novelist, known for french novelist, was born on 1873-01-28. Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette, known mononymously as Colette or as Colette Willy, was a French author and woman of letters.
birth
Enrico Caruso is born
Enrico Caruso, Italian musician, known for italian opera tenor, was born on 1873-02-25.
birth
Sergei Rachmaninoff is born
Sergei Rachmaninoff musician, known for russian composer and pianist, was born on 1873-03-20. Sergei Vasilyevich Rachmaninoff (1 April [O.S.
birth
Teddy Flack is born
Teddy Flack, Australian athlete, known for australian athlete and tennis player, was born on 1873-11-05.
birth
W. C. Handy is born
W. C. Handy, American musician, known for american blues composer and musician, was born on 1873-11-16.
Notable Deaths
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened in 1873?
- In 1873, there were 52 significant historical events. Notable events include Japan adopts the Gregorian calendar, Modoc warriors defeat the United States Army in the First Battle of the Stronghold, part of the Modoc War, British Naval Officer John Moresby is the first European to discover Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, claims it for the U.
- Who was born in 1873?
- 5 notable figures were born in 1873, including Colette is born, Enrico Caruso is born, Sergei Rachmaninoff is born.
- Who died in 1873?
- 2 notable figures passed away in 1873, including Napoleon III dies, John Stuart Mill dies.