Droz Heads Confederation
Serves as Switzerland's federal president during 1881.
Historical events in 1881
254 historical records
January 188114 historical events
President of Switzerland
Begins a one-year term as President of the Swiss Confederation.
Swiss Presidency
Begins his term as President of the Swiss Confederation.
Battle of Laings Nek
Fails to break through Boer positions at Laings Nek.
British Defeat at Laing's Nek
British forces suffer a serious reverse while attempting to enter Transvaal.
Laing's Nek Assault
Leads an unsuccessful assault on Boer positions at Laing's Nek.
Battle of Laings Nek
Joubert leads a Boer force which inflicts serious losses under a force led by Colley
Battle of Laings Nek
Defeats Colley's attempt to enter the Transvaal.
Boer Victory at Laing's Nek
His forces block the British advance into the Transvaal.
Defence of Laing's Nek
Directs Boer resistance to Colley's attack at Laing's Nek.
Billroth Gastric Surgery
The operation becomes a landmark in abdominal surgery.
First Successful Gastrectomy
Performs the first successful partial gastrectomy for stomach cancer.
First Successful Gastrectomy
Performs the first successful removal of part of a cancerous stomach.
Stomach Cancer Surgery
Establishes a landmark operation in abdominal and gastrointestinal surgery.
February 188122 historical events
Federation Francaise de Cyclisme
The Union Velocipedique Francaise (UVF), predecessor of the FFC, is founded in the Cafe Le Marengo by delegates of ten cycling clubs who decide to create a national championship race of 10 km. The first president is Parisian Paul Devilliers
Battle of Schuinshoogte
Smit leads a Boer force which inflicts serious losses under a force led by Colley
Battle of Ingogo
Fights Boer forces at Schuinshoogte during another attempted advance.
Battle of Schuinshoogte
Suffers another reverse against Boer marksmen.
British Reverse at Schuinshoogte
The engagement leaves the British column with heavy casualties.
Battle of Schuinshoogte
Smit leads a Boer force which inflicts serious losses under a force led by Colley
Battle of Ingogo
Leads Boer fighters against Colley's force at Schuinshoogte.
Battle of Schuinshoogte
Inflicts heavy casualties on Colley's force.
Boer Success at Schuinshoogte
Boer marksmanship inflicts severe losses on the British.
Prime Minister of Spain
Begins a Liberal government under the restored Bourbon monarchy.
Sagasta Government Begins
Becomes Prime Minister of Spain.
Prime Minister of Spain
Appointed Prime Minister of Spain
Canadian Pacific Railway
Promotes railway planning as the Canadian Pacific Railway contract is approved.
Aleksey Rykov Born
The future Soviet government leader is born in the Russian Empire.
Birth of Aleksey Rykov
Aleksey Rykov is born in 1881.
Battle of Majuba
Colley is killed as the Boer victory at Majuba secures Transvaal autonomy.
Battle of Majuba Hill
Is killed during the Boer victory at Majuba.
Death of George Pomeroy Colley
His death ends his command during the First Boer War.
Majuba Hill Defeat
Is killed during the disastrous British defeat at Majuba Hill.
Battle of Majuba Hill
Leads Boer fighters in the decisive Majuba victory.
Boer Assault on Majuba
The victory places strong pressure on Britain to negotiate.
Majuba Hill Victory
Leads Boer fighters in the decisive assault on Majuba Hill.
March 188133 historical events
Articles of Confederarion
All the US states ratify the Articles of Confederarion
Garfield Inauguration
Is inaugurated as the twentieth President of the United States.
Twentieth President Takes Office
Begins his presidency after winning the 1880 election.
Arthur Becomes Vice President
Begins the vice presidency that ends with Garfield's death.
Vice Presidential Inauguration
Takes office as Vice President under President Garfield.
Armistice
Signs the armistice ending the main First Boer War fighting.
Armistice
Agrees an armistice with Joubert after Majuba.
First Boer War Armistice
Agrees an armistice with Boer commander Piet Joubert.
O'Neill's Cottage Armistice
The agreement halts the principal fighting after Majuba.
Armistice
Signs the armistice ending the main First Boer War fighting.
Armistice with Evelyn Wood
Major combat ends while political negotiations continue.
Armistice
Signs the armistice ending major fighting.
First Boer War Armistice
Signs an armistice with British commander Evelyn Wood.
Letter to Vera Zasulich
Writes to Vera Zasulich discussing the Russian rural commune and possible paths of social development.
Assassination of Alexander II
Members of People's Will attack Alexander II in Saint Petersburg; a second bomb mortally wounds him.
Death of Alexander II
Dies in Saint Petersburg after being mortally wounded in a People's Will bomb attack.
Assassination of Alexander II
Is fatally wounded in a bombing organized by People's Will.
Death of Tsar Alexander II
Dies after a second bomb explodes near his carriage.
New Russian Tsar
Begins a reign marked by political reaction and stronger autocracy.
Succession of Alexander III
Succeeds his assassinated father as Tsar of Russia.
Alexander II Assassination Plot
Helps coordinate the assassination of Tsar Alexander II.
People's Will Attack
Signals the attackers as the imperial carriage approaches.
Assassination of Alexander II
Alexander II, Tsar of Russia, is assassinated, a bomb is thrown at him near his palace by the anarchist group Peoples Will led by Sophia Perovskaya
Carol I Becomes King
The new royal title reflects Romania's internationally recognized independence.
Kingdom of Romania Proclaimed
Carol becomes king when Parliament proclaims the Kingdom of Romania.
Kingdom of Romania Proclaimed
Parliament proclaims Romania a kingdom and Carol its king.
Birth of Bela Viktor Janos Bartok
Birth of Bela Viktor Janos Bartok
Pretoria Convention
Boer leaders sign the Pretoria Convention restoring Transvaal self-government.
Preliminary Peace Settlement
Accepts a peace settlement restoring Transvaal self-government.
Transvaal Self-Government Accepted
British policy shifts from renewed war toward negotiated autonomy.
Bela Bartok Born
The future Hungarian composer and ethnomusicologist is born.
Birth of Bela Bartok
Bela Bartok is born in Nagyszentmiklos.
Peace Negotiations
Accepts self-government for the Transvaal after British defeats.
April 18816 historical events
Execution of Sophia Perovskaya
Is executed for participating in Alexander II's assassination.
People's Will Leaders Executed
She is hanged with other convicted People's Will conspirators.
Constitution of 1881
Promulgates the Constitution of 1881.
Constitution of Venezuela
The Constitution of 1881 reorganized the states into larger political sections and strengthened federal administration.
Venezuelan Federal Reorganisation
The constitution reorganizes Venezuelan states into larger federal sections.
Capture of Kandahar
Abdur Rahman takes control of Kandahar and strengthens his claim to national rule.
May 188113 historical events
Prime Minister of South Africa
Appointed Prime Minister of the Cape Colony
Coronation of Carol I
Is crowned King of Romania in Bucharest.
Coronation
Carol and Queen Elisabeth are crowned as Romania's first royal couple.
Steel Crown Coronation
Wears a steel crown made from a captured Ottoman cannon.
French Protectorate over Tunisia
The treaty establishes French control over Tunisian foreign affairs.
Treaty of Bardo
His government imposes the Treaty of Bardo on Tunisia.
Manifesto
"..the voice of God commands us to stand bravely at the helm of the state"
First Electric Tram
Opens an electric railway at Lichterfelde near Berlin.
Lichterfelde Electric Railway
The line becomes the world's first electric tramway.
Ignatyev Joins Alexander III Government
Takes office as the government adopts a more conservative direction.
Interior Ministry Appointment
Becomes Minister of the Interior under Alexander III.
Autocratic Rule Affirmed
Rejects expectations of constitutional reform after his father's assassination.
Manifesto of Unshakable Autocracy
Issues a manifesto affirming the principle of autocratic rule.
June 18815 historical events
Free Primary Education Reform
Supports the law establishing free public primary education.
Public School Fees Abolished
The measure abolishes school fees in public primary schools.
Free Primary Education Law
Promulgates legislation making public primary education free.
Jules Ferry Education Reform
The reform becomes a foundation of France's republican school system.
Siege of Potchefstroom
Captures the British garrison at Potchefstroom
July 188112 historical events
Assassination of Garfield
Charles Guiteau, failed applicant for an appointment as minister to Austria & consul-general to Paris, shoots Garfield in a railroad station, he dies 19th Sept
Garfield Assassin Detained
Authorities detain him for the attack on the president.
Guiteau Arrested
Is arrested immediately after shooting President Garfield.
Speech
Exclaims, "I am a stalwart of the stalwarts..Arthur is president now"
Garfield Shot
Is shot by Charles Guiteau at a Washington railroad station.
Presidential Assassination Attempt
Survives the shooting initially but remains gravely wounded.
Boundary Treaty with Argentina
Concludes the boundary treaty with Argentina.
Boundary Treaty with Argentina
Signs a treaty establishing the principal boundary framework between Chile and Argentina.
Chile-Argentina Boundary Settlement
The agreement establishes a framework for the Andean frontier.
Induction Balance Tested
Tests an induction balance in an attempt to locate Garfield's bullet.
Search for Garfield Bullet
Develops an early metal detector for the wounded president.
Thessaly Incorporated
Koumoundouros's government incorporates most of Thessaly and part of Epirus.
August 188129 historical events
Convention
Boer leaders sign the Pretoria Convention restoring Transvaal self-government.
Convention
Boer leaders announce the restoration of Transvaal republican government.
Restoration of Transvaal Government
Boer leaders announce the restoration of Transvaal republican government.
Convention
Boer leaders sign the Pretoria Convention restoring Transvaal self-government.
Pretoria Convention
Signs the Pretoria Convention restoring Transvaal self-government.
Boer Triumvirate Settlement
The settlement formalizes restored Transvaal self-government.
Peace Settlement Signed
Joins the Boer triumvirate accepting restored self-government.
Pretoria Convention Signed
Signs the Pretoria Convention as a member of the Boer triumvirate.
Pretoria Convention
Signs the convention confirming Transvaal self-government.
Pretoria Convention
Signs the convention settling the First Boer War.
Boer War Settlement
Helps formalize the restoration of republican administration.
First Boer War Settlement
The agreement confirms substantial internal autonomy for the Transvaal.
Pretoria Convention Signed
Signs the convention settling the First Boer War.
Pretoria Convention
Signs the Pretoria Convention after the Boer victory.
Pretoria Convention
Signs the settlement with Britain.
Pretoria Convention Signed
Signs the Pretoria Convention with British representatives.
Pretoria Convention
Signs the Pretoria Convention with Britain.
Transvaal Self-Government Restored
Secures restored Transvaal self-government under British suzerainty.
Transvaal Settlement
The agreement restores Transvaal self-government under British suzerainty.
Alexander Fleming Born
The future discoverer of penicillin is born in Ayrshire.
Birth of Alexander Fleming
Alexander Fleming is born at Lochfield Farm in Scotland.
Birth of Paul Ludwig Ewald von Kleist
Birth of Paul Ludwig Ewald von Kleist
Independence of South Africa
The Triumvirate take over the Government of the Transvaal
Independence of Transvaal
The Triumvirate take over the Government of the Transvaal
Independence of South Africa
The Triumvirate take over the Government of the Transvaal
Independence of Transvaal
The Triumvirate take over the Government of the Transvaal
Independence of South Africa
The Triumvirate take over the Government of the Transvaal
Independence of Transvaal
The Triumvirate take over the Government of the Transvaal
Assassination of Garfield
President Garfield dies from gunshot wounds fired by Charles Guiteau
September 188117 historical events
Birth of Henry Maitland Wilson
Birth of Henry Maitland Wilson, 1st Baron Wilson
Garfield Moved to New Jersey
Is moved to the New Jersey coast in hopes of recovery.
Presidential Convalescence at Elberon
Continues treatment at Elberon while his condition deteriorates.
Urabi Movement
Leads an army demonstration demanding dismissal of the cabinet and constitutional government.
New Chilean Administration
Begins his presidency during the continuing War of the Pacific.
Presidency of Domingo Santa Maria
Takes office as President of Chile.
President of Chile
Takes office as President of Chile during the War of the Pacific settlement period.
Death of James Abram Garfield
Death of James Abram Garfield, dies from gunshot wounds fired by Charles Guiteau
Death of James Garfield
Dies after lingering for weeks following Guiteau's shooting.
Garfield Dies from Wounds
His death elevates Chester Arthur to the presidency.
Arthur Sworn In
Becomes the twenty-first President of the United States.
Oath
Takes the oath the day after Garfields death
Presidential Oath
Takes the presidential oath after Garfield's death.
Formal Presidential Swearing-In
Participates in a formal presidential swearing-in ceremony in Washington.
Second Oath Ceremony
Begins organizing the new administration after Garfield's death.
Garfield Funeral
Garfield's funeral ceremonies culminate in Cleveland.
President Buried in Cleveland
The late president is buried after a national period of mourning.
October 18817 historical events
Patience at the Savoy Theatre
Patience transfers to the newly opened Savoy Theatre.
Savoy Opera Transfer
Sullivan's opera helps inaugurate D'Oyly Carte's new electric-lit theatre.
Arrest of Charles Stewart Parnell
Convicted on charge of obstructing the operation of the new land act. Campaigns for Irish tenants not to pay rent, retaliation for outlawing the Land League
Arrest of Charles Stewart Parnell
Arrested for treasonable practices and sent to Kilmainham Gaol; issued No Rent Manifesto
Manifesto
Arrested for treasonable practices and sent to Kilmainham Gaol; issued No Rent Manifesto
Jiyuto Organised
Becomes leader of the new party advocating representative government.
Liberal Party Founded
Helps found Japan's Liberal Party, the Jiyuto.
November 18815 historical events
Death of John MacHale
MacHale dies in Tuam after decades of involvement in Catholic education, Irish-language advocacy and nationalist political causes.
Gambetta Ministry Begins
Forms a new French government and becomes prime minister.
Prime Minister of France
His ministry begins after Jules Ferry leaves office.
Garfield Assassination Trial
The proceedings focus heavily on his disputed insanity defense.
Guiteau Murder Trial Begins
His trial for President Garfield's murder begins in Washington.
December 18812 historical events
Death of Jenny Marx
Marx's wife Jenny dies after decades of political exile and collaboration.
Battle of Bronkhorstspruitt
Destroys the British 94th Regiment during an ambush
Gold Peso Currency Law
Argentina's currency unification law establishes the gold argentino and provides a legal basis for converting national money into gold.
President of Austria
Appointed President of the Administritive Court
Education
Receives his MD degree at the age of 25
Education
Earns a medical degree
Foreign Secretary of Chile
Becomes Minister of Foreign Affairs during the government of Domingo Santa Maria.
Invasion of Vietnam
China sends troops down the Red River to occupy Tonkin
Rule of Vietnam
China declares sovereignty over Annam, Vietnam
Independence of Cuba
Marti joins General Calixto Garcias Cuban revolutionary committee, made up of exiled Cubans who wanted independence for Cuba
Exile of Jose Juian Marti Perez
Marti travels to Venezuela & founds the Revista Venezolana, or Venezuelan Review, the journal provokes the wrath of Venezuelas dictator, Antonio Blanco, and Marti is forced to leave for New York. Exiled for a 2nd time, goes to the USA
Independence of Cuba
Marti joins General Calixto Garcias Cuban revolutionary committee, made up of exiled Cubans who wanted independence for Cuba
Revista Venezolana
Marti travels to Venezuela & founds the Revista Venezolana, or Venezuelan Review, the journal provokes the wrath of Venezuelas dictator, Antonio Guzman Blanco, and Marti is forced to leave for New York
Un Illumine
Publication of "Un Illumine"
Canal Promoter
Begins full scale French canal construction and acquires key railroad assets
French Canal Project Expands
The company commits major resources to excavation and railway acquisition.
Panama Canal Construction
Directs expansion of the French Panama Canal construction effort.
Minister of Education
Appointed Minister of Education
Rule of Tunisia
Tunisia is made a French protectorate
Prime Minister of France
Ministry last for 9 weeks, suspected of dictatorial ambitions
Agregation in Philosophy
Bergson passes the competitive philosophy examination and begins teaching in provincial lycees.
Inverse Piezoelectric Effect
Helps demonstrate the inverse piezoelectric effect.
Inverse Piezoelectric Effect
Helps experimentally verify the inverse piezoelectric effect.
Inverse Piezoelectric Effect
Shows crystals can deform under an electric field.
Piezoelectric Verification
Shows that electric fields can deform suitable crystals.
Siege of Hanoi
Riviere is sent to Hanoi to evict the Chinese "Black Flag Pirates". Killed during a Vietnamese counterattack. Captures the Hanoi fortress & the Hon Gay coal mine
SDP
The Septennat Law financing the Army for 7 years is passed through the Reichstag
Marriage
Marries Princess Augusta Victoria of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Augustenburg
Liberal Union
Opposes Bismarck's tariffs & forms the Liberal Union with National Liberals
Discovery of Electrons
In 1881, German physicist Hermann von Helmholtz argued that both positive and negative charges were divided into elementary parts, each of which "behaves like atoms of electricity"
Birth of Walter Brauchitsch
Birth of Walter Brauchitsch
Evolution and Ethics", an exposition of scientific humanism
Publication of "Evolution & Ethics", an exposition of scientific humanism
Evolution and Ethics
Publication of "Evolution & Ethics", an exposition of scientific humanism
Law Courts Branch Opens
Henry Grenfell serves as Governor when the Bank of England opens a branch serving the Royal Courts of Justice in London.
Birth of Alexander Fleming
Birth of Alexander Fleming
Burial
Buried at Hughenden
Birth of Edward Frederick Lindley Wood
Birth of Edward Frederick Lindley Wood, 4th son of Charles the 2nd Viscount Halifax
Under Secretary
Appointed Under Secretary for the Home Department in charge of Scottish affairs
Leader of the House of Lords
Appointed Leader of the Lords Opposition
Party Leader
Appointed Party Leader of the Conservative Party
Death of Victoria
Her fovoured & trusted Prime Minister dies
Land League
Campaigns for Irish tenants not to pay rent, retaliation for outlawing the Land League
Land League
Campaigns for tennants not to pay rent in retaliation for outlawing the Land League
Strike
Campaigns for tennants not to pay rent in retaliation for outlawing the Land League
Christie Succeeds Airy At Greenwich
William Henry Mahoney Christie became Astronomer Royal and supervised continued observatory modernisation. This made positional observations more useful to navigators.
Electric Lighting of University House
Creates one of the first houses in the world to be fully lit by electricity on the university campus.
Greek Territorial Expansion
Greek administration extends into territory ceded by the Ottoman Empire.
Thessaly Incorporated
Oversees incorporation of most of Thessaly into Greece.
Rule of Epirus
The greater part of Thessaly & part of Epirus is incorporated into Greece
Rule of Thessaly
The greater part of Thessaly & part of Epirus is incorporated into Greece
Marriage
Marries Kasturbai, they have 4 sons
Gold Convertibility Legislation
Magliani's monetary legislation prepares the end of forced paper currency and sets the conditions for Italy to re-enter the international gold-standard system.
Liberal Party
Helps found the Liberal Party, 1st political party in Japan
Major General
Appointed Major General
Ghosts", the
Publication of "Ghosts", the first production
Ghosts
Publication of "Ghosts", the first production
Gastric Resection
Performs an early successful gastric resection for pyloric cancer.
Pyloric Cancer Surgery
Advances operative treatment of serious stomach disease.
Birth of Wladyslaw Sikorski
Birth of Wladyslaw Sikorski
Coronation
Is crowned King of Romania after the independence recognized by the Treaty of Berlin becomes established internationally.
Succession
Becomes the first King of Romania after the state whose independence was recognized at Berlin is proclaimed a kingdom.
Minister of Interior
Appointed Minister of the Interior, 1st term
Minister of Interior
Appointed Minister of the Interior
Pogroms
Emancipates Serfs but fails to check pogroms & growing pan-slavism
Reform of Serfdom
Emancipates Serfs but fails to check pogroms & growing pan-slavism
Loris-Melikov Reform Proposal
Approves a proposal for limited consultative participation in legislation shortly before his assassination.
Compulsory Land Redemption
Makes redemption of former serf land allotments compulsory while reducing the payments owed by peasants.
Emergency Regulations
Approves emergency regulations giving officials expanded powers of arrest, censorship and administrative control.
Execution of Regicides
Refuses clemency for leading conspirators convicted of participating in the assassination of Alexander II.
Rejection of Constitutional Reform
Rejects plans associated with Loris-Melikov for a limited national consultative body.
Residence at Gatchina
Moves the imperial household to Gatchina, where security can be maintained more tightly after his father's assassination.
Succession
Succeeds as Tsar of Russia, Succeeds his father Alexander II
Birth of Aleksey Ivanovich Rykov
Birth of Aleksey Ivanovich Rykov
Birth of Alexander Fedorovich Kerensky
Born on 4 May 1881 into a Russian family; later became a lawyer, socialist politician and leader of the Provisional Government during the 1917 Revolution.
Conference of Pretoria
The Transvaal becomes an independent Afrikaner republic at the Convention of Pretoria
Independence of South Africa
The Transvaal becomes an independent Afrikaner republic at the Convention of Pretoria
Independence of Transvaal
The Transvaal becomes an independent Afrikaner republic at the Convention of Pretoria
Free State
Helps win independence for the Orange Free State from Britain
Independence of Orange Free State
Helps win independence for the Orange Free State from Britain
Independence of South Africa
Helps win independence for the Orange Free State from Britain
Secretary of State for War
Appointed Secretary of State for War
Assassination of Garfield
Guiteau is found guilty of assassinating Garfield, despite his lawyers raising an insanity defense, & sentenced to death. Guiteau is found guilty of assassinating Garfield, despite his lawyers raising an insanity defense
Trial
Guiteau is found guilty of assassinating Garfield, despite his lawyers raising an insanity defense, & sentenced to death
President of USA
Appointed President of the USA, 21st President
Burial
Garfield is buried, with great and solemn ceremony, in a mausoleum in aLakeview Cemetery in Cleveland, Ohio
Inauguration
Inaugurated as President
Indian Affairs Committee
Becomes chairman of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.
Senate Reelection
Reelected to the United States Senate from Massachusetts.
Vice President
Appointed Vice President of the USA
Ayub Khan Seeks Herat Control
Ayub Khan's struggle for control of Herat continues amid the consolidation of Abdur Rahman Khan's rule.
Ayub Khan Seeks Herat Control
Ayub Khan's struggle for control of Herat continues amid the consolidation of Abdur Rahman Khan's rule.