President of Switzerland
Begins a one-year term as President of the Swiss Confederation.
Historical events in 1885
175 historical records
January 18857 historical events
Birth of John Joseph Ambrose Curtin
Birth of John Joseph Ambrose Curtin
1st Appendctomy
Undergoes the 1st appendectomy
Siege of Khartoum
Arrives at Korti at the head of a relief expedition to relieve Khartoum
Siege of Khartoum
A relief expedition arrives at Korti under Sir Charles Wilson
Capture of Khartoum
The Mahdi Muhammad Ahmad captures Khartoum
Death of Charles George Hamilton Gordon
Death of Charles George Hamilton Gordon, during the siege of Khartoum
February 18853 historical events
Siege of Khartoum
After Gordons death Gladstone resigns
Death of Edward McCabe
McCabe dies after several years of ill health, ending a short and politically difficult tenure as Archbishop of Dublin.
Capture of Langson
The French capture Langson
March 18854 historical events
Inauguration
Inaugurated President of the USA, 22nd President
Panjdeh Crisis
Russian forces seize Panjdeh, prompting an Anglo-Russian crisis over Afghanistan's northern frontier.
Capture of Langson
China recaptures Langson
Siege of Chi-lung
Chi-lung surrenders to the French
May 18852 historical events
North-West Rebellion
Surrenders after defeat at Batoche during the North-West Rebellion.
Death of Victor Hugo
Death of Victor Hugo
June 188510 historical events
Rule of Pescadores
Under the Treaty of Tientsin French occupied areas of Pescadores are returned to China
Treaty of Tientsin
The status quo is restored, France returns occupied areas in Formosa & Pescadores
Budget
Gladstone is defeated by the Irish Party's vote on the budget
Death of Frederick Charles
Death of Frederick Charles
Foreign Secretary of Great Britain
Appointed Foreign Secretary
Prime Minister of Great Britain
Appointed Prime Minister of Great Britain, 1st term, a minority administration
Cabinet
Appointed Member of Cabinet, leader of the "Tory Democrats"
Secretary of State for India
Appointed Secretary of State for India
Legislation
Redistribution of Seats Bill, creates seats in Yorkshire, Lancashire & outer London
Reform of Electoral System
Redistribution of Seats Bill, creates seats in Yorkshire, Lancashire & outer London. Merges smaller boroughs into County constituencies
July 18852 historical events
First Human Rabies Vaccination
Begins successful rabies vaccination of Joseph Meister after dog bites.
Rabies Post-Exposure Treatment
Establishes practical post-exposure prevention for a previously fatal disease.
August 18853 historical events
1st Promenade Concert
Holds the first Promenade Concert at Queens Hall, London
Secretary of State for Scotland
Appointed Scottish Secretary & enters the Cabinet
S Andromedae Observed
Observes the brilliant transient S Andromedae in M31, later recognized as a supernova and the first supernova recorded in the Andromeda Galaxy.
September 18855 historical events
Union of Eastern Rumelia
Accepts the union of Eastern Rumelia with Bulgaria despite international opposition.
Coup
A coup in Eastern Rumelia leads directly to a war between Serbia and Bulgaria
Declaration of War
A coup in Eastern Rumelia leads directly to a war between Serbia and Bulgaria
Eastern Rumelia Crisis
Faces a Balkan crisis after Eastern Rumelia unites with Bulgaria, overturning part of the territorial arrangement created at Berlin.
Union of Eastern Rumelia
Regards the union of Bulgaria and Eastern Rumelia as a threat to Serbia.
October 18854 historical events
Birth
Niels Henrik David Bohr is born in Copenhagen, later becoming a central architect of atomic theory and twentieth-century quantum physics.
Death of James Hamilton
Death of James Hamilton
Serbian Mobilization
Prepares Bulgarian forces as relations with Serbia deteriorate.
Serbian Mobilization
Orders Serbian forces mobilized during the crisis over Eastern Rumelia.
November 188550 historical events
Birth of Harlow Shapley
Birth of Harlow Shapley
Canadian Pacific Railway
Oversees completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway.
Birth of George Smith Patton
Birth of George Smith Patton
Declaration of War
Milan invades Bulgaria hoping to unite Serbia. Demands territory to compensate for Bulgarias growth after union with eastern Rumelia
Birth of Albrecht Kesselring
Birth of Albrecht Kesselring, into a family of teachers, councillors & academics
Rule of Rumelia
Demands territory to compensate for Bulgarias union with eastern Rumelia
Declaration of War
Takes command of Bulgarian resistance after Serbia declares war.
Declaration of War
Declares war on Bulgaria and orders an advance toward Sofia.
Declaration of War
Declares war on Bulgaria after the union with Eastern Rumelia disrupts the regional balance created by the Treaty of Berlin.
Execution of Louis Riel
Refuses clemency before Louis Riel is executed.
Battle of Slivnitsa
Defeats the Serbs, Eastern Roumelia is Annexed to Bulgaria
Serbian Advance
Organizes Bulgarian troops to block the Serbian advance toward Sofia.
Battle of Slivnitsa Begins
Directs Bulgarian defenses during the opening fighting at Slivnitsa.
Battle of Slivnitsa Begins
Commits Serbian forces against Bulgarian positions around Slivnitsa.
Invasion of Bulgaria
Invades Bulgaria hoping to unite Serbia
Serbian Advance
Directs the Serbian advance across the Bulgarian frontier.
Battle of Slivnitsa
Coordinates reinforcements arriving to strengthen the Bulgarian line.
Battle of Slivnitsa
Continues attacks against the Bulgarian defensive line at Slivnitsa.
Bulgarian Victory at Slivnitsa
Secures a decisive Bulgarian victory over the invading Serbian army.
Battle of Slivnitsa
Bulgarians, led by Stefan Stambolov, repulse a larger Serbian invasion force at Slivnitsa
Battle of Slivnitsa
Defeated in battle, eastern Roumelia is annexed by Bulgaria
Bulgarian Victory at Slivnitsa
Orders a retreat after Serbian attacks fail at Slivnitsa.
Invasion of Bulgaria
Bulgarians, led by Stefan Stambolov, repulse a larger Serbian invasion force at Slivnitsa
Serbian Retreat
Pursues retreating Serbian forces westward from Slivnitsa.
Serbian Retreat
Withdraws Serbian formations toward the frontier after Slivnitsa.
Independence of Great Britain
Advises English constituencies to vote Conservative
Independence of Ireland
Advises English constituencies to vote Conservative
Battle of Dragoman
Presses Bulgarian attacks against Serbian rear guards near Dragoman.
Battle of Dragoman
Attempts to stabilize the Serbian retreat near Dragoman.
Election
Wins the election but dependent on Irish support
Government
Wins the election but dependent on Irish support
Battle of Tsaribrod
Advances through Tsaribrod as Bulgarian forces carry the war into Serbia.
Battle of Tsaribrod
Loses the frontier position at Tsaribrod during the Bulgarian counteroffensive.
Bulgarian Invasion of Serbia
Authorizes the advance into Serbia following victories along the frontier.
Bulgarian Invasion of Serbia
Concentrates Serbian defenses as Bulgarian forces approach Pirot.
Battle of Pirot
Battle of Pirot, see-saw Battle swirling about the village of Pirot, two days later, Franz Joseph forces an armistice in the Serbian War
Battle of Pirot
Franz Joseph forces an armistice in the Serbian War.
Battle of Pirot Begins
Leads Bulgarian formations attacking Serbian positions around Pirot.
Battle of Pirot Begins
Deploys Serbian troops to defend Pirot from the Bulgarian advance.
Battle of Pirot
26-27 November, Bulgarian victory, Austrian intervention saves the Serbs
Invasion of Serbia
Bulgaria moves into Serbia
Capture of Pirot
Enters Pirot after Bulgarian troops break the Serbian defense.
Capture of Pirot
Withdraws after Bulgarian forces capture Pirot.
Armistice
Battle of Pirot, see-saw Battle swirling about the village of Pirot, two days later, Franz Joseph forces an armistice in the Serbian War
Armistice
Franz Joseph intervenes & forces an armistice
Austrian Intervention
Stops the advance after Austria-Hungary threatens intervention.
Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery
The Prince of Wales opens Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery.
Austrian Intervention
Benefits from Austro-Hungarian intervention halting the Bulgarian advance.
Battle of Pirot
Franz Joseph forces an armistice in the Serbian War
Declaration of War
An international conference is convened and becames deadlocked, Serbia declares war
December 18854 historical events
Independence of Great Britain
Newspapers quote Herbert Gladstone about his fathers conversion to Irish home rule
Independence of Ireland
Newspapers quote Herbert Gladstone about his fathers conversion to Irish home rule
Irish Home Rule
Newspapers quote Herbert Gladstone about his fathers conversion to Irish home rule
Indian National Congress
The first Session of Indian National Congress is held from 28-31 December 1885, and is attended by 72 delegates
Rebel Leader
Rebellion and foreign intervention culminate in the burning of Colon
Gold Convertibility Suspended
Argentina suspends currency convertibility as financial strains exhaust the conditions needed to maintain the existing gold parity.
PGP
Founds the Pan-German Party
Rare Earth Element Separation
Advances analytical chemistry of the difficult rare-earth elements.
Separation of Neodymium and Praseodymium
Separates didymium into the elements neodymium and praseodymium.
Education
Freud goes to Paris on a traveling fellowship to study with Europes most renowned neurologist, Jean Martin Charcot
University of Vienna
Appointed Lecturer in neuropathology at the University of Vienna
Gas Mantle Development
Develops a rare-earth gas mantle producing intense white light.
Incandescent Gas Lighting
Greatly improves the efficiency and brightness of gas illumination.
Bruges Literary Image
Rodenbach presents Bruges as a symbolic city of memory and decline.
Capture of Roumelia
Eastern Roumelia is Annexed to Bulgaria
Harland and Wolff Limited Company
Oversees Harland and Wolff as the business is reorganized as a private limited liability company.
Rule of Tonking
In defeat China recognizes the French protectorate over Tonking
Minister of Finance
Appointed Minister of Finance
Resignation of Jules Francoise Camille Ferry
The legislature refuses to vote money to support the struggle in Indochina
Election
Elected Deputy to the French Parliament
Fourth Symphony
Composes, "Fourth Symphony"
Governor
Appointed Governor of Alsace-Lorraine
Deputy Secretary of State
Appointed Deputy Secretary of State
Invention of Engine
Develops a petrol engine & fits it onto the back of a bicycle
Invention of Automobile
Fits Daimlers engine to a 3 wheeled carriage
Peerage
Created Baron Millais, 1st artist to receive a Baronetcy
Municipal School of Art
Birmingham's School of Art becomes the first municipal art school in Britain.
Discovery of Africa
Leopold II gives Stanley the task of expanding Belgian power in Africa
Free State
Helps establish the Congo Free State as a personal possession of the Belgian King.
Solicitor General
Appointed Solicitor General
Lord Chancellor
Appointed Lord Chancellor for Ireland, 1st term
Peerage
Created Baron Ashbourne, of Ashbourne in the County of Meath
Privy Council
Appointed Member of Privy Council
Lord Chancellor
Appointed Lord Chancellor, 1st term
Peerage
Created Baron Halsbury, of Halsbury in the County of Devon, and appointed Lord Chancellor, thus forming a remarkable exception to the rule that no criminal lawyer ever reaches the woolsack
Lord President
Appointed Lord President of the Council
Member of Parliament
Elected Member of Parliament for East Manchester
Local Government Board
Appointed President of the Local Government Board
Secretary of State for War and the Colonies
Appointed Colonial Secretary
Chancellor of the Exchequer
Appointed Chancellor of the Exchequer, 1st term
Franchise
Parliamentary reform continues with the Redistribution of Seats Act
Franchise
Extends the franchise
Legislation
Parliamentary reform continues with the Redistribution of Seats Act
Redistribution of Seats Act
Parliamentary reform continues with the Redistribution of Seats Act
Reform of Electoral System
Extends the franchise
Reform of Parliament
Parliamentary reform continues with the Redistribution of Seats Act
Resignation of William Ewart Gladstone
After Gordons death Gladstone resigns
Peerage
Succeeds as Duke of Abercorn, 2nd
Lord Lieutenant
Appointed Lord Lieutenant of County Donegal
Member of Parliament
Elected to Parliament for North-West Norfolk as a Liberal
Hawarden Kite
Gladstones conversion to a policy of Home Rule in late 1885 (the "Hawarden Kite") results in the fall of Lord Salisburys Government, the Irish Nationalists, led by Charles Parnell, vote against the Tories on a.
Hawarden Kite
land Bill but The Irish Nationalists hold the balance of power in Parliament at this time, Gladstones conversion had convinces them to support the Liberal Government by using the 86 seats of Parliament they controlled.
Home Rule
Gladstones conversion to a policy of Home Rule in late 1885 (the "Hawarden Kite") results in the fall of Lord Salisburys Government, the Irish Nationalists, led by Charles Parnell, vote against the Tories on a.
Home Rule
land Bill but The Irish Nationalists hold the balance of power in Parliament at this time, Gladstones conversion had convinces them to support the Liberal Government by using the 86 seats of Parliament they controlled.
Member of Parliament
Elected Member of Parliament for Berwick-Upon-Tweed
Member of Parliament
Elected Member of Parliament for East Lothian
NAU
Elected to Parliament for North-West Norfolk as a Liberal
Patent
Patents a waterproof fabric of rubber bonded cloth
McIntyre Defends Blackburn Cup Retention
McIntyre contributes to Blackburn Rovers' defensive effort as the club defeats Queen's Park 2–0 to retain the FA Cup.
Football League Proposal
McGregor begins advocating regular league fixtures among leading professional clubs.
Admiral
Appointed Admiral of the Fleet
Siege of Khartoum
Serves in Wolseley's failed attempt to relieve Gordon
Nile Expedition Staff Service
Supports the Nile expedition with local knowledge, reconnaissance and staff work during the advance south.
Siege of Khartoum
Arrives at Khartoum to find it in the hands of the Mahdi after a 317 day siege
Indian National Association
Founds the Indian National Congress
Indian National Congress
Founds the Indian National Congress
Indian National Congress
The Indian National Congress is jointly formed by Allen Octavian Hume
Indian National Congress
Created by A. O. Hume, Dadabhai Naoroji & Dinshaw Edulji Wacha, the Indian National Congress becomes the nations leader in the Independence Movement, with over 15 million Indians involved in its organisations and over 70 million participants
Indian National Congress
Created by A. O. Hume, Dadabhai Naoroji & Dinshaw Edulji Wacha, the Indian National Congress becomes the nations leader in the Independence Movement, with over 15 million Indians involved in its organisations and over 70 million participants
Indian National Association
After the founding of the Congress in 1885 in Bombay, Banerjee merges his organisation, Indian National Association, owing to their common objectives and memberships
Indian National Congress
Womesh Chandra Bonerjee becomes the first President of the Indian National Congress. Bonerjee becomes the first President of the Indian National Congress. After the founding of the Congress in 1885 in Bombay, Banerjee merges his organisation, Indian National Association, owing to their common objectives and memberships
Appointed Archbishop of Dublin
Walsh is appointed Archbishop of Dublin and becomes an influential spokesman on land reform, Home Rule and Catholic education.
Rule of Massawa
An Italian colony is established at Massawa, Eritrea
Birth of Tomoyuki Yamashita
Birth of Tomoyuki Yamashita, son of a country doctor
Painting
Paints "The Sunflower" series. Paints "The Potato Eaters". Paints "The Night Cafe"
Minister of France
Appointed Minister of France
Nobles Land Bank
Supports creation of the Nobles Land Bank to provide credit to landed nobles.
Panjdeh Crisis
Avoids war with Britain while Russia and Britain negotiate after the Panjdeh confrontation in Central Asia.
Birth of Karl Bernhardovich Radek
Birth of Karl Bernhardovich Radek
Sagrada Familia Saint Joseph Chapel
Completes the Saint Joseph chapel in the crypt, where the first masses are celebrated.
President of USA
Appointed President of the USA, 22nd President
Secretary of State for Interior
Appointed Secretary of State for the Interior
Vice President
Appointed Vice President of the USA
Congressional Government
Publication of "Congressional Government"
Marriage
Marries Ellen Axson