Articles of Confederarion
All the US states ratify the Articles of Confederarion
Permanent historical records · Updated 2026-11-03
1881 in United States of America
Explore 35 historical events and records for United States of America in 1881.
Historical records for United States of America in 1881
Sorted by month and day. Records with no month are shown last. Showing 35 of 35 unique records.
35Unique records
1 of 1Page
33Named events on this page
6Named people on this page
7Places on this page
March
Arthur Becomes Vice President
Begins the vice presidency that ends with Garfield's death.
Garfield Inauguration
Is inaugurated as the twentieth President of the United States.
Twentieth President Takes Office
Begins his presidency after winning the 1880 election.
Vice Presidential Inauguration
Takes office as Vice President under President Garfield.
July
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.
Garfield Shot
Is shot by Charles Guiteau at a Washington railroad station.
Guiteau Arrested
Is arrested immediately after shooting President Garfield.
Presidential Assassination Attempt
Survives the shooting initially but remains gravely wounded.
Speech
Exclaims, "I am a stalwart of the stalwarts..Arthur is president now"
August
Assassination of Garfield
President Garfield dies from gunshot wounds fired by Charles Guiteau
September
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.
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.
November
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.
Other events (month unknown)
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
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.
President of USA
Appointed President of the USA, 21st President
Secretary of State for War
Appointed Secretary of State for War
Senate Reelection
Reelected to the United States Senate from Massachusetts.
Trial
Guiteau is found guilty of assassinating Garfield, despite his lawyers raising an insanity defense, & sentenced to death
Vice President
Appointed Vice President of the USA
How these records were prepared
Generated from the World History Database historical_events table. Identical display records are collapsed; descriptions otherwise retain the stored text. Coverage and source quality vary. Check primary and specialist sources before citing individual historical claims.