1879 - What happened in 1879 ?

January 1879

Thursday 02:

Fred Spofforth claims the first Hat-trick in test cricket on the Sydney Cricket Ground against England.

Saturday 11:

Anglo-Zulu War begins.

Wednesday 22:

Anglo-Zulu War: Zulu troops massacre British troops at the Battle of Isandlwana.

February 1879

Wednesday 12:

At New York City's Madison Square Garden the first artificial ice rink in North America opens.

Friday 14:

The War of the Pacific broke out when Chilean armed forces occupied the Bolivian port city of Antofagasta.

Saturday 15:

Women's rights: American President Rutherford B. Hayes signs a bill allowing female attorneys to argue cases before the Supreme Court of the United States.

Saturday 22:

In Utica, New York, Frank Woolworth opens the first of many of 5 and 10-cent Woolworth stores.

March 1879

Monday 03:

The United States Geological Survey is created.

Saturday 29:

Anglo-Zulu War: Battle of Kambula: British forces defeat 20,000 Zulus.

May 1879

Wednesday 21:

War of the Pacific: Two Chilean ships blocking the harbor of Iquique, Chile, battle two Peruvian vessels in the Battle of Iquique.

Monday 26:

Russia and the United Kingdom sign the Treaty of Gandamak establishing an Afghan state.

Friday 30:

New York City's Gilmores Garden is renamed Madison Square Garden by William Vanderbilt and is opened to the public at 26th Street and Madison Avenue.

June 1879

Sunday 01:

Napoleon Eugene, Prince of France, is killed in the Anglo-Zulu War.

July 1879

Saturday 19:

Doc Holliday kills for the first time after a man shoots up Holliday's New Mexico saloon.

August 1879

Thursday 07:

opening of Poor Man's Palace in Manchester

Thursday 21:

The Virgin Mary, along with St. Joseph and St. John the Evangelist reportedly appear to the people of Knock, County Mayo, Ireland.

Thursday 28:

Cetshwayo, last king of the Zulus, is captured by the British.

October 1879

Tuesday 07:

Germany and Austria-Hungary sign the "Twofold Covenant" and create the Dual Alliance.

Tuesday 21:

Using a filament of carbonized thread, Thomas Edison tests the first practical electric light bulb (it lasted 13 1/2 hours before burning out).

December 1879

Sunday 28:

The Tay Bridge Disaster: The central part of the Tay Rail Bridge in Dundee, Scotland collapses as a train passed over it, killing 75.

Tuesday 30:

The Pirates of Penzance is first performed (Paignton, Devon, England)

Wednesday 31:

Thomas Edison demonstrates incandescent lighting to the public for the first time (Menlo Park, New Jersey).