February 1885

Thursday 05:

King Léopold II of Belgium establishes the Congo as a personal possession.

Monday 09:

The first Japanese arrive in Hawaii.

Wednesday 18:

Mark Twain's Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is published for the first time.

Saturday 21:

The newly completed Washington Monument is dedicated.

Saturday 28:

The American Telephone and Telegraph Company is incorporated in New York State as the subsidiary of American Bell Telephone. (American Bell would later merge with its subsidiary.)