Former President Ulysses S. Grant Dies
On July 23, 1885, Ulysses S. Grant, the 18th President of the United States and a commanding general during the Civil War, died of throat cancer at the age of 63. Grant’s leadership during the Civil War helped preserve the Union, and his two terms as president were marked by both commendable efforts to reconstruct […]
Statue of Liberty Arrives in New York Harbor
On June 17, 1885, the Statue of Liberty, a gift of friendship from the people of France to the United States, arrived in New York Harbor aboard the French ship Isère. This monumental statue, designed by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and built by Gustave Eiffel, was shipped in 350 individual pieces packed in more than 200 […]
Mark Twain Publishes “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn”
A literary classic was born on February 18th, 1885, as Mark Twain’s novel “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” was published in the United States. Twain’s masterpiece, praised for its vivid depiction of American life and social commentary, continues to resonate with readers worldwide.
The Congo Free State is Established by King Leopold II of Belgium
A chapter in African colonial history began on February 5th, 1885, as King Leopold II of Belgium established the Congo Free State, marking the beginning of a horrific and challenging period for the region.