Advertisement
- The Eiffel Tower Opens: The most famous event was the opening of the Eiffel Tower in Paris on March 31. Built as the entrance arch for the Exposition Universelle (World’s Fair) celebrating the centennial of the French Revolution, the 986-foot (300-meter) wrought-iron structure became the tallest man-made structure in the world at the time.
- The World’s Fair (Exposition Universelle): Held from May to October, the Paris fair celebrated modern achievements in art, architecture, and technology, with the Eiffel Tower and the colossal Galerie des machines showcasing the triumph of metal architecture.
- Founding of Nintendo: In Japan, Fusajiro Yamauchi founded Nintendo on September 23. It began as a company that produced handmade Hanafuda (Japanese playing cards), eventually evolving into the global video game giant it is today.
- The Wall Street Journal’s Debut: The first issue of The Wall Street Journal was published in New York City on July 8.
- Johns Hopkins Hospital Opens: A major milestone in American medicine occurred with the opening of Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore, Maryland, featuring a revolutionary approach to medical education and research.
Disasters and Social Change
- Johnstown Flood: On May 31, the South Fork Dam collapsed in western Pennsylvania, causing the catastrophic Johnstown Flood which swept away entire communities and killed more than 2,200 people.
- The Great Seattle Fire: On June 6, a fire ignited in a woodworking shop and destroyed nearly all of Seattle’s central business district and waterfront.
- The Oklahoma Land Run: On April 22, the U.S. government opened up two million acres of territory for settlement. At noon sharp, an estimated 50,000 people rushed into the unassigned lands to claim property, an event that led to the rapid formation of cities like Oklahoma City and Guthrie.
- Brazil Becomes a Republic: On November 15, a military coup d’état deposed Emperor Dom Pedro II, officially ending the Brazilian monarchy and proclaiming the Republic of Brazil.
- First Native American Woman to Graduate from Medical School: Dr. Susan La Flesche Picotte, of the Omaha Tribe, became the first Native American woman to graduate from medical school, finishing at the top of her class at the Woman’s Medical College of Pennsylvania.
The year also saw the birth of several notable figures, including future film star Charlie Chaplin and German dictator Adolf Hitler.
