King Leopold II of Belgium establishes the Congo Free State as a personal possession. His harsh rule earned him infamy for atrocities against the native population and inspired the novel Heart of Darkness by the renowned British-Polish author Joseph Conrad.
Charles Gordon is sent to Khartom during a revolt by a Muslim leader to evacuate the British civilians. He remained to defend the city, but the city fell and he was killed.( “Khartoum”, 1966)
Grover Cleveland, a “Bourbon Democrat”, is elected President on a campaign of political reform so popular that the “Mugwumps”, like-minded Republicans, jumped party and voted for him.
Alexander II is assassinated near his St. Petersburg palace by a bomb, falsely blamed on Russian Jews. He is succeeded by his son, Alexander III. The ornate, Medieval-Russia styled Church of the Savior on Blood was built on the spot where the Tsar was mortally wounded.
British troops are massacred in the African Zulu war, but win victory after burning the capital of Zululand at Ulundi. Among those killed with the British, the “Prince Imperial” of France, great-nephew of Napoleon.
Frank Woolworth opens the first of his “five and ten cent” stores.
In the Anglo-Afghan war, the Treaty of Gandamak allows the Afghan tribes internal rule while the British act as buffer between the Raj in India and the Russian Empire.
In London, Scotland Yard is established.
Chinese migration to America, in response to the demand for cheap labor, reaches 120,000.
On January 1, Queen Victoria is proclaimed Empress of India. Charles George Gordon (“Chinese Gordon”), much respected British diplomat and general, becomes General-General in Anglo-Egyptian Sudan.
The US presidential election is finally decided in favor of Republican Hayes after a compromise.
Korea is forced to sign a treaty opening ports to Japanese trade, beginning the Japanese domination of Korea.
Carlist Wars in Spain end after four years: revolutionary military forces of Carlos VIII defeated and he goes into exile. King Alfonso XII enters Pamplona, historical capital of Navarre.
