Historical events from 1880 through 1889.
A violent Lake Michigan storm capsized the lumber-laden schooner Jennie Lynn near Chicago on May 21, 1883, drowning five sailors. The disaster was part of a night of extraordinary weather that wrecked multiple vessels bound for the city.
General Philip Sheridan’s condition became critically unstable as heart trouble returned with alarming severity. Four physicians maintained an anxious vigil as the Civil War hero’s pulse weakened despite powerful remedies.
Union veterans organized an elaborate political rally in Chicago featuring dramatic displays depicting Confederate soldiers threatening liberty. The demonstration reflected the deep sectional tensions still dividing America fifteen years after the Civil War’s end.
A military court of inquiry at West Point examined the wounds of Cadet Whittaker in dramatic proceedings that marked a watershed moment in military justice. The trial, featuring testimony from the colored cadet himself, captivated national attention.
Pierre Lorillard’s Iroquois became the first American-owned horse to win England’s prestigious Derby Stakes at Epsom. The victory produced great excitement and earned £32,250 for the American tobacco magnate.
Russian military officers crossed the frontier into Bulgaria in September 1883 as the Czar’s agents worked to overthrow Prince Alexander. The incident raised fears of a revival of the Eastern Question.
John L. Sullivan’s boxing supremacy faced its greatest challenge when his March 10, 1888 fight with Charlie Mitchell ended in a controversial draw after 39 brutal rounds. The result marked the first time Sullivan failed to definitively defeat an opponent.
Irish-American communities organized memorial services for Patrick O’Donnell, executed in London in December 1883. The commemorative events included a mock funeral and fundraising for a permanent monument.
