On This Day

Historical Events in December 1878

  • Dec 1 1st White House telephone installed
  • Dec 3 Settlers arrive at Petach Tikvah, Israel
  • Dec 9 Joseph Pulitzer buys St Louis Dispatch for $2,500

Declaration of WarAnglo-Zulu War

Dec 11 Anglo-Zulu War: British high commissioner Henry Bartle Frere presents an ultimatum to the Zulu Kingdom to submit to British rule or face war

Learn More
Napoleon, Prince Imperial, head of the House of Bonaparte, is killed during the Anglo-Zulu War
Napoleon, Prince Imperial, head of the House of Bonaparte, is killed during the Anglo-Zulu War
Learn More
  • Dec 12 Joseph Pulitzer begins publishing "St Louis Dispatch"
  • Dec 18 French SS Byzantin sinks after collision in Dardanelles, 210 killed
  • Dec 18 John Kehoe, the last of the Molly Maguires, is executed in Pennsylvania
  • Dec 26 1st US store to install electric lights, Philadelphia

BeatificationCatholic Encyclical

Dec 28 Pope Leo XIII publishes encyclical Quod apostolici muneris (socialism)

256th Pope Leo XIII
256th Pope
Leo XIII


Search the largest, most accurate site for today in history.