Historical Events in February 1879

  • Feb 5 Joseph Swan demonstrates light bulb using carbon glow
  • Feb 8 Sandford Fleming first proposes adoption of Universal Standard Time at a meeting of the Royal Canadian Institute.
  • Feb 10 1st electric arc light used (California Theater)

Event of interestEvent of Interest

Feb 10 Henry Morton Stanley departs for the Congo

Journalist and Explorer Henry Morton Stanley
Journalist and Explorer
Henry Morton Stanley
  • Feb 12 1st artificial ice rink in North America (Madison Square Garden, NYC)
  • Feb 12 News about slaughtering of Isandlwana reaches London
  • Feb 14 Chilean troops occupy Antofagasta
  • Feb 15 US Congress authorizes women lawyers to practise before Supreme Court
  • Feb 18 Arabs capture Egyptian premier Nabar Pasha

Event of interestEvent of Interest

Feb 18 Sculptor Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi is awarded a patent for his design for the Statue of Liberty

Sculptor Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi
Sculptor
Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi
  • Feb 22 1st 5 cent & 10 cent store opened by Frank W. Woolworth in Utica, New York (failed almost immediately)
  • Feb 25 US Congress passed 1st Timberland Protection Act
  • Feb 27 Constantine Fahlberg discovers saccharin (artificial sweetener)
  • Feb 28 "Exodus of 1879" southern blacks flee political and economic exploitation