On This Day

Historical Events in January 1879

Event of interestEvent of Interest

Jan 1 Johannes Brahms' Violin Concerto in D major premieres in Leipzig

Composer and Conductor Johannes Brahms
Composer and Conductor
Johannes Brahms

Event of interestEvent of Interest

Jan 2 Australian fast bowler Fred Spofforth dismisses 3 English batsmen with consecutive deliveries during the 3rd Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground for Test cricket's first "hat-trick"

Cricketer Fred Spofforth
Cricketer
Fred Spofforth
  • Jan 2 British battleship Thunder explodes in Gulf of Ismid, 9 die
  • Jan 2 Dr Benjamin Mays, named president of Atlanta Board of Education
  • Jan 9 Cheyenne prisoners led by Dull Knife revolt at Ft Robinson
  • Jan 9 Kirland Warbler discovered on Andros Island in Bahamas

Declaration of WarAnglo-Zulu War

Jan 11 Anglo-Zulu War begins as British Lt-General Chelmsford invades Zululand in South Africa

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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
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  • Jan 16 January record 13" of snow falls in NYC (broken Jan 7, 1996)
  • Jan 20 British troops under Lord Chelmsford make camp at Isandlwana

Event of interestEvent of Interest

Jan 21 Henrik Ibsen's "Et Dukkehjem" premieres in Copenhagen

Playwright Henrik Ibsen
Playwright
Henrik Ibsen
  • Jan 22 Zulu warriors attack British Army camp in Isandhlwana, South Africa
  • Jan 22 James Shields (D) elected US senator from Missouri after previously serving as US senator from Illinois & Minnesota

The British: 139. Zulu Warriors: 4,000. Let Battle BeginThe British: 139. Zulu Warriors: 4,000. Let Battle Begin

Jan 22 Battle of Rorke's Drift: British garrison of 150 holds off 3,000-4,000 Zulu warriors. Eleven Victoria Crosses and a number of other decorations were awarded to the defenders.

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Young officer Michael Caine awaits the attack of Zulu warriors in the 1964 movie
Young officer Michael Caine awaits the attack of Zulu warriors in the 1964 movie
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  • Jan 23 US National Archery Association forms in Crawfordsville, Indiana
  • Jan 25 The Bulgarian National Bank is founded

BattleBattle of Interest

Jan 29 Custer Battlefield National Monument established in Montana

Union General George Armstrong Custer
Union General
George Armstrong Custer
  • Jan 30 French President Patrice de Mac-Mahon resigns

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