On This Day

Historical Events in January 1883

  • Jan 2 Battle of Boschberg takes place in South Africa as part of the Mapoch War
  • Jan 4 Ontario Rugby Football Union (forerunner of CFL) forms
  • Jan 6 Ontario Rugby Football Union forms
  • Jan 10 Fire at uninsured Newhall Hotel in Milwaukee, Wisconsin kills 71. General Tom Thumb of P. T. Barnum fame, escapes unhurt
  • Jan 13 Fire in Circus Ferroni in Berditschoft, Poland, kills 430

Theater Premiere

Jan 13 Henrik Ibsen's play "En Folkefiende" (An Enemy of the People) premieres in Oslo

Henrik Ibsen
Playwright Henrik Ibsen
  • Jan 16 Pendleton Act creates basis of US Civil Service system
  • Jan 16 Quebec Rugby Football Union forms

Historic Event

Jan 19 The first electric lighting system employing overhead wires, built by Thomas Edison, begins service at Roselle, New Jersey

Thomas Edison
Inventor Thomas Edison
  • Jan 20 Billy Barnes takes a hat-trick, England v Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground
  • Jan 22 England completes 1st innings victory in Tests vs. Australia at Melbourne Cricket Grounds
  • Jan 30 England team presented with ashes of a bail after Sydney Test

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