- Dec 11 French Panama Canal Company fails
- Dec 18 Richard Wetherill and his brother in-law discover the ancient Anasazi ruins of Mesa Verde, Colorado
Historic Expedition
Dec 19 Henry Morton Stanley's expedition reaches Fort Bodo, East-Africa
Boxing Title Fight
Dec 22 Heavyweight boxing champ John L. Sullivan challenges Jake Kilrain
Historic Event
Dec 23 Vincent van Gogh cuts off his left ear with a razor, after argument with fellow painter Paul Gauguin, and sends to a prostitute for safe keeping