- Feb 7 Astronomical Society of Pacific holds 1st meeting in San Francisco
- Feb 8 Flood ravages Dutch coast
- Feb 9 The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is established as a Cabinet-level agency.
- Feb 11 Meiji constitution of Japan adopted; 1st Diet convenes in 1890
- Feb 12 Caesar Franck's Symphony in D premieres
- Feb 12 Henrik Ibsen's "Fruen fra Haven" premieres in Oslo
- Feb 14 1st train load of fruit (oranges) leaves LA for east
- Feb 22 US President Cleveland signs bill to admit Dakotas, Montana & Washington state to the union