The 1890s

1891 135 years ago

A hurricane struck the Caribbean island of Martinique, killing about 700 people, injuring at least 1,000 others, and…

The 1891 Martinique hurricane, also known as Hurricane San Magín, was an intense major hurricane that struck the island of Martinique and caused massive damage. The third known hur…

A hurricane struck the Caribbean island of Martinique, killing about 700 people, injuring at least 1,000 others, and…

1890

The United States Census Bureau begins using Herman Hollerith's tabulating machine to count census returns

The United States Census Bureau, officially the Bureau of the Census, is a federal statistical agency responsible for producing data about the American people and economy, under th…

The United States Census Bureau begins using Herman Hollerith's tabulating machine to count census returns

1890

Canada and Bermuda are linked by telegraph cable.

Bermuda is a British Overseas Territory in the North Atlantic Ocean. The closest land outside the territory is in the US state of North Carolina, about 1,035 km (643 mi) to the wes…

Canada and Bermuda are linked by telegraph cable.

1890

The U.S. Congress passes the Sherman Antitrust Act.

The United States Congress is the legislative branch of the federal government of the United States. It is a bicameral legislature, including a lower body, the U.S. House of Repres…

The U.S. Congress passes the Sherman Antitrust Act.

1890

Idaho is admitted as the 43rd U.S. state.

Idaho is a landlocked state in the Pacific Northwest and Mountain West subregions of the Western United States. It borders Montana and Wyoming to the east, Nevada and Utah to the s…

Idaho is admitted as the 43rd U.S. state.

1890

Wyoming is admitted as the 44th U.S. state.

Wyoming is a landlocked state in the Mountain West subregion of the Western United States. It borders Montana to the north and northwest, South Dakota and Nebraska to the east, Ida…

Wyoming is admitted as the 44th U.S. state.

1890

In Buenos Aires, Argentina the Revolución del Parque takes place, forcing President Miguel Ángel Juárez Celman's…

Buenos Aires, officially the Autonomous City of Buenos Aires, is the capital and largest city of Argentina. It is located on the southwest of the Río de la Plata. Buenos Aires is c…

In Buenos Aires, Argentina the Revolución del Parque takes place, forcing President Miguel Ángel Juárez Celman's…

1890

Vincent van Gogh shoots himself and dies two days later.

Vincent Willem van Gogh was a Dutch Post-Impressionist painter who is among the most famous and influential figures in the history of Western art. In just over a decade he created …

Vincent van Gogh shoots himself and dies two days later.

1890

At Auburn Prison in New York, murderer William Kemmler becomes the first person to be executed by electric chair.

Auburn Correctional Facility is a state prison on State Street in Auburn, New York, United States. It was built on land that was once a Cayuga village. It is classified as a maximu…

At Auburn Prison in New York, murderer William Kemmler becomes the first person to be executed by electric chair.

1890

Anna Månsdotter, found guilty of the 1889 Yngsjö murder, became the last woman to be executed in…

The Yngsjö murder is the common name of one of Sweden's most notorious murder cases, which occurred on March 28, 1889, in Yngsjö, Skåne.

Anna Månsdotter, found guilty of the 1889 Yngsjö murder, became the last woman to be executed in…

1890

The strongest storm in Finnish history kills at least three people.

The August Storm of 1890 was the only hurricane-type storm considered in Finland. The storm known as the strongest in Finnish history struck on August 28, 1890, when Finland was a …

The strongest storm in Finnish history kills at least three people.

1890

Fred Root, English cricketer and umpire (died 1954)

Charles Frederick Root was an English cricketer who played for England in 1926 and for Derbyshire between 1910 and 1920 and for Worcestershire between 1921 and 1932.

Fred Root, English cricketer and umpire (died 1954)

1890

Gertrude Chandler Warner, American author and educator (died 1979)

Gertrude Chandler Warner was an American author, mainly of children's stories. She was most famous for writing the original book of The Boxcar Children and for the next 18 books in…

Gertrude Chandler Warner, American author and educator (died 1979)

1890

Maurice Duplessis, Canadian lawyer and politician, 16th Premier of Quebec (died 1959)

Maurice Le Noblet Duplessis,, popularly known as "Le Chef", was a Canadian lawyer and politician who served as the 16th premier of Quebec. A conservative, nationalist, populist, an…

Maurice Duplessis, Canadian lawyer and politician, 16th Premier of Quebec (died 1959)

1890

Adolf Schärf, Austrian soldier and politician, 6th President of Austria (died 1965)

Adolf Schärf was an Austrian politician of the Socialist Party of Austria (SPÖ). He served as the vice-chancellor from 1945 to 1957 and as the president of Austria from 1957 until …

Adolf Schärf, Austrian soldier and politician, 6th President of Austria (died 1965)

1890

Clelia Lollini, Italian physician (died 1963 or 1964)

Clelia Lollini was an Italian medical doctor. She helped to found the Medical Women's International Federation and the Italian Women's Medical Association.

Clelia Lollini, Italian physician (died 1963 or 1964)

1890

E

Edward Elmer Smith was an American food engineer and science-fiction author, best known for the Lensman and Skylark series. He is sometimes called the father of space opera.

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1890

Franklin Carmichael, Canadian painter (died 1945)

Franklin Carmichael was a Canadian artist and member of the Group of Seven. Though he was primarily famous for his use of watercolours, he also used oil paints, charcoal and other …

Franklin Carmichael, Canadian painter (died 1945)

1890

Christopher Morley, American journalist and author (died 1957)

Christopher Darlington Morley was an American journalist, novelist, essayist and poet. He also produced stage productions for a few years and gave college lectures.

Christopher Morley, American journalist and author (died 1957)

1890

Willie Applegarth, English-American sprinter (died 1958)

William Reuben Applegarth was a British track and field athlete and winner of a gold medal in the 4 × 100 metres relay at the 1912 Summer Olympics.

Willie Applegarth, English-American sprinter (died 1958)

1890

Helge Løvland, Norwegian decathlete (died 1984)

Helge Andreas Løvland was a Norwegian military officer, track and field athlete, sports official and writer. He won the gold medal in the decathlon at the 1920 Olympics. Løvland wa…

Helge Løvland, Norwegian decathlete (died 1984)

1890

Alfred Jodl, German general (died 1946)

Alfred Josef Ferdinand Jodl was a German military officer and convicted war criminal who served as the Chief of the Operations Staff of the Oberkommando der Wehrmacht – the German …

Alfred Jodl, German general (died 1946)

1890

Katherine Anne Porter, American short story writer, novelist, and essayist (died 1980)

Katherine Anne Porter was an American journalist, essayist, short story writer, novelist, poet, and political activist. Her 1962 novel Ship of Fools was the best-selling novel in t…

Katherine Anne Porter, American short story writer, novelist, and essayist (died 1980)

1890

Edith Grace White, American ichthyologist (died 1975)

Edith Grace White was an American zoologist known for her studies of elasmobranchs. She was a professor of biology at Wilson College, and was a research associate of the American M…

Edith Grace White, American ichthyologist (died 1975)