The year 1872 was a period of significant advancements and events across various fields, ranging from politics and science to culture and technology. This article highlights some of the most important occurrences of that year.
Politics and Law
United States Presidential Election: The United States held its presidential election, pitting incumbent Republican Ulysses S. Grant against Liberal Republican and Democratic candidate Horace Greeley. Grant won re-election by a significant margin, despite accusations of corruption within his administration. This victory secured him a second term in office.
"Credit Mobilier" Scandal: The "Credit Mobilier" scandal reached its peak, exposing widespread corruption among members of Congress who had accepted bribes in exchange for favorable treatment towards the Crédit Mobilier of America, a construction company involved in the building of the Union Pacific Railroad. The scandal significantly damaged the reputation of the Republican Party and raised concerns about the integrity of the government during the Reconstruction era.
The Yellowstone National Park: Yellowstone National Park was established as the first national park in the United States. The creation of Yellowstone was a landmark achievement in conservation and environmentalism.
Abolition of Feudal Domains in Japan: Japan continued its rapid modernization with the official abolition of feudal domains (han), replacing them with prefectures (ken), a key step in centralizing power under the Meiji government.
Science and Technology
Discovery of Hydrazine: German chemist Emil Fischer first synthesized hydrazine (N2H4), a highly reactive and toxic chemical compound with various applications.
Eadweard Muybridge's Horse in Motion Photography: Eadweard Muybridge began his pioneering photographic studies of animal locomotion, focusing initially on horses. These studies would lead to his development of sequential photography, a precursor to motion pictures, and significantly contribute to our understanding of animal movement.
First United States Patent for Chewing Gum: The first United States patent for chewing gum was issued to Amos Tyler for "Improved Chewing Gum".
Henry Draper Photograph: The first successful photograph of stellar spectra was obtained by Henry Draper, marking a significant advancement in the field of astronomical spectroscopy.
Culture
Publication of Erewhon: Samuel Butler published his satirical novel Erewhon, which explored themes of social and technological progress, often presenting them in an ironic and thought-provoking manner.
Impression, soleil levant exhibited: Claude Monet painted "Impression, soleil levant" ("Impression, Sunrise") during his stay in Le Havre, which later gives the Impressionism its name when exhibited in 1874.
Opening of the Metropolitan Museum of Art: The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City opened its doors to the public, becoming one of the most important art museums in the world. This marked a major milestone in the development of artistic and cultural institutions in the United States.
Other Significant Events
Birth of Piet Mondrian: Dutch painter Piet Mondrian, a pioneer of abstract art and a leading figure in the De Stijl movement, was born.
The Great Boston Fire: A major fire broke out in Boston, Massachusetts destroying a large portion of the city's downtown area.
These events highlight a year of significant political upheaval, scientific discovery, and cultural development. The United States in particular, faced challenges during reconstruction, yet also made strides in conservation and culture.