The year 1873 was marked by significant events across the globe, ranging from economic turmoil and political shifts to scientific discoveries and cultural milestones. This article highlights some of the most important occurrences of that year.
Politics and Law
Panic of 1873 The collapse of Jay Cooke & Company, a major Philadelphia bank heavily invested in railroad construction, triggered a severe economic depression in the United States. This crisis, known as the Panic of 1873, led to bank failures, business bankruptcies, and widespread unemployment, significantly impacting the American economy for several years.
Slaughterhouse Cases: The United States Supreme Court delivered its ruling in the Slaughterhouse Cases, which significantly narrowed the scope of the Fourteenth Amendment's protection of individual rights against state infringement. This ruling had lasting implications for the interpretation of civil rights in America.
Modoc War Ends: The Modoc War, a conflict between the Modoc people and the United States Army in California and Oregon, concluded with the capture and execution of Modoc leaders. This marked the end of organized Modoc resistance to federal control.
Spain Declares a Republic: Facing political instability and social unrest, Spain declared a republic in February, marking the end of the reign of King Amadeo I. This First Spanish Republic was short-lived, lasting only until 1874.
The Three Emperors' League: Otto von Bismarck orchestrated the formation of the Three Emperors' League between Germany, Austria-Hungary, and Russia. This alliance aimed to maintain peace in Europe by isolating France.
Science and Technology
Discovery of Nitrous Oxide Anesthesia: British chemist Joseph Priestley's earlier discovery of nitrous oxide began to be recognized for its practical use as an anesthetic in dentistry and medicine.
Ernst Abbe Develops the Abbe Sine Condition: German physicist Ernst Abbe developed the Abbe sine condition, a mathematical formula used to optimize the design of optical lenses and reduce aberrations. This advancement significantly improved the quality of microscope and telescope lenses.
First Practical Typewriter: Christopher Latham Sholes, Carlos Glidden, and James Densmore developed the Sholes and Glidden typewriter, considered the first commercially successful typewriter. E. Remington and Sons began manufacturing it, marking a turning point in office technology.
Van der Waals Equation: Dutch physicist Johannes Diderik van der Waals formulated the Van der Waals equation, a state equation that corrects the ideal gas law by taking into account the volume and intermolecular forces of gas particles.
Culture
Publication of Around the World in Eighty Days: Jules Verne's adventure novel Around the World in Eighty Days was first published, captivating readers with its tale of Phileas Fogg's daring circumnavigation of the globe.
Publication of The Story of a Bad Boy: Thomas Bailey Aldrich's semi-autobiographical novel The Story of a Bad Boy was published, becoming a popular example of boys' literature in the United States.
Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis Receive Patent for Riveted Work Pants: Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis received a United States patent for their design of riveted work pants, which would eventually become known as jeans. This innovation provided greater durability for laborers' clothing and launched the iconic Levi's brand.
Founding of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU): The Woman's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) was founded in Hillsboro, Ohio, marking the beginning of a significant organized movement dedicated to the cause of temperance and various social reforms.
Other Notable Events
Great Green Lake Railway Disaster: A significant railway accident occurred at Great Green Lake, Wisconsin, in which multiple casualties and injuries occurred.
This summary represents some of the key events that shaped the year 1873. Each development, whether political, scientific, or cultural, left a lasting impact on the world and set the stage for future advancements and changes.