1888
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| year 1888 |
Events
- January 13 – The National Geographic Society is founded in Washington, D.C.
- February 6 – Gillis Bildt becomes Prime Minister of Sweden (1888–1889).
- March 9 – Wilhelm I dies, Frederick III becomes German Emperor and King of Prussia.
- March 13 – De Beers Consolidated Mines Ltd. is founded in Kimberley.
rnational Congress for Women's Rights organized by Susan B. Anthony in Washington, D.C., leading to formation of the International Council of Women, a key event in the international women's movement.
- April 16 – The German Empire annexes the island of Nauru.
- May 12 – The North Borneo Chartered Company's territories (including Sabah) become the British protectorate of North Borneo.
- June 14 – The White Rajahs territories become the British protectorate of Sarawak.
- June 15 – Wilhelm II becomes German Emperor and King of Prussia; 1888 is the Year of the Three Emperors.
- October 9 – The Washington Monument officially opens to the general public, in Washington, D.C.[
- October 30 – The Rudd Concession, a written concession for exclusive mining rights in Matabeleland, Mashonaland and adjoining territories, is granted by King Lobengula of Matabeleland to Charles Rudd, James Rochfort Maguire and Francis Thompson, who are acting on behalf of South African-based politician and businessman Cecil Rhodes, providing a basis for white settlement of Rhodesia.
- November 6 – 1888 United States presidential election: Democratic Party incumbent Grover Cleveland wins the popular vote, but loses the Electoral College vote to Republican challenger Benjamin Harrison, therefore losing the election.
- November 9 – Whitechapel murders: The mutilated body of London prostitute Mary Jane Kelly is found. She is considered to be the fifth, and last, of Jack the Ripper's victims. A number of similar murders in England follow, but the police attribute them to copy-cat killers.