June - Following the shooting death of a white man, African-American Smith Williams is taken from the Burlington Jail and lynched.
Kentucky
March 3 - The bizarre Kentucky Meat Shower takes place in Bath County, where what appear to be flakes of red meat fall from the sky.
U.S. & World
May 10 - The Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition opens. Exhibits include the telephone, the phonograph, and a sneak peek at the Statue of Liberty, still in progress.
June 25-26 - General Custer and the 7th U.S. Cavalry are routed at the Battle of Little Bighorn.
Queen Victoria adds 'Empress of India' to her titles.