1888
Brazil Abolishes Slavery
Princess Isabel, regent while her father Dom Pedro II was in Europe, signed the Lei Aurea - the Golden Law - abolishing slavery in Brazil without compensation…
Kodak Launches
George Eastman began selling a pre-loaded box camera with the slogan "You press the button, we do the rest."
Wilhelm II Becomes Kaiser
Within ninety-nine days, three German emperors sat on the throne: old Wilhelm I died in March…
Jack the Ripper
The first of five canonical murders by an unknown killer in London's Whitechapel slums electrified the city and the new mass press.
Brazil Abolition Aftermath
With the Lei Aurea signed and seven hundred thousand enslaved people freed, Brazil's plantation oligarchy turned furiously against the monarchy…
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Frequently asked
What happened in the year 1888?
Saeculum lists 5 events from 1888. The most significant is Brazil Abolishes Slavery.
What era was 1888 part of?
1888 falls within the Industrial Age (1801-1900). Steam, empire, and the unmaking of the old order.
Which regions saw notable events in 1888?
The events from 1888 span South America, North America and Europe.