January 5
January 5
John Wesley Hardin kills over a card game
Angered over a card game dispute, 16‑year‑old John Wesley Hardin shoots Benjamin Bradley dead in the street. Although less famous than Billy the Kid, Jesse James, or Wyatt Earp, John…
A Year In History: 1870
This Year in History:
1870
Discover what happened in this year with HISTORY’s summaries of major events, anniversaries, famous births and notable deaths.
January 15
January 15
First appearance of the Democratic Party donkey
On January 15, 1870, the first recorded use of a donkey to represent the Democratic Party appears in Harper’s Weekly. Drawn by political illustrator Thomas Nast, the cartoon is entitled…
January 23
January 23
Soldiers massacre sleeping camp of Native Americans
Declaring he did not care whether or not it was the rebellious band of Native Americans he had been searching for, Major Eugene Baker orders his men to attack a sleeping camp…
February 25
February 25
First African American congressman sworn in
Hiram Rhodes Revels, a Republican from Natchez, Mississippi, is sworn into the U.S. Senate, becoming the first African American ever to sit in Congress. During the Civil War, Revels, a…
March 30
March 30
15th Amendment adopted
Following its ratification by the requisite three‑fourths of the states, the 15th Amendment, granting African American men the right to vote, is formally adopted into the U.S. Constitution. Passed by…
April 11
April 11
Lord Muncaster of Britain is kidnapped in Greece, nearly causing war
While visiting Marathon, Greece, Lord Muncaster of Britain is kidnapped by brigands, almost resulting in war. The pirates, led by Takos Arvanitakis, were experienced in kidnapping and had used it…
April 13
April 13
Metropolitan Museum of Art opens in New York City
On April 13, 1870 the Metropolitan Museum of Art is officially incorporated in New York City. The brainchild of American expatriates in Paris and a number of wealthy New Yorkers,…
June 5
June 5
Constantinople burns, killing thousands
A huge section of the city of Constantinople, Turkey, is set ablaze on June 5, 1870. When the smoke finally cleared, 9,000 homes were destroyed and 2,000 people were dead.…
October 12
October 12
Robert E. Lee dies
General Robert Edward Lee, the commander of the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia, dies at his home in Lexington, Virginia. He was 63 years old. Lee was born to Henry…
