What Happened This Year 1888

Historical Events from This Year 1888

Politics & Government

Matabeleland Grants Rudd Concession to Rhodes

October 30th, 1888 136 years ago

On this day, leaders of Matabeleland, particularly King Lobengula, granted the Rudd Concession to agents of Cecil Rhodes. This concession allowed for mineral exploration and the establishment of British control over Zimbabwean resources. The agreement was significant in the expansion of British colonial interests in southern Africa and set the stage for increased tensions with local communities.

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Crime & Law

Mary Jane Kelly Murdered by Jack the Ripper

November 9th, 1888 136 years ago

Mary Jane Kelly, the final canonical victim of Jack the Ripper, was murdered in her room at 13 Miller's Court, Dorset Street, in Whitechapel, London. On the morning of November 9, her body was discovered by her landlord, who had been sent by neighbors to check on her after she had not been seen. The gruesome nature of the crime, featuring extensive mutilation, shocked the public and intensified the hysteria surrounding the Ripper's identity.

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Social Movements & Civil Rights

The Birth of the Faroese Independence Movement

December 22nd, 1888 136 years ago

In December 1888, a significant meeting took place in the Faroe Islands, marking the inception of a formal push for independence from Denmark. Local politicians, including the prominent leader J. E. A. Løvskar, gathered to discuss and strategize the future political direction of the islands. The meeting emphasized a drive toward greater self-governance and cultural autonomy. Attendees articulated their aspirations for a Faroese legislative body and highlighted the importance of preserving the unique cultural identity of the islands. It laid essential groundwork for the ongoing struggle for Faroese independence and increased political engagement among the populace.

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