University of North Florida - Spring 2021

Statistics 117, Chapter 2 Report

Professor Miyamoto, Section 7

December 18, 2021

Events from the year 1889 in the United States. Four states—North Dakota, South Dakota,

Montana, and Washington—were created this year, making this the busiest year for state

creation since 1788. (Anderson, 2019)

Class Date: 24/3/2024

Instructor’s Note: Simplify complex sentences for better readability.

REPORT CONTENT:

## Background

== Incumbents ==

=== Federal government ===

President:

Grover Cleveland (D-New York) (until March 4)

Benjamin Harrison (R-Indiana) (starting March 4)

vacant (until March 4)

Levi P. Morton (R-New York) (starting March 4)

Chief Justice: Melville Fuller (Illinois)

Speaker of the House of Representatives:

John G. Carlisle (D-Kentucky) (until March 4)

Thomas Brackett Reed (R-Maine) (starting December 2)

Congress: 50th (until March 4), 51st (starting March 4)

== Events ==

=== January–March ===

January 1 – A total solar eclipse is seen over parts of California and Nevada. January 4 – An

Act to Regulate Appointments in the Marine Hospital Service of the United States is signed

by President Grover Cleveland. It establishes a Commissioned Corps of officers as a

predecessor to the current U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. January 15 – The

Coca-Cola Company, at this time known as the Pemberton Medicine Company, is

incorporated in Atlanta, Georgia.

## Analysis

January 22 – Columbia Phonograph is formed in Washington, DC. February 15 – The

Grover Cleveland signs the Enabling Act admitting North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana

and Washington as U.S. states. March – A German naval force shells a village in Samoa,

destroying some American property; three American warships enter the Samoan harbor

and prepare to fire on the three German warships found there. Before guns are fired, a

hurricane blows in and sinks all the ships, American and German.

## Discussion (List)

- A compulsory armistice is called because of the lack of warships.

- March 2 – Congress proclaims the entire Bering Sea, an important seal breeding area, to be

under US control.

- March 4 – Benjamin Harrison is sworn in as the 23rd president of the United States, and

Levi P. Morton is sworn in as the 22nd vice president of the United States.

- March 11

The North Carolina Legislature issues a charter for the creation of Elon College.

## Conclusion

Orange County, California is created. === April–June ===

April 22 – At high noon in Oklahoma Territory, thousands rush to claim land in the Land

Rush of 1889.

## Findings (List)
- Within hours the cities of Oklahoma City and Guthrie are formed, with populations of at

least 10,000.

- May 15 – In Samoa, 3 U.S. and 3 German ships sink in a typhoon because the captains

refuse to leave before the others; almost 200 drown.

- The British steamer Calliope saves itself by pushing into the wind with full speed.

- May 30 – A tornado crossing West Virginia kills two.

- May 31 – Johnstown Flood: The South Fork Dam collapses in western Pennsylvania, killing

more than 2,200 people in and around Johnstown, Pennsylvania.

## Background

June 3 – The first long distance electric power transmission line in the United States is

completed, running 14 miles between a generator at Willamette Falls and downtown

Portland, Oregon. June 6 – The Great Seattle Fire ravages through the downtown area

without any fatalities. === July–September ===

July 7 – Great Bakersfield Fire of 1889 devastates Bakersfield, California, destroying 196

buildings and killing one person. July 8

The first issue of The Wall Street Journal is published in New York City. The last official

bare-knuckle boxing title fight ever held as Heavyweight Champion John L. Sullivan, the

"Boston Strong Boy", defeats Jake Kilrain in a world championship bout lasting 75 rounds in

Mississippi.

## Analysis

August 1 – The New Hampshire Legislature issues a charter for incorporation of the Order
of Saint Benedict of New Hampshire, foundation of Saint Anselm College. September 18 –

The influential Hull House settlement house opens in Chicago. September – Sherman Day

Thacher opens The Thacher School, one of America's oldest and most unique boarding high

schools, to a small group of students in the mountains of Ojai, California. === October–

December ===

October 2 – The first International Conference of American States begins in Washington,

D.C.

November 2 – North Dakota and South Dakota become the 39th and 40th states,

respectively (see History of North Dakota) and (see History of South Dakota). November 8 –

Montana becomes the 41st state (see History of Montana).

## Discussion (List)

- November 11 – Washington becomes the 42nd state (see History of Washington (state)).

- November 14 – Pioneer woman journalist Nellie Bly (Elizabeth Cochrane) begins an

attempt to beat travel around the world in less than 80 days, inspired by Jules Verne (Bly

finishes the journey in 72 days, 6 hours and 11 minutes).

- November 23 – The first jukebox goes into operation at the Palais Royale Saloon in San

Francisco.

- November 27 – Clemson University is founded in Clemson, South Carolina.

- December 14 – Wofford and Furman play the first intercollegiate American football game

in the state of South Carolina.

## Conclusion (List)
- December 1–31 – With 15.80 inches (401.3 mm) of rainfall, Los Angeles has its wettest

calendar month since records began in 1877.

- === Undated ===

Brook trout are introduced into the upper Firehole River, Yellowstone National Park.

## Findings (List)

- The Indian Religious Code is created, which forbids Native Americans to practice their

religions.

References / Works Cited:

1. Wikipedia (n.d.). Retrieved from [Link]

2. Random Book Title (2022). Academic Publishing House.