The 15^th Amendment to the Constitution ratified, granting freedmen the right to vote.

John D. Rockefeller created the “South Improvement Company” and railroad interests to organize and control the petroleum industry.

The New York Sun breaks the Credit Moblier scandal of the Grant administration.

Modoc Indian War ended with the capture of “Captain Jack” and the Sioux War began when George Custer began the chase with the 7^th U.S. Cavalry.

Future President Herbert Hoover and his wife Lou Henry born.

Scottish-born engineer, inventor, and scientist Alexander Graham Bell made first sound transmission on his “acoustic telegraph,” secured a patent and eventually invents the telephone.

Republican Governor of Ohio and war hero, Rutherford B. Hayes elected President, though the outcome hung in the balance for several months. A whiff of scandal was in the air as the two parties sat down and worked out the result, with Florida holding the key to the outcome.

Reconstruction of the South is ended.

George Armstrong Custer and several companies of the 7^th Cavalry, while chasing Sioux and Cheyanne warriors, bit off more than they could chew and were wiped out at the Little Big Horn River.

Battles with Indians in the Indian wars continue in many places. Crazy Horse is murdered by soldier while in captivity.

Phonograph patented by Thomas Alva Edison of Milam, Ohio.

Thomas Edison demonstrates first practical light bulb.

Mary Baker Eddy founded the “Church of Christ, Scientist” in Boston.