1879 Facts for Kids

Millennium:	2nd millennium
Centuries:	18th century – 19th century – 20th century
Decades:	1840s 1850s 1860s – 1870s – 1880s 1890s 1900s
Years:	1876 1877 1878 – 1879 – 1880 1881 1882

The year 1879 was a time of exciting changes and important events around the world. People were making new discoveries, and many famous individuals were born or passed away. Let's take a look at what happened in this interesting year.

Big Events of 1879
Famous People Born in 1879
Important People Who Passed Away in 1879
Images for kids
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Big Events of 1879

A Bright Idea: The Light Bulb!

In 1879, the famous inventor Thomas Edison created something that changed the world forever: the light bulb. This invention made it possible to light up homes and streets without using gas lamps or candles. It was a huge step forward for technology!

President Hayes Speaks to the Nation

Rutherford B. Hayes was the President of the United States in 1879. He gave his annual State of the Union Address. This is a special speech where the President talks about how the country is doing and what plans they have for the future.

Famous People Born in 1879

Many important people who would later make a big difference were born in 1879.

August 8 – Emiliano Zapata: He became a very important leader in the Mexican Revolution. He fought for the rights of farmers and poor people in Mexico.
November 7 – Leon Trotsky: Born in Ukraine, he was a key figure in the Russian Revolution. He was a thinker and a leader who believed in Marxism, a way of thinking about how society should be organized.
Albert Einstein: One of the most famous scientists ever! He developed the theory of relativity, which changed how we understand space, time, and gravity.
Samuel Goldwyn: He became a very successful movie producer in Hollywood. He helped create some of the earliest and most famous films.
Simon Rodia: He was an artist who created the amazing Watts Towers in Los Angeles. These are tall, unique sculptures made from steel, concrete, and found objects.

Important People Who Passed Away in 1879

The year 1879 also saw the passing of several notable individuals.

February 11 – Honoré Daumier: A talented French artist known for his cartoons and paintings. He often made fun of politicians and society in his art.
February 23 – Albrecht von Roon: He was the Minister President of Prussia, which means he was like the head of government for a powerful German state.
March 1 – Joachim Heer: A Swiss politician who served as the President of the Swiss Confederation.
March 30 – Thomas Couture: A French painter and a respected teacher of art. Many other famous artists learned from him.
April 30 – Sarah Josepha Hale: An American writer who is famous for writing the nursery rhyme "Mary Had a Little Lamb." She also worked to make Thanksgiving a national holiday.
June 1 – Napoleon Eugene, Prince Imperial: He was the son of French Emperor Napoléon III. He was a prince who died young while serving in the military.
June 27 – John Lawrence: A British administrator who played a big role in governing India when it was part of the British Empire.
August 30 – John Bell Hood: An American general who fought for the Confederate side during the American Civil War.
November 5 – James Clerk Maxwell: A brilliant Scottish physicist. He made huge discoveries about electricity and magnetism, which are still used today.
August 11 – George Willison Adams: An abolitionist from Ohio. Abolitionists were people who worked to end slavery.