The Statue of Liberty was dedicated by President Grover Cleveland on October 28th in a celebration preceded by New York City’s first-ever confetti – or ticker-tape – parade. The statue, a gift from the people of France, arrived 10 years late. It was meant to mark America’s 100th birthday in 1876. Medals were made for the occasion, but no coins. The oversight was corrected in 1986 when Uncle Sam issued three special commemorative coins for the centennial of the statue itself.

Among the year’s other big stories:

• Earlier in the year, Cleveland became the only sitting President ever wed in the White House when he married 21-year-old Frances Folsom. Cleveland was 49. It was a simple affair but far from quiet: John Philip Sousa and the Marine Band entertained.
•  Geronimo, chief of the Apaches, surrendered, ending the U.S. government’s last major Indian war.
• President Cleveland declared a state of emergency in Seattle following anti-Chinese violence.
• The first major earthquake recorded in the eastern United States rocked Charleston, South Carolina, killing 110 people.
• A hurricane and sea surge killed 250 people at Indianola, Texas.
• Karl Benz, a German mechanical engineer, designed and built the first practical automobile powered by an internal combustion engine. His name lives on as part of Mercedes-Benz.
• The American Federation of Labor (or AFL) was formed by 26 craft unions. Samuel Gompers was chosen as its president.
• The first cremation took place in England.

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