1877

1877 was a common year in the Gregorian calendar. It was marked by major geopolitical conflicts, social upheaval, and notable technological advances that shaped events in the subsequent years.

In Europe and the Balkans, the Russo-Turkish War began in 1877 when the Russian Empire declared war on the Ottoman Empire. The conflict featured significant military engagements, including the siege of Pleven, and amplified movements for independence in the region. During the same year, the Kingdom of Romania proclaimed its independence from the Ottoman Empire, a declaration that would be acknowledged by the Great Powers following the subsequent peace settlements.

In the United States, 1877 saw a watershed labor confrontation and a turning point in national politics. The Great Railroad Strike of 1877 began in July after wage cuts by several railroads and spread across the country, highlighting tensions between labor and capital and prompting a heavy federal response in some areas. Politically, the Compromise of 1877 settled the disputed 1876 presidential election, leading to Rutherford B. Hayes’s inauguration and the withdrawal of federal troops from the South, effectively ending Reconstruction in practice.

In science and technology, Thomas Edison announced the invention of the phonograph in 1877, a device capable of recording and reproducing sound. This milestone laid the groundwork for later developments in audio recording and playback and marked a turning point in communications technology.

Overall, 1877 is remembered for its mix of international conflict, shifts in national governance, labor unrest, and advances in technology that influenced later social and political trajectories.