1886

1886 was a year in the late 19th century marked by significant technological, social, and cultural developments across several regions. It reflected ongoing industrial growth and the rising organization of labor, alongside notable contributions to science, commerce, and international relations.

In the United States, the dedication of the Statue of Liberty took place in New York Harbor on October 28. The statue, a gift from France to celebrate Franco-American friendship and the idea of liberty, was designed by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi and engineered by Gustave Eiffel. The monument became an enduring symbol of immigration and American ideals.

The year also saw important labor unrest. The Haymarket affair occurred on May 4 in Chicago, during a rally for an eight-hour workday. A bomb was thrown, resulting in deaths and a controversial set of trials that influenced labor movements around the world and shaped public perception of unions and dissent.

In technology, Karl Benz received a patent for the Benz Patent-Motorwagen on January 29, 1886, which is commonly regarded as one of the first automobiles powered by an internal combustion engine. This development helped launch practical motorized transportation and the broader automotive industry.

Economically and organizationally, the American Federation of Labor (AFL) was founded in December 1886 in Columbus, Ohio, by Samuel Gompers. The AFL emphasized craft unions and collective bargaining, contributing to the evolution of organized labor in the United States.

Culturally and commercially, Coca-Cola was created by John Stith Pemberton and first sold in May 1886 in Atlanta, Georgia. The beverage rapidly grew into a global brand and became a notable element of consumer culture in the following decades.