26 October 1881

Wyatt Earp and Doc Holliday participate in the Gunfight at the O.K. Corral in Tombstone, Arizona

The Gunfight at the O.K. Corral was a 30-second shootout between lawmen and outlaws that took place on October 26, 1881, in Tombstone, Arizona Territory. It is one of the most famous events of the American Old West, symbolizing the lawlessness and violence often associated with that era. This gunfight involved well-known historical figures like Wyatt Earp, Doc Holliday, and members of the Clanton and McLaury families, who were accused of cattle rustling and other crimes.

Tombstone was a booming silver mining town in the late 1870s and early 1880s, attracting a wide array of people, from miners to gamblers, ranchers, and outlaws. The town was also a hotspot for tensions between cowboys (often involved in cattle rustling and lawlessness) and lawmen who aimed to impose order.

23 July 1881

The Boundary Treaty of 1881 between Chile and Argentina is signed in Buenos Aires.

The Boundary Treaty of 1881 between Chile and Argentina, also known as the Treaty of 1881, was an agreement signed on July 23, 1881, aimed at resolving territorial disputes between the two countries in the Patagonia region.

Defining the Boundary: The treaty established the boundary between Chile and Argentina from the Andes Mountains to the southernmost tip of South America. It defined the border along the highest peaks of the Andes that divide the waters flowing to the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans.

Specific Regions:
Northern Section: The boundary was defined from the 23rd parallel south to the 26th parallel south along the Andes Mountains.
Central Section: The boundary followed the watershed line of the Andes from the 26th parallel south to the 52nd parallel south.
Southern Section: South of the 52nd parallel, the boundary followed a more detailed line through the southern islands and channels, including Tierra del Fuego, where the island was divided between the two countries.

Tierra del Fuego: The island of Tierra del Fuego was divided along a meridian, giving the eastern part to Argentina and the western part to Chile, including the Strait of Magellan, which remained under Chilean sovereignty.

Recognition of Sovereignty: The treaty recognized Chile’s sovereignty over the Pacific Ocean side and Argentina’s sovereignty over the Atlantic Ocean side.

Peaceful Resolution: The treaty was intended to peacefully resolve disputes and prevent conflicts between the two nations, fostering cooperation and good relations.

27 February 1881

First Boer War: The Battle of Majuba Hill takes place.

The First Boer War, also known as the First Anglo-Boer War, took place from 1880 to 1881 in South Africa. It was fought between the British Empire and the Transvaal Republic (also known as the South African Republic), which was populated mainly by Boer settlers of Dutch descent.

Causes:

British Expansionism: The British were expanding their control over Southern Africa, and tensions arose as they encroached upon Boer territories.
Discontent among Boers: Boer settlers were dissatisfied with British rule and policies, such as taxation and attempts to limit their autonomy.
Conflicts over Land and Resources: There were disputes over land ownership and control of valuable resources like gold and diamonds.

Key Events:

Annexation of the Transvaal: In 1877, the British annexed the Transvaal, angering the Boers and sparking resistance.
Battle of Majuba Hill (1881): This was the decisive battle of the war. The Boers, led by Commandant-General Piet Joubert, achieved a surprising victory over the British forces commanded by Major-General Sir George Pomeroy Colley. The British suffered heavy casualties, and Colley himself was killed.
Peace Treaty: Following the Battle of Majuba Hill, negotiations led to the signing of the Pretoria Convention in 1881. Under the terms of the treaty, the British recognized the independence of the Transvaal, albeit with certain conditions.

Outcomes:

Independence of the Transvaal: The Transvaal regained its independence, albeit with British suzerainty.
Prelude to Further Conflict: While the First Boer War ended with a Boer victory, it didn’t resolve the underlying tensions between the British Empire and the Boer republics. This set the stage for the Second Boer War (1899-1902), which was much larger and more destructive.

2 February 1881

The sentences of the trial of the warlocks of Chiloé are imparted

The Warlocks of Chiloé, also known as “brujos” or “sorcerers,” are part of the folklore and mythology of Chiloé, an archipelago located in southern Chile. Chiloé has a rich cultural history that incorporates a blend of indigenous Mapuche beliefs and Spanish colonial influences.

According to Chilote folklore, the Warlocks are practitioners of a form of traditional magic that involves a deep connection with nature, spirits, and the supernatural. These sorcerers are believed to have the ability to control and manipulate natural forces, communicate with spirits, and cast spells for both good and malevolent purposes.

The mythology surrounding the Warlocks includes tales of shape-shifting abilities, where they can transform into animals, especially black cats or birds, to carry out their magical deeds. Additionally, it is said that these sorcerers often live in remote areas, such as deep forests or caves, where they perform their rituals and practices in secret.

The cultural significance of the Warlocks of Chiloé has been preserved through oral traditions, storytelling, and local customs. While the stories of the Warlocks are deeply rooted in Chilote folklore, it’s important to note that they are considered part of the region’s mythology and should be understood within the context of cultural beliefs rather than as historical or factual accounts.

4 December 1881

The Los Angeles Times is first published.

The Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper which has been published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It has the fourth-largest circulation among United States newspapers, and is the largest U.S. newspaper not headquartered on the east coast. The paper is known for its coverage of issues particularly salient to the U.S. west coast, such as immigration trends and natural disasters. It has won more than 40 Pulitzer Prizes for its coverage of these and other issues. As of June 18, 2018, ownership of the paper is controlled by Patrick Soon-Shiong, and the executive editor is Norman Pearlstine.

In the nineteenth century, the paper was known for its civic boosterism and opposition to unions, the latter of which led to the bombing of its headquarters in 1910. The paper’s profile grew substantially in the 1960s under publisher Otis Chandler, who adopted a more national focus. In recent decades, the paper’s readership has declined and it has been beset by a series of ownership changes, staff reductions, and other controversies. In January 2018, the paper’s staff voted to unionize, and in July 2018 the paper moved out of its historic downtown headquarters to a facility near Los Angeles International Airport.

The Times was first published on December 4, 1881, as the Los Angeles Daily Times under the direction of Nathan Cole Jr. and Thomas Gardiner. It was first printed at the Mirror printing plant, owned by Jesse Yarnell and T.J. Caystile. Unable to pay the printing bill, Cole and Gardiner turned the paper over to the Mirror Company. In the meantime, S. J. Mathes had joined the firm, and it was at his insistence that the Times continued publication. In July 1882, Harrison Gray Otis moved from Santa Barbara to become the paper’s editor. Otis made the Times a financial success.

Historian Kevin Starr wrote that Otis was a businessman “capable of manipulating the entire apparatus of politics and public opinion for his own enrichment”. Otis’s editorial policy was based on civic boosterism, extolling the virtues of Los Angeles and promoting its growth. Toward those ends, the paper supported efforts to expand the city’s water supply by acquiring the rights to the water supply of the distant Owens Valley.

The efforts of the Times to fight local unions led to the October 1, 1910 bombing of its headquarters, killing twenty-one people. Two union leaders, James and Joseph McNamara, were charged. The American Federation of Labor hired noted trial attorney Clarence Darrow to represent the brothers, who eventually pleaded guilty.

Otis fastened a bronze eagle on top of a high frieze of the new Times headquarters building designed by Gordon Kaufmann, proclaiming anew the credo written by his wife, Eliza: “Stand Fast, Stand Firm, Stand Sure, Stand True.