Deaths on February 15

Gregor von Helmersen, Estonian-Russian geologist and engineer (b. 1803)

Gregor von Helmersen (11 October [O.S. 29 September] 1803 – 15 February [O.S. 3 February] 1885) was a Baltic German geologist.

24 Apr

Buffalo Bill's Wild West
American sharpshooter Annie Oakley is hired by Nate Salsbury to be a part of Buffalo Bill's Wild West.
2 May

Léopold II of Belgium
The Congo Free State is established by King Léopold II of Belgium.
3 Jun

Big Bear
In the last military engagement fought on Canadian soil, the Cree leader, Big Bear, escapes the North-West Mounted Police.
6 Jul

Rabies
Louis Pasteur successfully tests his vaccine against rabies on Joseph Meister, a boy who was bitten by a rabid dog.
29 Aug

Internal combustion
Gottlieb Daimler patents the world's first internal combustion motorcycle, the Reitwagen.