1877Oct, 22
The Blantyre mining disaster in Scotland kills 207 miners.
The Blantyre mining disaster, which happened on the morning of 22 October 1877, in Blantyre, Scotland, was Scotland's worst ever mining accident. Pits No. 2 and No. 3 of William Dixon's Blantyre Colliery were the site of an explosion which killed 207 miners, the youngest being a boy of 11. It was known that firedamp was present in the pit and it is likely that this was ignited by a naked flame. The accident left 92 widows and 250 fatherless children.Blantyre was also the scene of two further disasters in 1878 and 1879. There was a succession of lesser fatalities, some of which—particularly in the earlier years—were caused by firedamp.
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Events on 1877
- 20Feb
Swan Lake
Tchaikovsky's ballet Swan Lake receives its premiere at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow. - 10May
Mihail Kogălniceanu
Romania declares itself independent from the Ottoman Empire following the Senate adoption of Mihail Kogălniceanu's Declaration of Independence. - 10Jul
Mayagüez, Puerto Rico
The then-villa of Mayagüez, Puerto Rico, formally receives its city charter from the Royal Crown of Spain. - 5Oct
Nez Perce people
Chief Joseph surrenders his Nez Perce band to General Nelson A. Miles. - 21Nov
Phonograph
Thomas Edison announces his invention of the phonograph, a machine that can record and play sound.