The Gilded Age: A Brief History

A period of time featuring technological innovation and opulent wealth, the late 1800s in America was an era of change. Below, find out what was happening as new money, like the Russell family in the HBO Original The Gilded Age, started leaving its mark on American society.

1860s
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APRIL 9, 1865

The Civil War ends.

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MAY 10, 1869

Construction for the first transcontinental railroad is completed.

1870s
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1870s

The Gilded Age begins.

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1872

Joseph and Lyman Bloomingdale open the East Side Bazaar.

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1872

Christopher Latham Sholes invents the first practical typewriter.

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1873-1896

The Long Depression, a period of worldwide economic recession.

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MARCH 7, 1876

Alexander Graham Bell receives a patent for the first telephone.

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NOVEMBER 21, 1877

Thomas Edison announces the creation of the first cylinder phonograph.

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DECEMBER 31, 1879

Thomas Edison demonstrates the first practical incandescent light bulb.

1880s
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MAY 21, 1881

Clara Barton and other associates launch the American Red Cross.

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AUGUST 22, 1881

The American Red Cross establishes its first local chapter in Dansville, NY.

The Gilded Age series starts in 1882
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SEPTEMBER 4, 1882

Thomas Edison debuts the first power station on Pearl Street in New York City.

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MARCH 26, 1883

The Vanderbilts host an elaborate ball where hundreds of guests attend.

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OCTOBER 22, 1883

The Metropolitan Opera House opens on Broadway and 39th St.

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OCTOBER 28, 1886

The Statue of Liberty is dedicated.

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1886

Bloomingdale's moves to 59th St. and Lexington Ave.

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1888

George Eastman introduces the Kodak #1 camera, a simple box camera that came with a 100-exposure roll of film.

1890s
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1892

Vogue magazine is founded.

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FEBRUARY 16, 1892

The New York Times publishes "The Four Hundred" list.

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AUGUST 1892

A fire destroys The Metropolitan Opera House's interior, forcing it to close until November of the following year.

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1892

Ellis Island opens and serves as an immigration station.

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1893

The failure of Philadelphia and Reading Railroad and the National Cordage Company sets off the Panic of 1893.

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1895

The New York Public Library opens its doors to the public.

1990s
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