360What happened in 1883?
4 moments from 1883 on 360n60, each told in 60 words or fewer.
- On this day · 24 May 1883
New York's Brooklyn Bridge opens
On 24 May 1883, the Brooklyn Bridge opened across New York's East River, linking Manhattan and Brooklyn. Its central span of 486 m made it the longest suspension bridge in the world at the time, and the first to use steel wire cables. Emily Roebling helped oversee its completion.
- On this day · 27 August 1883
Krakatoa erupts
On 27 August 1883, the volcano Krakatoa in Indonesia exploded in one of the most violent eruptions in recorded history. The sound was heard about 4,800 km away. Huge waves killed more than 36,000 people, and ash in the sky caused vivid red sunsets around the world.
- On this day · 18 November 1883
Railways create standard time zones
On 18 November 1883, railways in the United States and Canada switched to standard time zones. Before then, towns kept their own local time, which made timetables confusing. The day was nicknamed 'the day of two noons'. A year later, the world chose Greenwich as the prime meridian.
- 1883 · from The 1880s: the motor car, time zones and the Eiffel Tower
Krakatoa erupts