WHAT HAPPENED IN 1885.
Look what happened the 1885.

Twenty-five nations adopt Sandford Fleming's proposal for standard time (and also, time zones) (1. January 1885)

Beginning of the Battle of Nui Bop (3. January 1885)

A British force defeats a large Dervish army at the Battle of Abu Klea in the Sudan. (17. January 1885)

Troops loyal to The Mahdi conquer Khartoum, killing the Governor-General Charles George Gordon. (26. January 1885)

King Leopold II of Belgium establishes the Congo as a personal possession. (5. February 1885)

The first government-approved Japanese immigrants arrived in Hawaii. (8. February 1885)

The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain is published in the United States. (18. February 1885)

The newly completed Washington Monument is dedicated. (21. February 1885)

Sino-French War: French Army gains an important victory in the Battle of Đồng Đăng in the Tonkin region of Vietnam. (23. February 1885)

The American Telephone and Telegraph Company is incorporated in New York State as the subsidiary of American Bell Telephone. (American Bell would later merge with its subsidiary.) (28. February 1885)

Sino-French War: French victory in the Battle of Hoa Moc near Tuyen Quang, northern Vietnam. (2. March 1885)

The American Telephone & Telegraph Company is incorporated in New York. (3. March 1885)

Tonkin Campaign: France captures the citadel of Bắc Ninh (12. March 1885)

The Mikado, a light opera by W. S. Gilbert and Arthur Sullivan, receives its first public performance in London. (14. March 1885)

Louis Riel declares a Provisional Government in Saskatchewan, beginning the North-West Rebellion. (19. March 1885)

Sino-French War: Chinese victory in the Battle of Phu Lam Tao near Hung Hoa, northern Vietnam. (23. March 1885)

Sino-French War: Chinese victory in the Battle of Bang Bo on the Tonkin-Guangxi border. (24. March 1885)

The Métis people of the District of Saskatchewan under Louis Riel begin the North-West Rebellion against Canada. (26. March 1885)

The Battle for Kushka triggers the Panjdeh Incident which nearly gives rise to war between the British Empire and Russian Empire. (30. March 1885)

The United Kingdom establishes a protectorate over Bechuanaland. (31. March 1885)