What is 1870s?
{{decadebox|187}} The '''1870s''' was the decade that began on January 1, 1870 and ended on December 31, 1879. It is distinct from the decade known as the <nowiki>'''188st decade'''</nowiki> which began on January 1, 1871 and ended on December 31, 1880. == Events == * The invention of the [[telephone]] ([[1876]]) by [[Alexander Graham Bell]]. * The [[light bulb]] was invented. * The [[phonograph]] is invented in [[1877]] by [[Thomas Edison]]. * [[Ludwig Boltzmann]]'s statistical definition of [[thermodynamic entropy]] * [[Franco-Prussian War]] ([[1870]]–[[1871]]) results in the collapse of the [[Second French Empire]] and in the formation of both the [[French Third Republic]] and the [[German Empire]] * Continuing expansion of the [[British Empire]]; beginning of the [[New Imperialism]] * [[Bulgaria]] and [[Romania]] declare independence following the [[Russo-Turkish War (1877–1878)]] * In the [[United States]], continuation of post-[[American Civil War|Civil War]] [[reconstruction]] until its conclusion under President [[Rutherford B. Hayes]] in [[1877]] == World leaders == * Emperor [[Franz Josef of Austria|Franz Josef]] ([[Austria-Hungary]]) * Prime Minister Sir [[John A. Macdonald]] ([[Canada]]) * Prime Minister [[Alexander Mackenzie (politician)|Alexander Mackenzie]] ([[Canada]]) * Tongzhi Emperor ([[China]]) * [[Guangxu Emperor]] ([[China]]) * Emperor [[Wilhelm I of Germany|Wilhelm I]] ([[German Empire]]) * Chancellor [[Otto von Bismarck]] ([[German Empire]]) * King [[Victor Emmanuel II of Italy|Victor Emmanuel II]] ([[Italy]]) * King [[Umberto I of Italy|Umberto I]] ([[Italy]]) * Emperor [[Meiji Emperor|Meiji]] ([[Japan]]) * [[Pope Pius IX]] * [[Pope Leo XIII]] * Emperor [[Alexander II of Russia|Alexander II]] ([[Russia]]) * King [[Alfonso XII]] ([[Spain]]) * Queen [[Victoria of the United Kingdom|Victoria]] ([[United Kingdom]]) * Prime Minister [[William Ewart Gladstone]] ([[United Kingdom]]) * Prime Minister [[Benjamin Disraeli]] ([[United Kingdom]]) * President [[Ulysses S. Grant]] ([[United States]]