What Happened in 1868 — Events, Births & Deaths

Boshin War: The Battle of Toba–Fushimi begins, between forces of the Tokugawa shogunate and pro-Imperial factions; it will end in defeat for the shogunate, and is a pivotal point in the Meiji Restoration.

Pro-Imperial forces capture Osaka Castle from the Tokugawa shogunate and burn it to the ground.

Andrew Johnson becomes the first President of the United States to be impeached by the United States House of Representatives. He is later acquitted in the Senate.

Sakai incident: Japanese samurai kill 11 French sailors in the port of Sakai, Osaka.

At Arogee in Abyssinia, British and Indian forces defeat an army of Emperor Tewodros II. While 700 Ethiopians are killed and many more injured, only two British/Indian troops die.

Boshin War: The Battle of Utsunomiya Castle ends as former Tokugawa shogunate forces withdraw northward.

The United States Senate fails to convict President Andrew Johnson by one vote.

The 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution is ratified, guaranteeing African Americans full citizenship and all persons in the United States due process of law.

The 14th Amendment to the United States Constitution is certified, establishing African American citizenship and guaranteeing due process of law.

The 8.5–9.0 Mw Arica earthquake strikes southern Peru with a maximum Mercalli intensity of XI (Extreme), causing 25,000+ deaths and a destructive basin-wide tsunami that affected Hawaii and New Zealand.

French astronomer Pierre Janssen discovers helium.

La Gloriosa begins in Spain.

The Grito de Lares occurs in Puerto Rico against Spanish rule.

The Imperial Russian steam frigate Alexander Nevsky is shipwrecked off Jutland while carrying Grand Duke Alexei Alexandrovich of Russia.

The Battle of Alcolea causes Queen Isabella II of Spain to flee to France.

Cornell University holds opening day ceremonies; initial student enrollment is 412, the highest at any American university to that date.

The Ten Years' War begins against Spanish rule in Cuba.

The Uspenski Cathedral, designed by Aleksey Gornostayev, is inaugurated in Helsinki, Finland.

Camagüey, Cuba, revolts against Spain during the Ten Years' War.

American Indian Wars: Battle of Washita River: United States Army Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer leads an attack on Cheyenne living on reservation land.

The Greek Presidential Guard is established as the royal escort by King George I.

Pardons for ex-Confederates: United States President Andrew Johnson grants an unconditional pardon to all Confederate veterans.