12th January » Yohannes IV of Ethiopia called Yohannes IV is crowned Emperor of Ethiopia in Axum, the first imperial coronation in that city in over 200 years.
20th February » In New York City the Metropolitan Museum of Art opens.
22nd February » The Prohibition Party holds its first national convention in Columbus, Ohio, nominating James Black (prohibitionist) named James Black as its presidential nominee.
5th March » George Westinghouse patents the air brake (rail) called air brake.
11th March » Construction of the Seven Sisters, Wales or Seven Sisters Colliery, South Wales, begins; located on one of the richest coal sources in Britain.
16th March » The Wanderers F.C. won the first FA Cup, the oldest association football known as football competition in the world, beating Royal Engineers A.F.C. 1-0 at The Oval in Kennington, London.
22nd March » Illinois becomes the first state to require sexual equality in employment
10th April » The first Arbor Day is celebrated in Nebraska.
10th May » Victoria Woodhull becomes the first woman nominated for President of the United States.
22nd May » Reconstruction Era called Reconstruction: President of the United States e.g U.S. President Ulysses S. Grant signs the Amnesty Act into law restoring full civil and political rights to all but about 500 Confederate sympathizers.
29th November » American Indian Wars: The Modoc War begins with the Battle of Lost River.
30th November » The Scotland v England (1872) first-ever international football match takes place at Hamilton Crescent, Glasgow, between Scotland national football team Scotland and England national football team England.
4th December » The crewless United States American ship ship Mary Celeste is found by the United Kingdom British brig 'Dei Gratia'. The ship had been abandoned for nine days but was only slightly damaged.
9th December » In Louisiana, P. B. S. Pinchback becomes the first serving African-American governor of a U.S. state.
21st December » Challenger expedition: HMS Challenger 1858 6, commanded by Captain George Nares, sails from Portsmouth Portsmouth, England.