- March. The Korean Imperial Telegraphic Office (조선전보총국, 朝鮮電報總局) was opened for a more efficient management of the telegraphic lines operating in Korea. The office was in use until 1893, when it became into the Korean Imperial Telegraphic and Postal Office (전우총국, 電郵總局).EN
- The first electric light in Korea is lit in Gyeongbokgung.EN
- October. American missionary William B. Scranton establishes the first women's hospital, the Lillian Harris Memorial Hospital (보구여관,普救女館). Lillian Harris Memorial Hospital would become the predecessor to Ewha Womans University hospital. The hospital also operated the first medical class for women. One of the students went to the Woman's Medical College of Baltimore, becoming the first female doctor at Korea in 1900.EN
- 1885May. Presbyterianism is introduced to Chosun by Horace Grant Underwood. Many other Christian pastors came to Chosun, which became the fundamental background for religious freedom and equality between Koreans.
- 188511 October. The first Methodist church in Korea, Chungdong First Methodist Church, is established. The church's main chapel, built in 1897, is now the oldest extant church in Korea, and the only extant one built in the 19th century.
- 1885February. The first Royal Medical Clinic, the Gwanghyewon was opened with the introduction of modern medicine by Horace Newton Allen.
- 1885August. Establishment of the Baejae Hakdang by Henry Appenzeller. Although initially recognised as an 'Academy', it became a college in 1895.
- 1885July. The Korea-Chinese Cable Treaty (조청전선조약, 朝淸電線條約) is signed and enforced, leading to a telegraphic connection between Hanseong and Peking.
- 1885청과 일본의 톈진조약, 일본과 한성조약 체결, 영국군이 거문도를 불법으로 점령
- 1886May. Queen Min gave her patronage to the first all-girls' educational institution, Ewha Academy (이화학당, 梨花學堂), established in Seoul by American missionary, Mary F. Scranton. This institution later became the Ewha University.
- 1886September. The Yukyeong-gongwon (육영공원, 育英公院) is established. This was the first public school to be opened in Chosun.
- 1886February. Proclamation of abolishment of slavery inheritance within Chosun. This is the unofficial start of equalisation of people within the kingdom. It also paved the way for abolishment of slavery in the Gabo Reform.
- 188625th day, 1st month. The government newspaper Hansŏng jubo is established. It is the first newspaper written primarily in the Korean language (mixed script) and the first weekly newspaper in Korea.
- 1888February. 1888, General William McEntyre Dye and two other military instructors arrived from the US, followed in May by a fourth instructor. The Americans taught at the first modern military academy called the Yeonmu-gongwon (연무공원, 鍊武公院) and trained many Koreans.
- 1888May. Korea independently constructs the Southern Cable Line (남로전선, 南路電線), connecting Hanseong and Busan.
- 1889함경도에 방곡령 실시
| - 河南郑州下汛十堡(今惠济区花园口镇石桥村)发生黄河决口,致使200多万(一说93万;一说最保守估计150万;一说700万)人罹难。
- September — The Yellow River flood kills up to 2 million people and makes an additional 2 million homeless. At the time, it was the deadliest natural disaster ever recorded.EN
- 1885刘铭传任台湾省巡抚。台湾建立行省。
- 1889光绪亲政开始。张之洞任湖广总督,推动洋务运动。
| - 1885大阪事件
- 1885天津条約締結。内閣制度が発足し、太政官制廃止。山手線が開業。
- 1886ノルマントン号事件、学校令公布。
- 1886静岡事件
- 1888市制町村制施行。枢密院設置。
- 1889大日本帝国憲法発布、東海道本線全線開通、任天堂建立、熊本地震。
- 18891889年熊本地震
| - The United States Congress creates Interstate Commerce CommissionEN
- Dawes ActEN
- Crow WarEN
- Sonora earthquakeEN
- Thibodaux massacreEN
- Hatch ActEN
- 1885록스프링스 학살
- 1886干草市场事件
- 1886Statue of Liberty (Liberty Enlightening the World) dedicated
- 1886Charleston earthquake
- 1886American Federation of Labor founded in Columbus, Ohio
- 1886Haymarket Square Riot
- 1888National Geographic Society founded
- 1888U.S. presidential election, 1888: Benjamin Harrison elected president and Levi P. Morton vice president despite coming in second in the popular vote.
- 1888Publication of Looking Backward by Edward Bellamy
- 1888March 4, 1889 – Harrison becomes the 23rd president and Morton becomes the 22nd vice president
- 1889North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana and Washington become states
- 1889Johnstown Flood in Pennsylvania
- 1889Jane Addams founds Hull House
- 1889Wilcox rebellion of 1889
- 1889Centennial of the Constitution celebrated.
- 1889December 6, 1889 – Former Confederate president Jefferson Davis dies.
- 1889Oklahoma Land Rush (April 22, 1889)
- 1889During a speech given by Benjamin Harrison, he becomes the first U.S. president in history to have a voice recording.
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