1878

Events

### Politics and World Affairs

* **Russo-Ottoman War**: The Russians succeed in capturing an Ottoman army at the embattled Schipkapass on January 9, allowing the victors to advance to Rumelia.
* **Russian-Turkish war (1877-1878)**: Sofia is freed from the Ottoman yoke on January 4.

### Balkans/Ottoman Empire

* The Russians capture an Ottoman army at the embattled Schipkapass, allowing them to advance to Rumelia on January 9.
* February 2 – The Greek People living in the territory of Greece today started footing against the Ottoman Empire.
* March 3 – Ayastefanos Treated.

### Europe

* **Italy**: Umbert I becomes King of Italy on January 9.
* **Everton Football Club**: Christian groups founded the Everton Football Club in Liverpool, UK on January 1.

### Africa

* **Zanzibar**: Ernest Cambier took the lead in an expedition to East Africa organized by the African International Association after the death of Arnold Maes and Louis Crespel. The expedition reached Lake Tanganyika in September (end of 1879).
* **Madagascar**: Institution of courts on February 21.
* **Walvis Bay**: Becomes a British colony on March 12.
* **French Exploration**: Paul Soleillet left from Saint-Louis of Senegal for Ségou, where he concluded a treaty of commerce and friendship with Sultan Ahmadou, son of El Hadj Omar. He stayed from October 1878 to January 1879.

### Oceania

* No notable events mentioned in the provided sources.

Notes

* 1878 is a common year that begins on a Tuesday according to the Gregorian calendar.
* The year 1878 saw significant events in politics, war, and exploration around the world.