In London, a major engineering project begins to construct the Victorian Embankment along the Thames

On the banks of the River Thames in London, an inauguration ceremony was held to mark the commencement of the significant public works that would construct the Victoria Embankment on the north side of the river below the Houses of Parliament, from Westminster Bridge to Blackfriars Bridge. A western section in Chelsea, above Parliament had been completed earlier, in 1862. The entire project claimed significant marsh land from the Thames.  A further goal was the overall cleanup of the river waters themselves. (By John Osborne)