The Amateur Athletics Club (AAC) is founded and becomes the governing body of athletics in the United Kingdom, hosting the first national championships and introducing a definition of "amateur" that will determine eligibility for athletics competitions until the late 20th century.
6 August — Jem Mace defeats Joe Goss in the 21st round and reclaims the vacant English Championship.[1]
19 September — Mike McCoole defeats Bill Davis in the 34th round at Rhodes Point, near St Louis, and underlines his claim to the American Championship.[2] The third claimant Jimmy Elliott does not fight anyone this year.[3]
The American schooners Vesta, Henrietta and Fleetwing cross the Atlantic Ocean from Sandy Hook to the Needles, Isle of Wight in the first organised offshore race. The Henrietta, owned by 21-year-old James Gordon Bennett, Jr., and captained by Samuel S. Samuels won the race in 13 days, 21 hours and 55 minutes.