1891:
* Shearer's strike in Queensland, which would lead to the formation of the Labor Party. This also inspired Banjo Paterson's bush ballad, Waltzing Matilda.
* The United States Congress passes the International Copyright Act.
* Jesse W. Reno invents the escalator. Nathan Ames had previously patented a similar "revolving stairs" machine in 1859, but never actually built it. Reno would patent his 'escalator' in 1892.