Events December 24 - Giuseppe Verdi's Opera Aida premiers Published popular music "The Blue and the Gray" by James W. Long "Good Bye, Liza Jane" (anon) "The Little Church Around The Corner" w.m. Charles A. White "Reuben and Rachel" by William Gooch Musical theater Geneviève De Brabant London production The Mascot London production La Mascotte Vienna production Le Roi Carotte London production Thespis London production Opera Aida by Giuseppe Verdi Births June 17 - James Weldon Johnson, US songwriter, author, diplomat and educationalist Deaths May 12 - Daniel Auber