Rutherford Hayes is elected president of the United States.

[12/6] Hayes (R) is declared the winner on March 2, 1877, despite losing the popular vote to Samuel Tilden (D). The outcome is settled by what comes to be called the Compromise of 1877, through which Southern Democrats agree not to block Hayes from assuming office in return for withdraw of all federal troops from the South, bringing an end to the Reconstruction era. Hayes serves a single term.