1882 - The Standard Oil Trust (monopoly) is secretly created in the United States to control multiple corporations set up by John D. Rockefeller and his associates.

The creation of the Standard Oil Trust in 1882 marked a significant development in the history of American business and industry. Prior to its formation, John D. Rockefeller had been steadily acquiring and consolidating oil refineries and companies across the United States. By 1882, his company, Standard Oil, controlled a significant portion of the oil refining capacity in the country.

To further solidify his control over the industry and to streamline operations, Rockefeller and his associates decided to reorganize their holdings into a single entity known as the Standard Oil Trust. This trust was a legal arrangement that allowed the various companies to retain their individual identities and operations but placed them under the control of a group of trustees, including Rockefeller.

The formation of the Standard Oil Trust was controversial. Critics argued that it represented an illegal monopoly that stifled competition and manipulated prices. In response to mounting public and political pressure, the U.S. government eventually took action against Standard Oil. In 1911, the Supreme Court ruled that Standard Oil was in violation of antitrust laws and ordered it to be broken up into several smaller companies.

Despite its eventual dissolution, the Standard Oil Trust had a lasting impact on the oil industry and on the development of antitrust laws in the United States. It also cemented Rockefeller's reputation as one of the most influential and controversial figures in American business history.