Here is the answer. The event that triggered the civil service reform of the 1880s is the assassination of President James A. Garfield. This happened at <span>9:30 am on July 2, 1881, less than four months into </span>Garfield's<span> term as the 20th </span>President<span> of the United States. He was shot by </span><span>Charles J. Guiteau at the Baltimore and Potomac Railroad Station in Washington, D.C. Hope this helps.</span>
