Yes, that's correct.  The American publication date, that is.  And it's
1885.  1884 (December) for the British publication.

When I teach HF in a spring semester, I try to make the course outline
work out so that we have a "toast" to HF 's publication in the U.S. on
that day or as close to it as possible.  Of course, a nonalcoholic toast.
One time I almost brought in a couple bottles of champagne.  Fortunately,
I regained my senses in time.  In addition to all the other reasons why
that would be a bad idea in any class in a public university, it was an
undergraduate class and half or more of the students were underage.  I'd
be writing this either from prison or from an undisclosed location.

The date is also, if I recall correctly, Toni Morrison's birthday.  A
fortuitous coincident, especially considering her unforgettable
introductory essay for the Oxford MT's volume of HF.

Terry