1820 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
PoliticsFirst Political Parties: James Monroe (1758-1831) is re-elected to a second term as President of the U.S. on the Democratic-Republican ticket, defeating John Quincy Adams; John C. Calhoun (1782-1850) is elected the nation's 7th Vice President. GovernmentSlavery: Congress passes the Missouri Compromise, admitting Maine into the Union as a free state and Missouri as a slave state;
slavery becomes excluded from the Union north of the Mason-Dixon Line.
GovernmentThe Public Land Act lowers the cost of western lands to $1.25 an acre, in the hope of encouraging settlement of the West. GovernmentNew State: Maine becomes the 23rd state to join the Union. | ScienceAndre Marie Ampere (1775-1836), French physicist, discovers the basic processes of electric currents. MedicineThe New York Eye Infirmary is founded. InventionsAn improved plow and cultivator is invented by Henry Burden (1791-1871) of New York. | EducationMassachusetts physician John Gorham (1783-1829) publishes a 2-volume textbook, "Elements of Chemical Science," which is the standard for years.EducationPublic Education: First public high school in the U.S., Boston English, opens.Arts and LettersPoetry: John Keats (1795-1821) writes "Ode on a Grecian Urn" and "Ode to a Nightingale." Arts and LettersLiterature: Sir Walter Scott (1771-1832) publishes "Ivanhoe."Arts and LettersPoetry: Percy Bysshe Shelly (1792-1827) writes "Prometheus Unbound."IdeasThomas Malthus (1766-1834) writes "Principles of Political Economy." | Monroe, ElizabethWhite House Wedding: Elizabeth Monroe (1768-1830) is the first First Lady to have a daughter (Maria Hester Monroe) married in the White House.Tyler, JuliaJulia Gardiner (1820-1889), second wife of John Tyler (1790–1862), is born on Gardiner’s Island in New York. She is the third of ten First Ladies born in New York, the "mother state" of presidential wives.Taylor, MargaretOctavia Pannel Taylor (1816-1820), daughter of Zachary and Margaret Taylor, dies July 8 of malaria.Taylor, MargaretMargaret Smith Taylor (1819-1820), daughter of Zachary and Margaret Taylor, dies October 22 from malaria three months after the death of her sister.Fillmore, AbigailWhile teaching in New Hope, Abigail Fillmore (1798-1853) begins a campaign to raise funds for the first circulating library in New York. | EconomicsThe percentage of people working in agriculture begins to decline as family farms are gobbled up by larger agricultural businesses. At the same time, cities grow tremendously, fueled by new manufacturing industries.EconomicsA canning factory is opened in Boston by William Underwood.DiscoveryNathanial Palmer becomes the first person to actually see the land mass of Antartica. DiscoveryThe statue of the Venus de Milo (c. 150 B.C.) is discovered in Melos.DiscoveryPlatinum is discovered in the Russian Ural Mountains.DiscoveryMajor Stephen Long (1784-1864) leads an expedition from Pittsburgh, exploring the area between the Missouri River and the Rocky Mountains. | Popular CultureThe short story as a literary form is introduced by Washington Irving (1783-1859) with the publication of "The Sketch Book," which includes “Rip Van Winkle” and “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow.” | ReligionThe Jesuits are driven out of Rome.ReligionThe music for the hymn “Silent Night, Holy Night,” is composed by Franz Xaver Huber to words written by the young curate, Joseph Mohr. Social IssuesSlavery: 86 Blacks set sail for the British colony of Sierra Leone on the ship Mayflower of Liberia. Social IssuesSlavery: In Charleston, South Carolina, slaves are required to wear distinctive identification tags. This law is later extended to free blacks in the city as well. |
1821 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
GovernmentMexico declares independence from Spain. Santa Fe Trail opened to international trade. GovernmentNew State: Missouri becomes the 24th state to join the Union (as a slave state).GovernmentJames Monroe (1758-1831) is inaugurated to a second term as President of the U.S. and John C. Calhoun (1782-1850) is inaugurated as the nation's 7th Vice President. | InventionsThe electric motor is invented by Michael Faraday (1791-1867). TechnologySound reproduction is demonstrated by Sir Charles Wheatstone (1802-1875). | EducationEducation of Women: The Troy Female Seminary is founded by Emma Hart Willard (1787-1870).EducationEducation of Women: Dorothea Dix (1802-1887) opens a dame school for young girls in Boston.EducationNative American Education: A Cherokee named Sequoyah (c.1770-1843) develops an alphabet of 86 characters, with which stories, hymns, and a Bible were printed in the Cherokee language.EducationChildren’s Books: Early Piety, or Memoirs of Childhood mixes stories such as "Of a very good girl; that died very happy before she was seven years old, with others like "the history of a sad wicked child, and his miserable death."Arts and LettersFrances Wright (1795-1852) publishes "Views of Society and Manners in America." | Tyler, LetitiaLetitia (Letty) Tyler Semple (1821-1907), daughter of John and Letitia Tyler, is born on May 11. | EconomicsPopulation: The fourth census (1820) shows that the population of the U.S. is about 9.6 million.Daily LifeTransportation: The first wagon train on the Santa Fe Trail is led by William Becknell (1788-1865).Daily LifeThe game of poker is invented by sailors in New Orleans. | Popular CultureJames Fenimore Cooper (1789-1851) publishes "The Spy," which leads him to become the first popular American novelist. | ReligionThe first Catholic cathedral to be dedicated in the U.S. is the Cathedral of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Baltimore.ReformBlack Suffrage Movement: Nearly all property qualifications required to vote are abolished by the New York state constitution, but the state continues to deny suffrage to Blacks.ReformAbolition Movement: Benjamin Lundy (1789-1839), Quaker saddle maker, begins publishing his anti-slavery newspaper, Genius of Universal Emancipation. |
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1822 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
GovernmentPresidents: Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885), 18th President of the U.S., is born April 27 in Point Pleasant, Ohio.GovernmentPresidents: Rutherford B. Hayes (1822-1881), 19th President of the U.S., is born October 4 in Delaware, Ohio.GovernmentFlorida is organized as a territory. | ScienceA theory of evolution, subsequently proved to be in error, is published by Jean Baptiste Lamarck (1744-1829).MedicineObservations of human gastric juices are begun by U.S. Army physician William Beaumont (1785-1853). His observations are made on a sailor who suffered a bullet wound in the stomach that did not quite heal.InventionsThe first patent for making false teeth is obtained by W.C. Graham.TechnologyGas lights are installed on the streets of Boston. | EducationHigher Education: Hobart College is founded in Geneva, NY; it offers an “English Course” designed for “the practical business of life.”Arts and LettersFranz Liszt (1811-1886), Hungarian pianist, makes his debut at age 11.Arts and LettersThe Royal Academy of Music in founded in London. Arts and LettersThe diorama, paintings illuminated in a dark room to give the illusion of reality, is invented by Daguerre and Bouton. | | EconomicsCotton mills in Massachusetts begin using water-powered machinery.DiscoveryThe Rosetta stone, found in 1799, is deciphered by French Egyptologist Jean Francois Champollion (1790-1832).Daily LifeMolly Pitcher, a.k.a. Mary McCauley (1754-1832), is awarded a pension by the state of Pennsylvania. | Sports Soccer: Yale prohibits the playing of football (soccer); violators are fined. | Social IssuesSlavery: An informer reveals a plot led by Denmark Vesey (1767-1822), a free black man, for a massive slave uprising in South Carolina. Thirty-five blacks, including Vessey, are hanged, and severely repressive slave codes are passed in the South. ReformSlavery: Liberia is founded as a colony for blacks fleeing America.ReformProtest Music: “The Ballad of Major Andre” is written during the American Revolution by Major John Andre (? -1780). |
1823 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
PoliticsDaniel Webster (1782-1852) takes a seat in the House of Representatives, and Henry Clay (1777-1852) becomes Speaker of the House. GovernmentJames Monroe (1758-1831) presents his Monroe Doctrine, stating that any attempts by Europeans to interfere in the Americas will be considered an affront to the national interest of the U.S. WarIndian Wars: American troops defeat the Sauk and Fox chief Black Hawk, who has tried to prevent white settlement in the Illinois territory. | MedicineThe first ophthalmology book in the U.S., "A Treatise on the Diseases of the Eye," is published.MedicineThe British medical journal, "The Lancet," is first published. InventionsComputers: Early attempts to build a calculating machine (computer) are made by Charles Babbage (1791-1871).InventionsA waterproof fabric is invented by Charles Macintosh (1766-1843). | EducationEducation of Women: Catherine Beecher (1800-1878) founds a girls’ school in Hartford, CT. EducationTeacher Education: The first private normal school (for training teachers) in the U.S. opens in Concord, Vermont. EducationThe first gymnasium offering systematic instruction is started by the Round Hill School in Massachusetts. Gymnastics is scheduled from 5 to 7 p.m.
EducationChildren''s Books: Clement Clark Moore (1779-1863) publishes "A Visit from St. Nicholas" ("‘Twas the Night Before Christmas").EducationAfrican American Education: Alexander Lucius Twilight (1795-1857) graduates from Middlebury College, making him the first black college graduate in the U.S.Arts and LettersLudwig van Beethoven (1770-1857) completes the "Missa Solemnis, Op. 123." | Tyler, LetitiaElizabeth "Lizzie" Tyler Waller (1823-1850), daughter of John and Letitia Tyler, is born July 11. | | Sports Football: Football is invented by a 17-year-old British rugby player when, against the rules of rugby, he takes up the ball and runs with it. Sports Horse Racing: The first great U.S. horse race takes place between the North and the South on Long Island; the purse is about $20,000.Popular CultureJames Fenimore Cooper (1789-1851) publishes "The Pioneers," the first of the Leatherstocking Tales. | ReformAbolition Movement: An Anti-Slavery Society is founded in England by William Wilberforce (1759-1833). |
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1824 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
PoliticsThe world’s first public opinion poll tries to predict voting intentions for the presidential election of 1824.PoliticsJohn Quincy Adams (1767-1848) is elected as the 6th President of the U.S. by the House of Representatives when none of the four candidates achieves a majority in the national election; John C. Calhoun (1782-1850) is re-elected as Vice President.GovernmentThe Tariff Act of 1824 is passed by Congress in an effort to protect American industry. GovernmentNational Capital: The Capitol Rotunda is completed; it is the connecting space between the House of Representatives and the Senate sides of the building.GovernmentNative Americans: The U.S. Secretary of War establishes the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA), which does not receive congressional authorization until 1934. | ScienceFrench physicist Nicholas Leonard Sadi Carnot (1796-1832) first states the principle that will become William Thompson’s (1824-1907) Second Law of Thermodynamics (energy moves from a warm to a cold body, not the reverse). | EducationMary Randolph (1762-1828) publishes "The Virginia Housewife," intended to instruct novice wives.EducationEmma Willard (1787-1870) writes a widely-used textbook, "Ancient Geography."EducationThe first science and engineering school in the U.S. is founded; it is later named Renssalaer Polytechnic Institute.EducationChildren''s Books: Dorothea Dix (1802-1887) writes a children’s book, "Conversations on Common Things."Arts and LettersThe National Gallery is London is founded. | Taylor, MargaretMary Elizabeth Taylor Bliss Dandridge (1824-1909), daughter of Zachary and Margaret Taylor, is born April 20.Lincoln, MaryMary Todd’s (1818-1882) mother dies in childbirth when she is six years old. | EconomicsTransportation: Railroad History: Construction begins on the 1st locomotive workshop in New Castle, England.DiscoveryA gateway to the west through the Rocky Mountains is discovered at South Pass, WY.DiscoveryThe Great Salt Lake is discovered. | | ReligionThe Sunday School Union is founded in the United States.ReformUtopian Movement: Robert Owen (1771-1858) founds New Harmony, a utopian community in Indiana.ReformLabor Movement: The first recorded strike by women is a weaver’s strike at Pawtucket, RI. |
1825 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
GovernmentThe U.S. signs a treaty with Russia setting the border between Canada and Alaska.GovernmentNative Americans: Congress adopts a policy of removal of eastern Indian tribes to territory west of the Mississippi River; whites settle on Indian lands.GovernmentJohn Quincy Adams (1767-1848) is inaugurated as the 6th President of the U.S. and John C. Calhoun (1782-1850) is inaugurated as the continuing Vice President.
GovernmentNative Americans: A treaty is established between the U.S. and the Oglala branch of the Teton Sioux (Lakota) regarding fur trade, signed for the Oglala by Standing Buffalo (aka Standing Bull). | ScienceMichael Faraday (1791-1867) succeeds in isolating benzene.ScienceGeorges Couvier (1769-1832) suggests that alterations in the earth causing extinction of whole animal species are associated with great natural catastrophes.TechnologyRailroad History: Stephenson's (1781-1841) 8-ton LOCOMOTION No. 1 built for the Stockton & Darlington Railroad is capable of pulling 90 tons of coal at 15 mph. | Arts and Letters"The Diary of Samuel Pepys" is published.Arts and LettersDance: The Bolshoi Ballet is established in Moscow.IdeasEnglish philosopher John Stuart Mill (1806-1873) publishes "Analysis of the Phenomena of the Human Mind," an early work in psychology, at age 19. | Adams, LouisaLouisa Adams (1775-1852) moves into the White House with her husband, John Quincy Adams.Adams, LouisaLouisa Adams (1775-1852) becomes the first First Lady to write her autobiography, which she called "Adventures of a Nobody."Tyler, LetitiaAnne Contesse Tyler (1825), daughter of John and Letitia Tyler, is born in April and dies three months later in July.Lincoln, MaryMary Todd’s (1818-1882) father remarries—Elizabeth (Betsy) Humphreys of Frankfort, KY. | EconomicsThe Erie Canal, connecting Lake Eire and the Hudson River, opens.EconomicsThe New York Stock Exchange opens, trading mostly canal, turnpike, mining, and gas lighting companies.DiscoveryAlexander Gordon Laing (1793-1826) is the first explorer to reach Timbuktu (in what is now Mali).Daily LifeTea roses from China are introduced in Europe.Daily LifeDuncan Phyfe (1768-1854) begins producing furniture in the Empire style. | Sports Baseball: A Baseball Club is organized in Rochester, New York.Sports Horse Racing: The New York Trotting Club builds a race course on Long Island. | Social IssuesNative Americans: The Chippewa, Iowa, Potawami, Sauk and Fox, Sioux, and Winnebago tribes sign a treaty for territorial boundaries.Social IssuesNative Americans: Creek Indians reject a treaty ceding all their lands in Georgia to the U.S.ReformLabor Movement: In Boston, 600 master carpenters strike for a 10-hour day.ReformUtopian Movement: A community of slaves is organized by Frances Wright (1795-1852), designed to help them get ready for freedom. |
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1826 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
PoliticsThird Parties: The first third party in the U.S., the Anti-Masonic Party, is founded. | ScienceAndré Ampere (1775-1836) publishes his "Treatise on Electrodynamics."InventionsThe first permanent photograph is produced by J.N. Niepce (1765-1833), a French scientist.InventionsSamuel Morey (1762-1843) patents an internal combustion engine.InventionsThe first reflecting telescope is built in the U.S. by Amasa Holcomb (1787-1875) in Massachusetts.InventionsBassell designs a pendulum that takes exactly one second per swing. | EducationThe American Lyceum—a mechanism for adult education—is founded. EducationThe Smithsonian Institution is founded in Washington, DC, endowed by James Smithson (1765-1829).EducationEducation of Women: The first public high schools for girls open in New York and Boston.
Arts and LettersThe U.S. Academy of Design is founded by Samuel F.B. Morse (1791-1872).Arts and LettersPoetry: Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861) publishes "Essays on Mind, with Other Poems." | Adams, AbigailJohn Adams (1735-1826), 2nd President of the U.S., dies in Braintree (now Quincy), MA.Jefferson, MarthaThomas Jefferson (1743-1826) dies on July 4 at Monticello (near Charlottsville, VA).Harrison, AnnaLucy Singleton Harrison Este (1800-1826), daughter of William Henry and Anna Harrison, dies April 7.Taylor, MargaretRichard Taylor (1826-1879), son of Zachary and Margaret Taylor, is born January 27.Fillmore, AbigailAbigail Powers (1798-1853) marries Millard Fillmore (1800-1874) on Feb. 5 in Moravia, NY.Lincoln, MaryMary Todd (1818-1882) enters the academy of Dr. John Ward; stays until she is 14.Grant, JuliaJulia Boggs Dent (1826-1902), future wife of President Ulysses S. Grant(1822–1885), is born on January 26 on her family’s plantation near St. Louis, Missouri. | EconomicsTransportation: Railroad History: The first line of rails in the New England States is said to have been laid down at Quincy, Mass., 3 miles in length and pulled by horses.DiscoveryThe first overland journey to Southern California is led by Jedediah Strong Smith (1798-1831).Daily LifeNewspapers: The first issue of the "United States Telegraph" is published; it reflects an anti-John Quincy Adams (1767-1848) bias. | Popular CultureJames Fennimore Cooper (1789-1851) publishes "The Last of the Mohicans." | Social IssuesNative Americans: The Creek Indians sign the Treaty of Washington, which voids the previous treaty and cedes less land to the government; it requires the Indians to move in 1827.Social IssuesSlavery: A Pennsylvania law makes kidnapping a felony, thereby nullifying the Fugitive Slave Act of 1793.ReformTemperence Movement: The American Society for the Promotion of Temperance is founded in Boston. |
1827 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
PoliticsSectional differences in the U.S. between the North and South increase over tariffs: northern industrialists are for them; southern plantation owners oppose them.GovernmentJoint occupation of the Oregon territory is agreed upon by the U.S. and Britain.WarCongress gives the President the right to call out the militia. | ScienceThe mammalian ovum (egg) is discovered, proving that mammals do develop from eggs.ScienceJohn J. Audubon (1785-1851) publishes "Birds of North America."MedicineBrights’ disease (of the kidneys) is described by English physician Richard Bright (1789-1858).InventionsThe screw propeller for ships is invented. | EducationJoanne Bethune founds the Infant School Society in New York City.EducationAfrican American Education: A letter in the Freedom Journal demands education for black women.EducationThe first nautical school in America is opened in Nantucket, Massachusetts.EducationPublic Education: Massachusetts requires every town with 500 or more families to establish a public high school.EducationPublic Education: Massachusetts passes a law making all grades of public school open to all pupils free of charge.Arts and Letters"A Midsummer Night’s Dream," by Felix Mendelssohn (1809-1847), premieres. | | EconomicsTransportation: The first public transit system—horse-drawn busses—appear in New York City.EconomicsTransportation: Railroad History: The Baltimore and Ohio Railroad is chartered to run from Baltimore to the Ohio River in Virginia. It was the first westward bound railroad in America. EconomicsTransportation: Railroad History: The Switch Back Gravity Railroad in Pennsylvania begins operation in May of 1827 before work begins on the B&O. It is the second railroad in the U.S.Daily LifeKarl Baedeker (1801-1859) begins publishing his travel guides.Daily LifeJohn Walker (1781-1859) introduces sulfur friction matches—called Lucifers—in England.Daily LifeNewspapers: The first newspaper for blacks in the U.S., "Freedom’s Journal" is published in New York City.Daily LifeCincinnati is considered the Queen City of the west, at least for a time before the rise of Chicago.Daily LifeHolidays: The Mardi Gras celebration begins when French-American students organize a procession of street maskers on Shrove Tuesday in New Orleans. | Sports A handbook for sportsmen, the American Shooter’s Manual, is published in Philadelphia.Popular CultureThe murder of Maria Martin in England is the inspiration for a wildly popular melodrams, Maria Martin, or The Murder in the Red Barn. | ReligionThe Second Great Awakening, an era of intense, emotional religious revivalism, makes a large impression across the country.ReformPerhaps the first organized American women’s club, the Women’s Social Society at New Harmony, is founded by Frances Wright. |
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1828 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
PoliticsFirst Political Parties: The Democratic party is formed, based on Jeffersonian principles. Andrew Jackson (1767-1845) is the first nominee, and defeats John Quincy Adams (1767-1848) for the Presidency; John C. Calhoun (1782-1850) is re-elected Vice President.PoliticsThird Parties: The Working Men’s Party is founded in New York City.GovernmentRailroad History: Congress authorizes the construction of the first state-owned railway in Pennsylvania.GovernmentThe so-called Tariff of Abominations, imposing duties on manufactured goods is passed. | ScienceThe discipline of organic chemistry begins.ScienceCaroline Herschel (1750-1848) is awarded a gold medal by Britain’s Royal Astronomical Society for her catalog of nebulae.MedicineDr. Hopff first uses the term "hemophilia" in describing the blood disease.InventionsThe electromagnet is invented. | EducationEducation of Women: Zilpah Grant (1794-1874) becomes head of the Ipswitch Female Seminary, a select girls’ boarding school.EducationNoah Webster (1758-1843) publishes his "American Dictionary of the English Language," with 70,000 definitions, including many words derived from immigrant and Native American languages.EducationLibraries: The Reading Room Society, the first social library for African Americans, opens in Philadelphia.Arts and LettersFranz Schubert (1797-1828) gives his only public concert in Vienna.Arts and LettersLiterature: Alexander Dumas (pere--1802-1870) writes "The Three Musketeers." | Adams, LouisaWhite House Weddings: Louisa (1775-1852) and John Quincy Adams (1767-1848) son, John II (1803-1834), marries Mary Catherine Hellen in the White House.Jackson, RachelRachel Donelson Robards Jackson (1767-1828) dies at home on December 22 at 62. She is the first President's wife to die after her husband had been elected to office of President but before he was sworn in and she could become the First Lady.Fillmore, AbigailMillard Fillmore (1800--1874) is elected to the New York State Legislature, where he serves until 1831.Fillmore, AbigailMillard Powers Fillmore (1828-1889), son of Millard and Abigail Fillmore, is born April 25.Johnson, ElizaMartha Johnson Patterson (1828-1901), daughter of Andrew and Eliza Johnson, is born October 25. | EconomicsTransportation: Railroad History: Delaware & Hudson Canal Co. builds a railroad from their mines to the termination of the canal at Honesdale. EconomicsConstruction starts on the Baltimore and Ohio railroad.Daily LifeNewspapers: The first Indian newspaper, the Cherokee Phoenix is published in Georgia.Daily LifeMagazines: Sarah Josepha Hale (1788-1879) becomes editor-publisher of the American Ladies Magazine (until 1836). | Sports The first archery club is formed in Philadelphia; members pay an initiation fee of $5.00 and $.50 dues a month.Popular CultureThomas (“Jim Crow”) Rice (1808-1860) introduces the song “Jim Crow” between acts of a play; it is the first international song hit of American popular music. | Social IssuesNative Americans: American social critic Elizabeth Sanders (1762-1851) anonymously publishes a booklet praising Indian culture and condemning its destruction by General Andrew Jackson.ReformAbolition Movement: Isabella van Wagener (c. 1797-1883) is freed from slavery and takes the name Sojourner Truth; she preaches against slavery throughout New York and New England. |
1829 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
PoliticsThe practice of awarding political appointments based on party service is introduced by Andrew Jackson (1767-1845).GovernmentAndrew Jackson (1767-1848) is inaugurated as the 7th President of the U.S. and John C. Calhoun (1782-1850) is inaugurated as the continuing Vice President. | InventionsLouis Daguerre (1787-1851) invents the daguerreotype, a commonly used form of photography.InventionsThe concertina is patented by Sir Charles Wheatstone (1802-1875).InventionsAn early version of the typewriter is patented by William Austin Burt (1792-1858).TechnologyThe term “technology” is coined in a work called "Elements of Technology" by Harvard professor Jacob Bigelow., M.D. (1787-1879). | EducationSpecial Education: The Perkins Institution, the first school for the blind in the U.S. opens.EducationThe first American encyclopedia, Encyclopedia Americana ins published.EducationSpecial Education: Louis Braille (1809-1852) adapts a communication system used by the French military. EducationChildren’s Books: Ann Taylor (1782-1866) and her sister Jane (1783-1824) collaborated on several books of poems for "infant minds," chiefly but not exclusively religious poems. Ann (1782-1866) was author of "My Mother" and Jane (1783-1824) of "Twinkle, twinkle, little star." They wrote "Original Poems for Infant Minds," illustrated with woodcuts. Arts and LettersOpera: Rossini (1792-1868) completes his last major work, the opera, "William Tell."Arts and LettersFrederic Chopin (1810-1849) debuts in Vienna.Arts and LettersPoetry: Edgar Allen Poe (1809-1849) publishes his first work, "Tamerlane and Other Poems." | Adams, LouisaGeorge Washington Adams (1801-1829), son of President John Quincy Adams and Louisa Adams, dies a mysterious death on April 30. Many historians believe he committed suicide. | EconomicsTransportation: Railroad History: The first steam locomotive used in America, the English-built Stourbridge Lion, is put to work on the Delaware & Hudson. EconomicsTransportation: Railroad History: Peter Cooper (1791-1883) of New York in 6 weeks time builds the Tom Thumb, a vertical boiler 1.4 HP locomotive, for the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. EconomicsThe first modern hotel, the Tremont, opens in Boston with 170 rooms.Daily LifeSecond Great Awakening: In part stimulated by the Second Great Awakening, crusader Sylvester Graham attacks meats, fats, catsup, mustard, pepper, and white bread as stimulating carnal appetites. | | ReligionThe Catholic Emancipation Act in Britain allows Catholics to hold public office.ReformAbolition Movement: Sarah Moore Grimké (1792-1873) publishes Epistle to the Clergy of the Southern States, in which she attacks religious rationalizations of slavery. |
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1830 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
GovernmentNative Americans: The Indian Removal Act is passed enabling whites to move Indians to reservations.GovernmentAbortion: U.S. Congress makes abortion a statutory crime.GovernmentMexico bans further U.S. settlement in Texas.GovernmentPresidents: Chester A. Arthur (1830-1886), 21st President of the U.S., is born October 5 in Fairfield, Vermont. | ScienceThe cell nucleus in plants is discovered.ScienceCharles Lyell (1797-1875) organizes the geological system into three groups: eocene, miocene, and pliocene.MedicineAmerica’s first veterinarian, Charles Grice, opens an animal hospital in New York City.InventionsFrenchman, B. Thimonnier (1793-1859), invents a sewing machine. InventionsThe fountain pen is patented by H.D. Hyde of Pennsylvania. | EducationAfrican American Education: By this time, most southern states have laws forbidding teaching people in slavery to read. Even so, around 5 percent become literate at great personal risk.Arts and LettersHector Berlioz (1803-1869) writes his "Symphonie fantastique." | Monroe, ElizabethElizabeth Kortright Monroe (1768-1830), wife of James Monroe, in office 1817-1825, dies at the family home, Oak Hill, in Virginia.Harrison, AnnaJohn Cleves Symmes Harrison (1798-1830), son of William Henry and Anna Harrison, dies October 30 in the midst of political controversy.Tyler, LetitiaTazewell Tyler (1830-1874), the youngest of John and Letitia Tyler's children, is born December 6.Fillmore, AbigailThe Fillmore family moves to Buffalo; both parents are active in efforts to improve public education and establish a public library system there.Lane, HarrietHarriet Lane (1830-1903), niece of President James Buchanan (1791–1868), is born on May 9 in Franklin County, Pennsylvania. Since he remained a bachelor, Harriet Lane served as his First Lady during his time in office.Johnson, ElizaCharles Johnson (1830-1863), son of Andrew and Eliza Johnson, is born February 19. | EconomicsTransportation: Railroad History: The Best Friend is built at the West Point Foundery at New York for the Charlston & Hamburg Railroad. It was the first completely American-built steam engine to go into scheduled passenger service. EconomicsTransportation: Railroad History: The first locomotive built in the U.S. makes its first trip on the Baltimore and Ohio railroad; it later loses a race against a horse when an engine belt slips. 0
1210 1830 12 Population: The fifth national census puts the population at 12.8 million, including about 150,000 immigrants. 0
8066 1830 12 Transportation: Railroad History: The Best Friend is built at the West Point Foundery at New York for the Charlston & Hamburg Railroad. It was the first completeEconomicsPopulation: The fifth national census puts the population at 12.8 million, including about 150,000 immigrants.Daily LifeFashion: Ladies' skirts grow shorter and sleeves and hats grow bigger; stiff collars become part of men’s dress.Daily LifeSylvester Graham invents the graham cracker, which becomes a favorite of children everywhere.Daily LifeMagazines: "Godey's Lady's Book," a magazine for women, is founded. | Popular CultureOliver Wendell Holmes (1809-1894) writes the poem, “Old Ironsides,” which so popularizes the story of the U.S.S. Constitution that plans to scrap the ship are cancelled. | ReligionThe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, or Mormons, is founded by Joseph Smith (1805-1844). |
1831 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
PoliticsFormer President John Quincy Adams (1767-1848) is elected as the Congressional representative from Massachusetts.GovernmentPresidents: James A. Garfield (1831-1881), 20th President of the U.S. is born November 19 in Orange, Ohio.GovernmentU.S. copyright law is amended to last for 28 years, renewable for 14.WarThe French Foreign Legion is founded. | ScienceCharles Darwin (1809-1882) sails on the H.M.S. Beagle, a trip on which he conceives the idea of evolution.ScienceMichael Farraday (1791-1867) develops the electromagnetic generator.InventionsChloroform is invented. InventionsAn early version of the mechanical reaper is developed by Cyrus McCormick (1809-1884).TechnologyAirplanes: Thomas Walker (1804-1886) proposes a tandem-wing airoplane with the pilot and the propulsion system amidships. This would later influence Samuel Langley as he designed his aerodromes. | EducationLibraries: The Female Literary Society, the first social library for African-American women, is founded in Philadelphia.EducationAfrican American Education: Maria W. Miller Stewart (1803-1879), an African American orator, exhorts African Americans to become educated and fight for their rights; she speaks out at a time when very few women are able to speak in public.Arts and LettersLiterature: Victor Hugo (1802-1885) publishes "The Hunchback of Notre Dame." | Monroe, ElizabethJames Monroe, fifth President of the U.S. dies in New York, New York (b. 1758).Hayes, LucyLucy Ware Webb (1831-1889), future wife of Rutherford B. Hayes (1822–1893), is born August 28 in Chillicothe, Ohio. | EconomicsThe Industrial Revolution focuses on textile mills. EconomicsTransportation: Railroad History: Robert L. Stevens buys the British locomotive, the John Bull, and establishes America’s first steam railway.EconomicsTransportation: The Canadian paddle steamer, Royal William, cross the Atlantic with steam as the prime source of drift. However, her engines had to be stopped every few days because they had to be scraped from the accumulated salt deposits from the seawater used in her boilers.EconomicsTransportation: Railroad History: The 3.5 ton De Witt Clinton hauls 5 stage coach bodies on railroad wheels at 25 mph on the Mohawk & Hudson Railroad between Albany and Schenectady. DiscoveryScottish explorer James Ross (1800-1862) and his Uncle, Sir John Ross (1777-1856), determine the position of the magnetic North Pole.Daily LifeThis year sees the first use of the term “Old Glory” for the U.S. flag. | Sports Horse Racing: A popular racing sheet, the "Spirit of the Times," is established by William Trotter; its aim is to improve the reputation of racing and other sports.Popular CultureAmerican Theatre: The first showboat is built, called "The Floating Theatre."Popular CultureSamuel Francis Smith (1808-1895) writes the words to "My Country, 'Tis of Thee." | Social IssuesImmigration: German immigration to the U.S. is about 15,000.Social IssuesSlavery: Nat Turner (1800-1831) leads an unsuccessful slave uprising.Social IssuesSlavery: The term "underground railroad" becomes widely used. ReformAbolition Movement: William Lloyd Garrison (1805-1879) begins publishing his abolitionist periodical, The Liberator. |
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1832 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
PoliticsAndrew Jackson (1767-1845) is re-elected President and Martin Van Buren (1782-1862) is elected the 8th Vice President on the new Democratic Party ticket.PoliticsThird Parties: For the first time in American history, a third party challenges the major two parties. William Wirt (1772–1834) of the Anti-Masonic Party carries 8 percent of the vote and one state. Andrew Jackson (1767–1845), Democratic-Republican, is reelected President over National-Republican Henry Clay (1777–1852). GovernmentJohn C. Calhoun (1782-1850) becomes the first Vice President to resign from office; he runs successfully for the Senate.GovernmentStates in the South begin a series of nullification acts, attempting to redefine their relationship to the federal government.WarIndian Wars: U.S. troops fight the last Indian war north of the Ohio River and east of the Mississippi. | ScienceJane Kilby Welsh publishes her textbook, "Familiar Lessons in Mineralogy and Geology."MedicineThe dissection of cadavers in medical schools is legalized in Massachusetts.MedicineEpidemics: A cholera epidemic sweeps through major American cities, killing over 7,000 people in New York and New Orleans.MedicineThe disease later known as Hodgkin’s disease is described by English physician Thomas Hodgkin (1798-1866).InventionsThe lawn mower is invented.InventionsWalter Hunt (1796-1859) invents a lock-stitch sewing machine.InventionsLouis Braille (1809-1852) invents the stereoscope. InventionsCyrus McCormick invents the first commercially successful reaper. | EducationEducation of Women: Catherine Beecher (1800-1878) founds the Western Female Institute in Cincinnati. EducationSpecial Education: Samuel Howe (1801-1876) founds the Perkins Institute, the first major school for the blind in the U.S.Arts and LettersThe Boston Academy of Music offers free music lessons to children, adults, and teachers.Arts and LettersDrama: Wolfgang von Goethe (1749-1832) finishes "Faust."Arts and LettersPoetry: Alfred Lord Tennyson (1809-1892) publishes "The Lady of Shalott." | Adams, AbigailThomas Boylston Adams, third son of John and Abigail Adams, dies at 59, probably of complications of alcoholism.Fillmore, AbigailA daughter, Mary Abigail (1832-1854), is born to Abigail and Millard Fillmore in Buffalo on March 27.Lincoln, MaryMary Todd (1818-1882) is enrolled at Madame Victorie Mentelle’s select school for young ladies.Johnson, ElizaMary Johnson Stover Brown (1832-1883), daughter of Andrew and Eliza Johnson, is born May 8.Hayes, LucyLucy Webb's (1831-1889) father dies of cholera.Garfield, LucretiaLucretia Rudolph (1832-1918), future wife of President James A. Garfield (1831–1881), is born on April 19 in Hiram, Ohio.Harrison, CarolineCaroline Lavinia Scott (1832-1892), future wife of President Benjamin Harrison (1833–1901), is born On October 1 in Oxford, Ohio. | EconomicsTransportation: Railroad History: "The Brother Jonathon" was the first locomotive in the world to have a four-wheel leading truck; it was designed by John B. Jervis for the Mohawk & Hudson Railroad.EconomicsTransportation: Railroad History: "The American No. 1" was the first 4-4-0, the first of its class; it was designed by John B. Jervis (1795 –1885), Chief Engineer for the Mohawk & Hudson.EconomicsTransportation: The "Ann McKim," first of the American clipper ships, is launched in Baltimore.Daily LifeFrances Trollope (1780-1863) publishes "Domestic Manners of the Americans." | | ReformThe first work to treat women in a completely distinctive way, "The History of Women," is published.ReformAbolition Movement: The New England Anti-Slavery Society is founded in Boston.ReformAbolition Movement: African American women found the first Anti-Slavery society in Salem, Massachusetts. |
1833 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
GovernmentCongress gives President Jackson (1767-1845) the power to use the armed forces to enforce the tariff laws; South Carolina rescinds its nullification acts after a compromise on tariffs is reached.GovernmentPresident: Benjamin Harrison (1831-1901), 23rd President of the U.S., is born.GovernmentAndrew Jackson (1767-1845) is inaugurated as President and Martin Van Buren (1782-1862) is inaugurated as the nation's 8th Vice President.GovernmentNational Capital: The Treasury building burns to the ground in Washington, DC. | ScienceMichael Farraday (1791-1867) coins the terms electrolysis, electrolyte, anode, and cathode.InventionsComputers: Charles Babbage (1791-1871) suggests the possibility of building an “analytical engine,” an early calculator. | EducationEducation of Women: Prudence Crandall (1803-1890) admits black students to her girls’ school in Connecticut and is imprisoned for violating a law passed especially to prevent her from doing so. EducationHigher Education; Education of Women: African American Education: Oberlin College in Ohio is the first college to admit Blacks and women.EducationChildren’s Books: Peter Parley's "Winter Evening Tales;" this delightful little book with its copperplate title page and frontispiece shows a less forbidding side of S. G. Goodrich (1793-1860). EducationLibraries: The first tax-supported public library in the United States is founded in Peterborough, New Hampshire.Arts and LettersFrederic Chopin (1810-1849) writes the "Piano Concerto in E Minor."Arts and LettersPoetry: Alfred, Lord Tennyson (1809-1892) writes "In Memoriam." | | Daily LifeTransportation: The Canadian ship, S.S. Royal William crosses the Atlantic in 25 days.Daily LifeNewspapers: The first "penny press," the "New York Sun," makes newspapers widely available, thus helping the spread of literacy.Daily LifeMagazines: The first magazine for mothers, "Mother’s Magazine," is published and edited by Abigail Goodrich Whittelsey (1788-1858).Daily LifeMagazines: Parley's Magazine for Children & Youth. This is a twice-monthly magazine, founded by Samuel Griswold Goodrich (1793-1860). It emphasized geography, travel, natural history, and simple technology, along with Bible stories. | Sports Baseball: An early form of baseball is played by the Olympic Ball Club in Philadelphia; most rules are like those of English cricket.Popular CultureThe legend of Davy Crockett (1786-1836) is begun with the publication of "Sketches and Eccentricities of Col. David Crockett, of West Tennessee." | Social IssuesSlavery: The British Empire abolishes slavery in its colonies.ReformAbolition Movement: The American Anti-Slavery Society is founded in Philadelphia by James Mott (1788-1868). Lucretia Mott (1793-1880), his wife, founds the Female Anti-Slavery Society.ReformLabor Movement: Shoemakers in Geneva, New York, go on strike; they win, but a later court case declares strikes to be illegal.ReformLabor Movement: The General Trades Union is formed in New York City. |
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1834 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
PoliticsThird Parties: Anti-Jackson forces form the American Whig party; it lasts until 1852.GovernmentAndrew Jackson (1767-1845) removes federal deposits from the Bank of the U.S. and deposits them in “pet” state banks around the country.GovernmentThe U.S. Senate censures Andrew Jackson (1767-1845) for taking federal deposits from the Bank of the U.S.; the censure is removed from the record the following year.GovernmentThe city of Toronto is incorporated. | ScienceAmalgam (a mercury alloy) is introduced as a filling material for decayed teeth.MedicineAn antidote for arsenic poisoning is discovered by Robert Bunsen (1811-1899).InventionsThe mechanical reaper is patented by Cyrus H. McCormick (1809-1884).InventionsComputers: Charles Babbage (1791-1871)invents the principle of the "analytical engine," which is the forerunner of the computer.InventionsJacob Perkins (1766-1849) invents an early refrigerator (really an early ice machine). | EducationSpecial Education: French teacher Louis Braille invents (1809-1852) a system of printed raised dots that enables the blind to read.EducationChildren''s Books: The fairy tale "The Three Bears" is popularized.Arts and Letters"The Last Days of Pompeii is published." | Lincoln, MaryAbraham Lincoln (1809-1865) enters politics in the Illinois legislature at the age of 25.Johnson, ElizaRobert Johnson (1834-1869), son of Andrew and Eliza Johnson, is born February 22. Adams, LouisaJohn Adams II (1803-1834), son of President John Quincy Adams and Louisa Adams, dies an alcohol related death on October 23. | EconomicsTwenty-eight million acres of public land are offered for sale to those who wish to move west.DiscoveryThe first settlement is established in Oregon.Daily LifeTomatoes are begun to be eaten in the U.S.; before this, people thought they were poisonous and they were only used as ornamental “love apples.” | Sports Baseball: The first printed rules for a game much like baseball are found in the Book of Sports.Sports Baseball: Robin Carver publishes the "Book of Sports," the first American book on baseball.Sports Women in Sports: The first modern Lacrosse games are played. Lacrosse will become a major new sports opportunity for women in the 1990's with many colleges offering scholarship dollars. The original game was played by North American Indians. Popular CultureMadame Tussaud (1761-1850) opens her wax museum in London. | Social IssuesNative Americans: Under an 1828 treaty, the U.S. orders the Seminole Indians to leave Florida.Social IssuesNative Americans: Four thousand Oglala people relocate to Fort Laramie to boost their fur trade with white people.ReformLabor Movement: The Factory Girls Association is organized in the Lowell textile mills; women workers stage their first strike, which fails.ReformAbolition Movement: Anti-abolition riots occur in New York City and Philadelphia. |
1835 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
GovernmentCongress pays off the national debt.WarMexican Wars: American settlers defeat a Mexican cavalry in the first battle of the Texas Revolution.WarIndian Wars: A new Seminole War begins in Florida after the escape of Seminole leader Osceola. | ScienceHailey's comet appears in its usual 75-year cycle.InventionsThe revolver is invented by Samuel Colt (1814-1862).InventionsComputers: Charles Babbage (1791-1871) invents a mechanical calculator. | EducationChildren''s Books: Hans Christian Anderson (1805-1875) publishes a book of his "Fairy Tales."EducationAfrican American Education: A school that enrolls 14 Black students in New Hampshire is burned to the ground.EducationEducation of Women: Harriet Hunt (c.1805-?) is accepted at Harvard Medical School, but the male students riot and she is forced to withdraw.EducationEducation of Women: Education for girls is established in Panama.IdeasAlexis de Tocqueville (1805-1859) publishes his "Democracy in America," a work that is still quoted today.IdeasWomen''s Rights Movement: Lydia Maria Child (1802-1880) publishes "History of the Condition of Women." | Jackson, RachelAssassination: President Andrew Jackson survives the first-ever assassination attempt on a U.S. president.Monroe, ElizabethEliza Kortright Monroe Hay (1786-1835), daughter of President James Monroe and Elizabeth Monroe, dies in France at age 49, shortly after converting to the Catholic faith. Cause of death is unknownTaylor, MargaretSarah "Knox" Taylor Davis (1814-1835), daughter of Zachary and Margaret Taylor, dies September 15 of malaria. | EconomicsTransportation: Railroad History: 1,096 miles of railroad tracks are in use in the U.S.EconomicsNative Americans: Gold is found on Cherokee lands in Georgia.EconomicsThe first cast-iron bridge in America is built over Dunlap’s Creek in Brownsville, Pennsylvania.Daily LifeNewspapers: The "New York Herald" is published as a penny-paper. | Sports For a purse of $1,000, nine runners participate in a 10-mile foot race on Long Island; the winner’s time is 59 minutes, 44 seconds.Popular CultureP.T. Barnum (1810-1891) begins his career as a showman in the U.S.Popular CultureA pseudoscience called “phrenology” becomes popular; it says that physiological features, especially of the head, determine character. | ReligionWomen''s Firsts: Henrietta Hall Schuck becomes the first American female missionary in China at age 18.ReformPrison Reform: Mt. Pleasant Female Prison, the first American prison for women, is founded in New York.ReformAbolition Movement: Censorship efforts in Southern states expel abolitionists and forbid the mailing of antislavery propaganda.ReformAbolition Movement: Pro- and anti-slavery mobs clash in Charleston, South Carolina, in Boston, and in New York; in Boston, the pro-slavery attackers take William Lloyd Garrison (1805-1879) and parade him through the streets with a rope around his neck. |
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1836 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
LawChief Justices: President Andrew Jackson(1767-1845) nominates Roger Brooke Taney (1777-1864) as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. He is confirmed by the Senate in 1836 and serves for twenty-eight years, the second-longest tenure of any Chief Justice. PoliticsMartin Van Buren (1782-1862) is elected as the 8th U.S. President and Richard M. Johnson (1780-1850) is elected as the nation's 9th Vice President.PoliticsTexas declares independence from Mexico.GovernmentNew State: Arkansas becomes the 25th state in the U.S.GovernmentThe Michigan territory is divided to create Wisconsin.WarMexican Wars: The battle of the Alamo takes placeover 13 days; less than 200 defenders are finally defeated by 2,500 Mexican soldiers. | ScienceThe first American botanical textbook, "Elements of Botany," is written by Asa Gray (1810-1888).SciencePepsin, the powerful ferment in gastric juice, is recognized by the German physiologist, Theodor Schwann (1810-1882).InventionsFrancis Pettit Smith and John Ericcson (1803-1889) co-invent the propellor. | EducationHigher Education: Education of Women: Women’s Colleges: Wesleyan College is chartered to Georgia and is known for granting the first college degrees to women. EducationPublic Education: Child labor laws in Massachusetts require children to attend school for at least three months a year until they are 15.EducationSpecial Education: Laura Bridgman (1829-1889) becomes the first deaf-mute taught to communicate at the Perkins Institute.EducationPublic Education: The first McGuffey readers are published. Arts and LettersLiterature: Charles Dickens (1812-1870) writes "The Pickwick Papers."IdeasThe first meeting of the Transcendentalist Club is held in Boston. | Madison, DolleyJames Madison (1751-1835) dies at the Madisons' home at Montpelier, and is buried there.Fillmore, AbigailMillard Fillmore (1800-1874) is elected again as a Representative to Congress; serves until 1839.Lincoln, MaryMary Todd (1818-1882) enrolls for two more years at Ward’s academy. Pierce, JaneFranklin Pierce Jr. (1836), son of Franklin and Jane Pierce, is born February 2 and dies three days later on February 5. Jefferson, MarthaMartha Washington Jefferson Randolph (1772-1836), daughter of Thomas and Martha Jefferson, dies of apoplexy on October 10. | EconomicsAmerican Money: With minimum regulation, a proliferation of 1,600 local state-chartered, private banks now issue paper money. Daily LifeGas stoves are manufactured for the first time.Daily LifeThe Arc de Triumphe, begun 30 years earlier, is finished. | Sports Cricket: Batting pads for Cricket are invented. | ReligionThe first Mormon Temple is dedicated in Kirtland, Ohio.Social IssuesNative Americans: A written Seneca Indian language is devised by missionaries Laura Wright (1809-1886) and her husband.Social IssuesSlavery: Texas wins independence from Mexico and legalizes slavery. Free blacks and mulattos are forbidden from entering the state.ReformTemperance Movement: The Ladies' American Home Education Society and Temperance Union is founded.ReformLabor Movement: At age 11, mill worker Harriet Jane Hanson Robinson leads her young co-workers out in support of older workers striking in protest over wage cuts.ReformAbolition Movement: There are 500 active abolitionist societies in the North. |
1837 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
LawMembership on the Supreme Court is increased from seven to nine.GovernmentPresident Andrew Jackson (1767-1845) recognizes the Republic of Texas on his last day in office, thereby preventing its admission as a slave territory.GovernmentMartin Van Buren (1782-1862) is inaugurated as the 8th U.S. President and Richard M. Johnson (1780-1850) is inaugurated as the nation's 9th Vice President.
GovernmentNew State: Michigan becomes the 26th state in the U.S.GovernmentPresidents: Grover Cleveland (1837-1906), 22nd President of the U.S., is born in Caldwell, New Jersey.WarIndian Wars: General Zachary Taylor tricks(1784-1850) Seminole leader Osceloa (c.1804-1838) and captures him. | ScienceFrench mathematician Simeon Denis Poissson (1781-1840) develops the rules of probability by studying the incidence of death from mule kicks in the French army.InventionsAlfred Lewis Vail (1807-1859), Samuel Morse’s (1791-1872) assistant, develops the “Morse Code” of dots and dashes that will be used by telegraphers everywhere.InventionsJohn Deere (1804-1886) invents the steel-toothed plow.InventionsEnglish schoolmaster, Rowland Hill (1744-1833) invents the postage stamp. | EducationPublic Education: Horace Mann (1796-1959) becomes head of the newly formed Massachusetts State Board of Education. Edmund Dwight (1716-1755), a major industrialist, thinks a state board of education was so important to factory owners that he offered to supplement the state salary with extra money of his own.EducationHigher Education: Education of Women: Women’s Colleges: Mount Holyoke Female Seminary is founded and is chartered in 1888(becomes the model for other colleges in the future years). EducationFreidrich Froebel (1782-1852) establishes the first kindergarten in Germany.EducationHigher Education: Education of Women: Women's Colleges: Mary Mason Lyon (1797-1849) opens Mt. Holyoke Seminary in Massachusetts, one of the first colleges for women.Arts and LettersLiterature: Nathaniel Hawthorne’s (1804-1864) first work, "Twice-Told Tales" is published.IdeasRalph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) publishes "The American Scholar." | Arthur, EllenEllen Lewis Herndon (1837-1880), future wife of President Chester A. Arthur (1829–1886), is born August 30 in Culpepper Court House, Virginia. | EconomicsTransportation: The first British liner made of iron—the Great Britain—is launched.EconomicsThe economic Panic of 1837 is felt across the nation. Many people are out of work.Daily LifeVictoria (1819-1901) becomes Queen of Great Britain. She is the first monarch to live in Buckingham Palace.Daily LifeMagazines: Sarah Josepha Hale (1788-1879), author of "Mary Had A Little Lamb," begins editing the popular women''s magazine, "Godey''s Lady''s Book."
| Sports The first boat race, sponsored by the Castle Garden Boat Club, is held in Poughkeepsie, NY.Sports Women in Sports: Donald Walker's book, "Exercise for Ladies," warns women against horseback riding, because it deforms the lower part of the body. | ReligionAmerican Presbyterians are split into the “old” and the “new.”ReformAbolition Movement: The first Anti-Slavery Convention of American Women is held in New York.ReformLabor Movement: The Grimké sisters found the National Female Anti-Slavery Society, one of the first to admit women of color from the start. |
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1838 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
GovernmentSlavery: John Calhoun (1782-1850), Senator from South Carolina, introduces resolutions in the Senate affirming the legality of slavery.WarAfrikaner (Boer) forces fight and defeat the Zulu at the Battle of Blood River in South Africa. | ScienceThe Royal Irish Academy elects astronomer Caroline Herschel to membership.ScienceThe idea that cells are the basic building blocks of all living things is advanced.InventionsA one-day, brass movement clock is invented that is both accurate and inexpensive, giving rise to the term “Yankee ingenuity.”InventionsAmerica’s first microscope is built by Charles A. Spencer (1813-1881).TechnologySamuel Morse (1791-1872) gives the first demonstration of the telegraph. | EducationEducation of Women: William Holmes MdGuffey (1800-1873) supports more liberal education for women.EducationFrench philosopher Auguste Comte (1798-1857) gives the discipline of sociology its name.Arts and LettersLiterature: Edgar Allen Poe (1809-1849) writes "Ligeia," often called the first work of American science fiction.Arts and LettersLiterature: Charles Dickens (1812-1870) writes "Oliver Twist" and "Nicholas Nickleby."Arts and LettersLiterature: Author James Fenimore Cooper (1789-1851) publishes two novels criticizing American democracy; he is roundly criticized. | Harrison, AnnaWilliam Henry Harrison (1802-1838), son of William Henry and Anna Harrison, is born September 3. | EconomicsTransportation: The British liner Great Western sails from England on her maiden voyage; she is the first to cross the Atlantic regularly.EconomicsTransportation: The British steamship Sirius crosses the Atlantic solely on steam power in 18 days, 10 hours.Daily LifeNewspapers: The New York "Herald" is the first U.S. newspaper to employ European correspondents.Daily LifeThe coronation of Queen Victoria (1819-1901) takes place a year after she ascends the throne. | Popular CultureJenny Lynd (1820-1887), the "Swedish Nightingale," makes her debut. | Social IssuesNative Americans: Fifteen thousand Cherokee Indians remaining in Georgia are moved by federal troops 800 miles westward in what becomes known as "the Trail of Tears."ReformWomen's Suffrage: Widows with school-age children are allowed to vote in school board elections in Kentucky.ReformAbolution Movement: Angelina Grimké becomes the first woman to ever address an American legislature, speaking on abolition in Massachusetts. |
1839 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
LawWomen's Firsts: Mississippi becomes the first state to give the right to own property to women, although they must have their husbands’ permission.PoliticsThird Parties: The first anti-slavery political party, the Liberty Party, runs James Birney (1792-1857) for president. He loses.GovernmentThe kingdom of Belgium is recognized by all countries of Europe.WarThe first Opium War between Britain and China begins. | ScienceOzone is discovered and named.InventionsThe first electric clock is invented.InventionsThe first bicycle is constructed by Scottish inventor Kirkpatrick Macmillan (1813-1878).TechnologyLouis Daguerre (1787-1851) takes the first photograph of the moon.TechnologyTelegraph inventor Samuel F.B. Morse (1791-1872) makes the first daguerreotype portraits to be produced in the U.S. | EducationThe Lowell Institute in Boston is founded to provide free lectures by eminent scholars.EducationA College of Dental Surgery opens in Baltimore.EducationTeacher Education: The first public normal school (teachers' college) is founded in Lexington, Massachusetts.IdeasThe unofficial headquarters of the Transcendentalist Club is Elizabeth Palmer Peabody’s (1804-1894) Boston bookshop. | Madison, DolleyDolley Madison (1768-1849) moves back to Montpelier to try farming.Harrison, AnnaCarter Bassett Harrison (1812-1839), son of William Henry and Anna Harrison, dies August 12. Lincoln, MaryMary Todd (1818-1882) goes to live with her sister, Elizabeth Edwards (Mrs. Ninian), in Springfield, Illinois; she meets Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) there at a dance.Tyler, JuliaJulia Gardner Tyler (1820-1889) is the first President's wife to pose for a department store advertisement.Pierce, JaneFrank Robert Pierce (1839-1843), son of Franklin and Jane Pierce, is born August 27. | EconomicsThe manufacture of rubber is pioneered by Charles Goodyear (1800-1860).Daily LifeMagazines: The Lowell mill girls begin publishing "The Lowell Offering," a monthly magazine of poetry, fiction, and essays that becomes internationally known. | Sports Horse Racing: The first Grand National horse race is run in Britain.Sports Baseball: Abner Doubleday (1819-1893) lays out the first baseball field and the first game is played. | |
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1840 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
PoliticsWilliam Henry Harrison (1773-1841) is elected the 9th President of the U.S., and John Tyler (1790-1862) is elected as the 10th Vice President on the Whig ticket.GovernmentUpper and lower Canada are united by an Act of Parliament.GovernmentStamps: The first postage stamps appear in Britain, bearing Queen Victoria's (1837-1901) profile. The tiny stamps (3/4 by 7/8 inches) are printed using only black ink. Brazil is the second nation to have postage stamps. | ScienceLouis Agassiz (1807-1873) publishes a work on the movements and effects of glaciers.ScienceThe fundamentals of artificial fertilizer are discovered.ScienceJames Joule (1818-1889) develops the idea that energy can be converted from one state to another, but cannot be destroyed.MedicineThe American Society of Dental Surgeons is organized in New York City.InventionsEnglishman John Herschel (1792-1871) invents the blueprint. | EducationWomen’s Colleges: St. Mary-of-the-Woods College is founded in Indiana as the first of many women's institutions that are established by Catholic Sisters and is chartered in 1846.EducationPublic Education: Irish Catholics in New York City struggle for local neighborhood control of schools as a way of preventing their children from being force-fed a Protestant curriculum.IdeasMargaret Fuller (1810-1850) becomes editor of "The Dial," an influential transcentalist publication. | Harrison, AnnaBenjamin Harrison (1806-1840), son of William Henry and Anna Harrison, is born. Adams, Abigail"Selected letters" by Abigail Adams (1744-1818) on social, political, and other matters are published. | EconomicsTransportation: Railroad History: There are 2,816 miles of railroad in operation in the U.S.EconomicsTransportation: The Cunard steamship line is established, the first with scheduled transatlantic sailings.EconomicsPopulation: The sixth national census shows a population of more than 17 million; 600,000 immigrants have arrived since 1830, 207,281 from Ireland.Daily LifeWomen''s Firsts: Elizabeth Peabody (1804-1894) becomes the first woman publisher in Boston and the U.S.Daily LifeHistory of Toys: The first American dollmaker is granted a patent and dolls begin to be mass-produced in America for the first time. | Sports The game of bowling (called nine pins) becomes popular in the U.S.Popular CultureThe expression, "O.K." is first used; it refers to “Old Kinderhook,” birthplace of Martin Van Buren (1782-1862), and is also the name of a Democratic Club in New York City.Popular CultureThe ritual of afternoon tea is introduced in Britain by Anna, the Duchess of Bedford (1788-1861).Popular CultureJames Fenimore Cooper (1789-1851) writes "The Pathfinder." | Social IssuesNative Americans: An increasing flow of emigrants to Oregon and California bring cholera, smallpox, and measles to the Indians as well as accelerated buffalo hunting for the fur trade.Social IssuesImmigration: Over a million Irish immigrants arrive in the United States, driven out of their homes in Ireland by the potato famine. Social IssuesSlavery: Slaves on the Spanish ship Amistad mutiny and sale the ship into a Connecticut harbor.ReformAbolition Movement: Lydia Maria Child (1802-1880) and her husband, David Lee Child (1794-1874), edit the Anti-Slavery Standard until 1844.ReformLabor Movement: The 10-hour day is established for federal employees by a Presidential order.ReformAbolition Movement: Women's Rights Movement: William Lloyd Garrison refuses to speak at the World’s Anti-Slavery Convention in London because women have been excluded from the meeting.ReformAbolution Movement: Lucretia Mott and Elizabeth Cady Stanton are chosen as delegates to the World’s Anti-Slavery Convention in London. |
1841 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
LawSlavery: Affirming a strong argument made by John Quincy Adams (1767-1848), the Supreme Court rules that the slaves who took over the Amistad may be freed. Thirty-five freed men return to Africa.GovernmentPresident William Henry Harrison (1773-1841) dies in office and is replaced by Vice-President John Tyler (1790-1852) as the 10th U.S. president; no new Vice President is selected.GovernmentTyler’s cabinet resigns over his veto of a bill creating a national bank; Daniel Webster remains Secretary of State.GovernmentNew Zealand becomes a British crown colony.WarMexican Wars: Texas soldiers invade New Mexico and claim all land east of the Rio Grande. Their efforts are thwarted by Governor Manuel Armijo (1793-1853). | MedicineJames Braid (1795-1860), Scottish surgeon, investigates the use of hypnosis.InventionsAdolphe Sax (1814-1894) invents the saxophone.InventionsCornstarch is patented by Orlando Jones.InventionsSamuel Slocum (1792- 1861) patents the stapler. TechnologyThe first U.S. steam fire engine is tested in New York City. | EducationEducation of Women: Oberlin College in Ohio is the first to grant college degrees to women.EducationNew England transcendentalists found the commune and school, Brook Farm.EducationEducation of Women: Catherine Beecher (1800-1878) publishes "A Treatise on Domestic Economy."EducationChildren''s Books: Harriet Martineau (1802-1876) publishes a collection of children’s stories, "The Playfellow."EducationChildren’s Books: Frederick Marryatt (1792-1848), an ex-naval officer who wrote a whole series of shipboard novels. His Masterman Ready, or the Wreck of the Pacific, first published in three volumes in 1841-42. EducationChildren’s Books: Unlike the early nineteenth-century Rousseauesque castaways, Victorian versions of the Crusoe story stressed adventure, manliness, and self-help. Well-known examples include Captain Marryat's reassuringly Evangelical Masterman Ready.IdeasRalph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) writes "Self Reliance." | Madison, DolleyDolley Madison (1764-1849) returns to Washington, DC.Pierce, JaneBenjamin Pierce (1841-1853), son of Franklin and Jane Pierce, is born April 13. Harrison, AnnaAnna Symmes Harrison (1775-1864) is the first President's wife to never get to see or live in the White House because her husband, William Henry Harrison, died before she could join him there. President Harrison delivered the longest inaugural address (105 minutes) on a very cold winter day and contracted pneumonia.Tyler, LetitiaLetitia Christian Tyler (1790-1842) is the First Vice President's wife to become First Lady at the death of the former president. | Daily LifeNewspapers: The "New York Tribune" begins publishing, edited by Horace Greeley. | Popular CultureEdgar Allan Poe (1809-1849) publishes the first detective story, "Murders in the Rue Morgue."Popular CultureJames Fenimore Cooper (1789-1851) writes "The Deerslayer."Popular CultureCharles Dickens (1812-1870) writes "The Old Curiosity Shop." | Social IssuesSlavery: Texas gives its citizens the right and responsibility to apprehend runaway slaves and turn them over to the law so that they may be returned to their owners or sold at auction.Social IssuesSlavery: Slaves aboard the U.S.S. Creole take over the ship and sail it to Nassau, where they become free. |
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1842 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
GovernmentThe border between the U.S. and Canada is established from Maine to the Great Lakes.GovernmentAmerican author Washington Irving (1783-1859) is appointed ambassador to Spain.GovernmentStamps: The first adhesive postage stamps are used in the U.S.WarIndian Wars: After destroying the Seminoles’ crops and villages, U.S. troops force a peace treaty and move them to Indian Territory in eastern Oklahoma. | ScienceThe Doppler Effect is described by Christian Doppler (1803-1853).MedicineThe first surgery using an anesthetic—ether—is performed by Dr. Crawford Long (1815-1878) of Georgia.InventionsJoseph Dart builds the first grain elevator. | EducationWomen's Colleges: Augusta Female Seminary—later Mary Baldwin Seminary, then College) is founded by Presbyterians in Staunton, VA; it will become one of the best-known early 19th century schools for girls.Arts and LettersThe New York Philharmonic Orchestra gives its first performance.IdeasRalph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882) becomes editor of "The Dial," an influential transcendentalist publication. | Tyler, LetitiaLetitia Christian Tyler (1790-1842) dies of a second stroke in the White House on September 10. She is the first First Lady to die during her husband's presidency.Mary Todd (1818-1882) and Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) are married on November 4 at her sister Elizabeth’s house in Springfield.Harrison, AnnaMary Symmes Harrison Thornton (1809-1842), daughter of William Henry and Anna Harrison, dies November 16. | DiscoveryJohn Charles Fremont (1813-1890) maps the Oregon Trail and wagon trains begin to move west.Daily LifeDisasters: Mount St. Helens in Washington state erupts. | Sports Horse Racing: Horse races at the Union Course on Long Island attract thousands of fans.Popular CultureP.T. Barnum (1810-1891)exhibits the young midget, Tom Thumb (Charles Sherwood Stratton, c. 1850). | ReformLabor Movement: The landmark Supreme Court decision, Commonwealth v. Hunt, rules that trade union are not illegal, the striking for a closed shop is legal, and that unions cannot be held responsible for illegal actions by individuals. |
1843 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
PoliticsJefferson Davis (1808-1889) enters politics as a delegate to the Democratic State Convention in Alabama.GovernmentDiplomatic representatives are sent to Hawaii by the U.S.GovernmentPresidents: William McKinley (1843-1901), 25th President of the U.S. is born in Niles, Ohio.GovernmentThe first town meeting is held in Boston at Faneuil Hall. | InventionsA U.S. patent for a hand-cranked ice cream freezer is granted to Nancy M. Johnson.InventionsAlexander Bain (1818-1903) of Scotland invents the facsimile. TechnologyAirplanes: William Samuel Henson, England, proposes the Aerial Steam Carriage in "Mechanics Magazine," the first known design for a propeller-driven fixed-wing aircraft. | Arts and LettersPoetry: Alfred Lord Tennyson (1809-1892) writes "Morte d’Arthur" and "Locksley Hall."IdeasSoren Kierkegaard (1813-1855) lays the foundations for existentialism by stressing the primacy of the individualand the inevitability of suffering. IdeasWomen''s Rights Movement: Margaret Fuller (1810-1850) writes “The Great Lawsuit: Man versus Men, Woman versus Women.” | Lincoln, MaryMary Todd (1818-1882) and Abraham Lincoln’s(1809-1865) son Robert Todd (1843-1926) is born August 1 in Springfield, in the Globe Tavern, where the Lincolns lived for a time after their marriage. Pierce, JaneFrank Robert Pierce (1839-1843), son of Franklin and Jane Pierce, dies November 14 of typhoid fever; Franklin Pierce begins to wonder if God is taking his children. | EconomicsSamuel Morse (1791-1872) starts to build a telegraph line between Baltimore and Washington, DC.DiscoveryJohn Charles Fremont (1813-1890) crosses the Rocky Mountains into California.Daily LifeFashion: A new form of female dress--bloomers--is introduced by Amelia Bloomer (1818 - 1894).Daily LifeThe first use of the word “millionaire” occurs in newspapers.Daily LifeThe History of Toys: The Mansion of Happiness is developed by S.B. Ives in Salem, Massachusetts. It becomes the first board game sold in the United States. | Sports Skiing begins as a sport in Norway.Sports Rowing is introduced at Harvard.Popular CultureAmerican Theathre: The first minstrel show is performed in New York City.Popular CultureCharles Dickens (1812-1870) publishes "A Christmas Carol." | ReligionThe Jewish organization B’nai B’rith is founded.ReligionSojourner Truth (1797-1883) becomes a traveling evangelical preacher.ReformLabor Movement: The Lowell Female Labor Reform Association wins the first investigation of labor conditions by a government agency.ReformMental Health Movement: Dorothea Dix (1802-1887) pushes reforms in the way mental health patients are treated through the Massachusetts legislature. |
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1844 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
PoliticsJames Knox Polk (1795-1849) is elected as the 11th President of the U.S., and George Dallas (1792-1864) is elected as the nation's 11th Vice President.GovernmentA plan to annex Texas is rejected by the Senate.GovernmentThe first treaty of peace, amity, and commerce is signed by the U.S. with China.WarA gun on the new frigate Princeton, being demonstrated by the U.S. Navy, explodes, killing the Secretaries of State and the Navy, as well as other government officials. | MedicineNitrous oxide is first used in dentistry.InventionsPaper made from wood pulp is invented by Friedrich Keller.InventionsEnglishman John Mercer (1829- 1897) invents mercerized cotton. TechnologyCharles Goodyear (1800-1860) receives a patent for rubber vulcanization.TechnologySamuel F.B. Morse (1791-1872) sends his first telegraph message to an associate 45 miles away: the message is, “What hath God wrought?” | Arts and LettersLiterature: Alexander Dumas (1802-1870) writes "The Three Musketeers."IdeasKarl Marx (1818-1883) writes of religion as “the sigh of the oppressed creature, the feelings of a heartless world…the opium of the people.” | Madison, DolleyDolley Madison (1768-1849) sells Montpelier and is the first First Lady to be granted a permanent seat on the floor of the House of Representatives. Lincoln, MaryMary Todd (1818-1882) and Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) buy a home from the Episcopal minister who had married them. This will prove to be the only home the couple ever own. Tyler, JuliaJulia Gardner (1820-1889) is the first woman to marry an American President while he was in office. Hayes, LucyLucy Webb's (1831-1889) mother, Maria Webb, moves her family to Delaware, Ohio, so that her sons, Joseph and James, can enroll in the newly formed Methodist college, Ohio Wesleyan University. | EconomicsMorse’s (1791-1872) telegraph is used for the first time between Baltimore and Washington, DC.Daily LifeThe first private bath in an American hotel is built in the New York Hotel. | Sports Cricket: The first official international cricket match is played: Canada vs. United States. | ReligionBrigham Young (1801-1877) is chosen to replace Joseph Smith (1805-1844) as leader of the Mormons.ReligionThe Young Men's Christian Association (YMCA) is founded in England.ReformAnti-Child Labor Movement: The Factory Act in England prohibits children under 13 from working more than 6 ½ hours a day. |
1845 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
GovernmentCongress establishes the first week in November for election day; the harvest is over but the roads are still passable.GovernmentThe U.S. Senate overrides a presidential veto for the first time.GovernmentNew State: Florida becomes the 27th state in the Union.GovernmentNew State: Texas becomes the 28th state in the Union.GovernmentJames Knox Polk (1795-1849) is inaugurated as the 11th President of the U.S., and George Dallas (1792-1864) is inaugurated as the nation's 11th Vice President. | InventionsAmerican Elias Howe (1819-1867) invents a sewing machine. InventionsSarah Mather receives a patent for a submarine telescope.InventionsRubber bands are invented.InventionsThe first pneumatic tires are patented in England.TechnologyAirplanes: William Samuel Henson and John Stringfellow (1799-1883) attempt to form the Aerial Transit Company, which (if only they had a practical airplane), would have been the world's first airline. To drum up support, they build and test a model of Henson's aerial carriage with a 20-foot wingspan. It makes brief glides, but does not sustain flight. | EducationThe first written examinations in elementary schools begin in Boston.EducationHigher Education: The U.S. Naval Academy opens at Annapolis, MD.Arts and LettersPoetry: Edgar Allan Poe (1809-1849) publishes his poem, “The Raven” with the famous line, “Quoth the Raven, Nevermore.”IdeasCatherine Beecher writes An Essay on Slavery and Abolitionism with Reference to the Duty of American Women to Their CountryIdeasMargaret Fuller publishes Women in the Nineteenth Century, an expansion of her earlier essay calling for equality for women. | Polk, SarahSarah Childress Polk (1803-1891) is the first First Lady to be "selected" by the previous President for her position (President Tyler told newly elected James Polk that he needed to get married and should marry Sarah). As a result of this selection, Sarah is the first First Lady to serve as her husband's personal secretary. Harrison, AnnaAnna Tuthill Harrison Taylor (1813-1845), daughter of William Henry and Anna Harrison, dies July 5. Hayes, LucyLucy Webb (1831-1889) attends classes at Ohio Wesleyan and receives some credits from the College, although female students are not officially enrolled there.Jackson, RachelAndrew Jackson (1767-1845), 7th President of the U.S., dies at the Hermitage in Nashville, Tennessee. | EconomicsPower looms for weaving carpets and tapestries are built by Erastus Bigelow (1814-1879).Daily LifeThe Eastern Hotel in Boston becomes the first steam-heated building in the U.S.Daily LifeMagazines: "Scientific American Magazine" begins publication. | | ReligionChildren’s Books: "Letter to My Young Cousin" by American Sunday school Union. This is a book of religious advice on behavior in the family, written as from one teenage girl to another.Social IssuesImmigration: The potato crop fails in Europe, hitting Ireland especially hard; Irish immigrants continue to flock to the U.S.ReformLabor Movement: The Industrial Congress of the U.S., one of the earliest labor unions, is organized. |
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1846 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
GovernmentNew State: Iowa becomes the 29th state in the U.S.WarMexican War: The U.S. declares war on Mexico over California. U.S. forces under General Zachary Taylor (1784-1850) defeat the Mexicans at Palo Alto, the Navy occupies Monterey, and the territory of New Mexico is annexed to the U.S. | ScienceCaroline Herschel (1750-1848) is awarded the King of Prussia’s Gold Medal for science.ScienceThe planet Neptune is discovered by German astronomer Johann Gottfied Galle.MedicineDr. William Morton (1819-1868), a Massachusetts dentist, is the first to use anesthesia for tooth extraction. InventionsElias Howe (1819-1867) receives a patent for his sewing machine. | EducationThe Smithsonian Institution is established in Washington, DC as a center for scientific research.EducationEducation of Women: The National Academy of Design accepts women students.IdeasCatherine Beecher (1800-1878) publishes "The Evils Suffered by American Women and American Children." | Lincoln, MaryWith Mary’s (1818-1882) encouragement, Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) is elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.Lincoln, MaryEdward Baker (1846-1850), son of Mary Todd and Abraham Lincoln, born on March 10 in Springfield. Tyler, JuliaDavid Gardiner "Gardie" Tyler (1846-1927), the first son born to John Tyler and his second wife Julia, is born on July 12. Harrison, AnnaElizabeth "Betsey" Bassett Harrison Short (1796-1846), the oldest daughter of William Henry and Anna Harrison, is born September 29. Harrison, AnnaElizabeth "Betsey" Bassett Harrison Short (1796-1846), the oldest daughter of William Henry and Anna Harrison, dies September 26. | Daily LifeWomen''s Firsts: Sarah Bagley (1806-1848) becomes the first woman telegrapher in the U.S.Daily LifeThe first painted Christmas card is designed. | Sports Baseball: New York surveyor Alexander Cartwrite codifies the rules of baseball.Sports Baseball: The first recorded baseball game is played in Hoboken, NJ.Popular CultureEdward Lear (1812-1888) publishes his "Book of Nonsense." | ReligionThe Mormons under Brigham Young (1801-1877) move westward beyond the U.S. borders to the Great Salt Lake.ReligionThe American Missionary Association is founded, combining Protestant evangelicalism with abolitionism.Social IssuesSlavery: During the Mexican-American War, Mexico is defeated and forced to yield an enormous amount of territory to the United States. Americans then wrestle with a controversial topic: Should slavery be permitted in the new lands?ReformCapital Punishment: Michigan becomes the first state to outlaw capital punishment. |
1847 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
GovernmentCalifornia comes under U.S. control.GovernmentLiberia, colonized by American ex-slaves, becomes the first independent republic in Africa.GovernmentStamps: United States stamps debut. The first two feature George Washington (1732-1799) and Ben Franklin (1706-1790). | ScienceMaria Mitchell (1818-1889) discovers a new comet which is named after her.ScienceJoseph Leidy (1823-1891) suggests that the environment affects changes (evolution) within a species.MedicineChildbirth assisted by anesthetic (chloroform) first takes place.MedicineThe American Medical Association is organized in Philadelphia.MedicineAntiseptics are developed by Ignaz Semmelweis (1818-1865), a Hungarian. MedicineEpidemics: Another world-wide epidemic of influenza occurs.InventionsThe ophthalmoscope is invented by Charles Babbage (1791-1871) . | EducationWomen's Colleges: Rockford Female Seminary (later College) is founded in Rockford, IL; it is called the “Mount Holyoke of the West.”Arts and LettersLiterature: Emily Bronte (1818-1848) writes "Wuthering Heights" and Charlotte Bronte (1816-1855) writes "Jane Eyre." | Fillmore, AbigailThe Fillmore (1800-1874) family moves to Albany when Fillmore is elected state comptroller; the children are away at boarding school and college.Mckinley, IdaIda Saxon (1847-1907), future wife of President William McKinley (1843–1901), is born in Canton, Ohio on June 8.Tyler, LetitiaAlice Tyler Denison (1847-1854), daughter of John and Letitia Tyler, is born March 23. | EconomicsEvaporated milk is made for the first time.Daily LifeDisasters: Forty-seven of the eighty-seven members of the Donner Party die while trapped in the Sierra Mountains.Daily LifeThe California town of Yerba Buena is renamed San Francisco.Daily LifeNewspapers: The telegraph is used to transfer stories over great distances, thus making news more immediate. | | ReligionThe Mormons found Salt Lake City, Utah.Social IssuesImmigration: The first Chinese immigrants arrive in the U.S.Social IssuesImmigration: Irish immigration reaches 105,000, 3 times more than the year before.Social IssuesNative Americans: Taos Rebellion against the U.S. military occurs. ReformAbolition Movement: Frederick Douglass (1817-1895) , escaped ex-slave, begins publishing his abolitionist newspaper, the North Star.ReformAnti-Child Labor Movement: Women and children in Britain may only work a 10-hour day. |
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1848 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
PoliticsZachary Taylor (1784-1850) is elected 12th President of the U.S. on the Whig ticket; Millard Fillmore is elected as the 12th Vice President.PoliticsThird Parties: Former Democratic President Martin van Buren (1782-1862) becomes the presidential candidate of the anti-slavery Free-Soil Party. He wins 10 percent of the popular vote, and is credited with siphoning off enough votes from Democratic candidate Lewis Cass (1782-1866 ) to help Whig candidate Zachary Taylor (1784- 1850) win the election. GovernmentNew State: Wisconsin becomes the 30th state in the U.S.WarMexican Wars: The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ends the war with Mexico, the U.S. receives New Mexico and California as well as parts of Nevada, Utah, Arizona and Colorado for $15 million. | ScienceMaria Mitchell (1818-1889) becomes the first woman to be elected a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.ScienceHyperion, the eighth moon of Saturn, is discovered.MedicineEpidemics: More than 5,000 deaths are caused by a cholera epidemic in New York City.InventionsWaldo Hanchett patents the dental chair. InventionsMargaret (Mattie) Knight (1838-1914) (10) invents a stop-motion device to keep shuttles from sliding out of the looms and injuring workers.InventionsChewing gum is invented by John B. Curtis (1827–1897) of Maine. | EducationEducation of Women: A medical school for women opens with 12 students in Boston.EducationWomen’s Colleges: Moore College of Art is founded in Philadelphia (then called the Philadelphia School of Design for Women); it is the first and only women's visual arts college in the nation--and one of only two in the world. EducationPublic Education: Massachusetts Reform School at Westboro opens, where children who have refused to attend public schools are sent. This begins a long tradition of "reform schools," which combine the education and juvenile justice systems.EducationPublic Education: The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo guarantees citizenship rights to everyone living in new American areas, mostly Mexicans and Native people. It also guarantees the continued use of the Spanish language, including in education. One hundred fifty years later, in 1998, California breaks that treaty, by passing Proposition 227, which would make it illegal for teachers to speak Spanish in public schools.EducationLibraries: Boston Public Library becomes the first publicly supported major urban library.IdeasKarl Marx (1818-1883) and Friedrich Engels (1820-1895) publish "The Communist Manifesto." | Tyler, JuliaJohn Alexander "Alex" Tyler (1848-1883), son of John Tyler and his second wife Julia, is born on April 7. Tyler, LetitiaMary Tyler Jones (1815-1848), the first daughter born to John and Letitia Christian Tyler, dies June 17. Taylor, MargaretMargaret Smith Taylor (1788-1852) is the only First Lady whose portrait does not hang in the White House. She refused to ever have it made. Hayes, LucyLucy Webb (1831-1889) meets Rutherford B. Hayes for the first time when he is visiting her town with his mother. She begins college at the Cincinnati Wesleyan Female College this year as well.Adams, LouisaJohn Quincy Adams (1767-1848), son of Abigail and John Adams, dies of a massive stroke on February 23. | EconomicsGold is first discovered in California, in Sutter's mill. After President Polk (1795-1849) announces the news in December, the gold rush begins soon after. Daily LifeNiagara Falls stops flowing for the first time in history because of an ice jam in the Niagara River. | Popular CultureStephen Foster (1826-1864) writes “Oh, Susannah,” which becomes popular among the “49ers” and establishes his reputation as a song writer. | ReligionSpiritualism becomes popular in the U.S.Social IssuesNative Americans: The California Gold Rush begins, increasing Western expansion across former Native American lands.ReformWomen's Rights Movement: The National Convention of Colored Freedmen held in Cleveland, Ohio resolves that women should be elected delegates on an equal basis with men.ReformWomen's Rights Movement: The first Women’s Rights convention is held in Seneca Falls, NY. |
1849 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
GovernmentZachary Taylor (1784-1850) is inaugurated as the 12th President of the U.S. and Millard Fillmore is inaugurated as the 12th Vice President.GovernmentThomas Ewing (1829-1896) of Ohio is appointed as the first Secretary of the Interior, a department created to meet the needs of western settlers.GovernmentCongress establishes the Minnesota territory. | ScienceJeffries Wyman (1814-1874)
describes the similarities between the skeletons of apes and humans.MedicineWomen's Firsts: Female doctors are permitted to practice medicine for the first time in the U.S., and Elizabeth Blackwell (1821-1910) becomes the first woman physician in the U.S. InventionsThe safety pin is invented by Walter Hunt (1796-1859) , trying to satisfy a $15 debt; he spends 3 hours bending wire into various forms.InventionsMary Ann Woodward patents a fan that attaches to a rocking chair.TechnologyAirplanes: Sir George Cayley (1773-1857), builds a small glider designed to lift about 80 pounds of the ground. He refers to it as his Boy Glider. It is the first recorded manned (or boyed) fixed-wing aircraft. It lifts a 10-year old boy off the ground for a few yards on test runs. Cayley also flew it in a high wind like a kite, tethered to the ground. | EducationChildren’s Books: Anna Maria Hall (1800-1881) is one of the most prolific Victorian writers for children, best known for such moral tales as "Grandmamma's Pockets." EducationThe Free Academy in New York City opens; it will become the College of the City of New York and offer free education to the children of New York’s working class. | Madison, DolleyDolley Madison (1768-1849) dies on July 12 at the age of 81.Polk, SarahJames K. Polk (1795-1849) is the first President to be photographed while in office; he dies on June 15 in Nashville, Tennessee.Fillmore, AbigailThe family moves to Washington.Lincoln, MaryAbraham Lincoln (1809-1865) applies for a patent on a floating dry dock; he is the only U.S. President to do so.Harrison, CarolineCaroline Harrison (1832-1892) meets Benjamin Harrison (1831-1901) , a student of her father’s in Cincinnati.Tyler, JuliaJulia Tyler Spencer (1849-1871), daughter of John Tyler and his second wife Julia, is born on December 25. | EconomicsSeven thousand “49ers” invade California in a search for gold. EconomicsTransportation: Railroad History: The Pacific Railroad Company is chartered, the first railroad west of the Mississippi River.EconomicsWomen''s Rights Movement: Amelia Bloomer (1818 - 1894) begins publishing "The Lily," moving it to Ohio in 1853 and employing female typesetters in spite of a strike by males on the staff. | Sports The Pearl of Bermuda beats the U.S. yacht Brenda in the first recognized international yacht race. | Social IssuesNative Americans: The giant redwood trees in California are named Sequoias in honor of the Cherokee Indian Chief, Sequoya (c.1770-1843).Social IssuesSlavery: California holds a convention, adopting a constitution that forbids slavery and requests admission to the Union.Social IssuesImmigration: The California Gold Rush sparks first mass immigration from China. ReformAbolition Movement: Maryland slave Harriet Tubman (c.1820-1913) escapes to the North with some help from her friends. |
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1850 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
GovernmentSlavery: The Compromise of 1850 is passed after bitter debates about slavery in new territories and states.GovernmentVice President Millard Fillmore (1800-1847) becomes the 13th President of the U.S. on the death of Zachary Taylor. No new Vice President is selected.GovernmentNew State: California becomes the 31st state in the U.S.GovernmentThe city of Los Angeles is incorporated.GovernmentNew Mexico (which included present day Arizona, southern Colorado, southern Utah, and southern Nevada) is designated a territory, but denied statehood. | ScienceThe inner-most ring of Saturn is discovered. InventionsThe continuous stitch sewing machine is invented by Isaac Singer (1811-1875).InventionsJoel Houghton is granted the first dishwasher patent in 1850. TechnologyNewspapers: Powerful, giant presses appear, and they are able to print ten thousand complete papers per hour.TechnologyThe first clear photograph of the moon is made (a daguerreotype). | EducationChildren’s Books: "Three Little Kittens" and other stories from Mama Lovechild''s Series were issued by the American toy and game publisher, McLoughlin Brothers.EducationEducation of Women: The Female Medical College of Pennsylvania is founded.EducationPublic Education: One of the first “free,” or public, schools in New Jersey is founded by Clara Barton (1821-1912).Arts and LettersPoetry: Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806-1861) writes "Sonnets from the Portuguese." Arts and LettersLiterature: Nathaniel Hawthorne (1804-1864) writes "The Scarlet Letter." | Lincoln, MaryEdward Baker Lincoln (1846-1850), son of Mary Todd and Abraham Lincoln, dies of tuberculosis at age 3, on February 1.Lincoln, MaryWilliam Wallace Lincoln (1850-1862), son of Mary Todd and Abraham Lincoln, is born on December 21.Taylor, MargaretPresident Zachary Taylor (1784-1850), 12th President of the U.S., dies of indigestion on July 9 in Washington D.C. after less than a year-and-a-half in office on .Fillmore, AbigailThe first library in the White House is established by Abigail Fillmore (1798-1853); She used her furniture money to buy the books. In addition to the library, she also had the first White House bathtub installed and replaced the fireplace used for cooking with the first White House cookstove. Grant, JuliaFredrick Dent Grant (1850-1912), son of Ulysses and Julia Grant, is born May 30. Tyler, LetitiaElizabeth "Lizzie" Tyler Waller (1823-1850), daughter of John and Letitia Tyler, dies June 1 from childbirth complications.Hayes, LucyLucy Webb Hayes (1831-1889) is the first First Lady to earn a college degree from Cincinnati Wesleyan. Monroe, ElizabethMaria Hester Monroe Gouverneur (1803-1850) President James Monroe and Elizabeth Monroe, dies at the age of 47. | EconomicsYoung Bavarian-American Levi Strauss (1829-1902) invents blue jeans. EconomicsPopulation: The population of the U.S. is 23 million (3.2 million black slaves).Daily LifeFashion: Crinolines become popular in the U.S., later to be replaced by hoop skirts.Daily LifeNewspapers: The first "pictorial" weekly newspapers emerge; for the first time they feature extensive illustrations of news events. | Popular CultureCharles Dickens (1812-1870) publishes "David Copperfield."Popular CultureP.T. Barnum (1810-1891) brings Jenny Lind (1820-1887) to sing in the U.S.Popular CultureSteven Foster (1826-1864) writes “Camptown Races.” | Social IssuesNative Americans: Silversmithing is introduced to the Navajo Indians, who make it an art form.Social IssuesSlavery: The Compromise of 1850 includes the Fugitive Slave Act, a law designed to assist in the recovery of runaway slaves by increasing federal officers and denying fugitive slaves a right to a jury trial. ReformWomen's Rights Movement: Women gain the right to own land in Oregon.ReformAbolition Movement: Harriet Tubman (c.1820-1913) begins to lead slaves to freedom on the Underground Railroad. She makes 19 trips back to the South to free about 300 slaves. |
1851 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
GovernmentAmerican Money: Three-cent coins are authorized by Congress.GovernmentNational Capital: The dome on top of the Capitol Building is designed. | ScienceUnderstanding of the rotation of the earth is advanced.MedicineElizabeth Blackwell (1821-1910) sets up a small medical clinic in a New York City tenement district.MedicineThe use of glass eyes is introduced; many think they will restore sight. | EducationLibraries: The first law allowing towns to support free libraries through taxes is passed in Massachusetts.EducationTeacher Education: White American education pioneer Myrrilla Miner opens a teaching college for black women in Washington, DC, the Miner Normal School, amid threats, arson attempts, and stone-throwing mobs.EducationLibraries: Fire at the Library of Congress burns two-thirds of its collection, 900 of which have still to be replaced.EducationPublic Education: State of Massachusetts passes its first compulsory education law. The goal is to make sure that the children of poor immigrants get "civilized" and learn obedience and restraint, so they make good workers and don't contribute to social upheaval.Arts and LettersOpera: Giuseppe Verdi’s (1813-1901) opera "Rigoletto" is first performed in Venice.Arts and LettersLiterature: Herman Melville (1819-1891) publishes "Moby Dick." | Tyler, JuliaLachlan Tyler (1851-1902), son of John Tyler and his second wife Julia, is born December 2. Hayes, LucyRutherford B. Hayes (1822-1881) asks Lucy Webb (1831-1889) to marry him; she accepts. | Daily LifeNewspapers: The "New York Times" begins publishing.Daily LifeThe first double-decker omnibus, drawn by horses, appears in England.Daily LifeFashion: Amelia Jenks Bloomer (1818-1894) gives her name to “bloomers,” a split skirt designed by Elizabeth Smith Miller (1822-1911) for bicycle riding. | Sports In the America’s Cup race, the U.S. yacht America beats the British yacht Aurora on Cowes, England.Sports Baseball: The first baseball uniforms are worn by the New York Knickerbockers—straw hats, white shirts, and blue trousers.Popular CultureStephen Foster (1826-1864) publishes “Old Folks at Home.”Popular CultureChildren’s Books: The American abolitionist novel Uncle Tom's Cabin by Harriet Beecher Stowe (1812-1896) was pirated and abridged to become a children's classic. Although the book presents both African-American and white characters through melodrama and stereotype, the novel has received increasing critical reappraisal in recent years. | ReligionThe first Young Men’s Christian Association (WMCA) opens in Boston.Social IssuesNative Americans: The Sioux Indians give their Iowa lands, and most of their lands in Minnesota to the U.S.ReformTemperance Movement: Prohibition against liquor is begun in Maine and Illinois.ReformNative Americans: Bishop Jean Baptiste Lamy (1818-1888) arrives in New Mexico and establishes schools, hospitals and orphanages throughout the territory. ReformWomen's Rights Movement: Sojourner Truth (1797-1883) gives her famous "Ain't I a Woman" speech at the Women's Rights Convention in Akron, Ohio.ReformHarriet Beecher Stow publishes the first installment of "Uncle Tom's Cabin" in an abolitionist weekly. After 40 more installments, it is published as a book in 1852. |
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1852 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
PoliticsDemocrat Franklin Pierce (1804-1869) is elected as the 14th President of the U.S., defeating the Whig candidate, General Winfield Scott; William R. King (1786-1853) is elected as the 13th Vice President. The Whig party ceases to be a power.GovernmentNapoleon III (1808-1873) becomes the Emperor of France.GovernmentThe South African Republic (Transvaal) is established.GovernmentStamps: The first pre-stamped envelopes are sold. Pre-stamped postcards (for a penny) appear 19 years later. | ScienceKerosene is discovered and named.MedicineA Dutch army surgeon creates the first cast for broken bones by injecting bandages with plaster.InventionsElisha Gray (1835-1901) invents a safety device to prevent the fall of heavy machinery; his invention makes the development of the elevator possible.InventionsJames Otis (died 1861) designs a passenger elevator.InventionsThe non-rigid airship is invented by Henri Giffard. | EducationEducation of Women: Elizabeth Blackwell (1821-1910) publishes "The Laws of Life, with Special Reference to the Physical Education of Girls."EducationWomen's Colleges: The National Women’s Education Association is founded by Catherine Beecher (1800-1878) to provide help for women’s colleges, and promote the idea of women as teachers.EducationThe first effective school attendance law is passed in Massachusetts; it requires at least 12 weeks attendance for all children between 8 and 14, six of which must be consecutive.EducationLibraries: The Boston Public Library is founded.EducationWomen’s Colleges: Mills College is founded in California; it is the oldest women's college in the western part of the United States. | Johnson, ElizaAndrew Johnson Jr. (1852-1879), son of Andrew and Eliza Johnson, is born August 6. Grant, JuliaUlysses Simpson "Buck" Grant Jr. (1852-1929), son of Ulysses and Julia Grant, is born July 22. Madison, DolleyJohn Payne Todd (1792-1852), the biological son of Dolley Madison and the stepson of President James Madison, dies of typhoid fever. John''s life choices, made him a charlatan and constant disgrace to his parents. Hayes, LucyLucy Webb (1831-1889) and Rutherford B. Hayes (1822-1881) are married on December 30 in Cincinnati.Adams, LouisaLouisa Catherine Johnson Adams (1775-1852) dies in Washington on May 15 at the age of seventy-seven; the U.S. Congress adjourns to attend her funeral, the first time this honor is conferred upon a woman.Taylor, MargaretMargaret Mackall Smith Taylor (1788-1852) dies near Pascagoula, Mississippi on August 18 at the age of sixty-four. | EconomicsThe Wells Fargo Company is founded.DiscoveryLivingstone (1813-1873) begins explorations of the Zambezi River in South Africa.Daily LifeThe U.S. imports sparrows from Germany as a defense against caterpillars. | Sports The first intercollegiate rowing race is held between Harvard and Yale.Popular CultureThe character of “Uncle Sam” appears for the first time in the "New York Lantern Weekly."Popular CultureStephen Foster (1826-1864) writes “My Old Kentucky Home.” | ReligionAmerican Catholics hold their first Plenary Council in Baltimore.Social IssuesImmigration: Chinese immigration is encouraged in California, particularly to provide labor for building railroads.ReformLabor Movement: Ohio becomes the first state to regulate working hours for women.ReformTemperance Movement: The Woman’s New York Temperance Society is formed by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony. |
1853 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
GovernmentWith the Gadsden Treaty, the U.S. secures land from Mexico that completes its acquisition of land in the continental United States.GovernmentThe Washington Territory is formed from part of the Oregon Territory.GovernmentFranklin Pierce (1804-1869) is inaugurated as the 14th President of the U.S., and William R. King (1786-1853) is inaugurated as the 13th Vice President. King dies soon after taking office, and is not replaced. | MedicineEpidemics: More than 3,000 perish from yellow fever in New Orleans.MedicineAlexander Wood (1817-1884) uses hypodermic syringes for injections under the skin.MedicineSmallpox vaccinations are made compulsory in Britain.MedicineChloroform is used by Queen Victoria (1819-1901) as an anesthetic in the birth of her 7th child; it becomes an accepted practice in England.InventionsAfrican American inventors: George Crum invents the potato chip.TechnologyAirplanes: The first heavier-than-air flying machine, a glider, flies across a valley for 500 yards carrying its frightened creator, George Cayley (1773-1857). | EducationChildren’s Books: From his weekly magazine, "Household Words," Charles Dickens (1812-1870) waxes nostalgic for the educationally-incorrect fairy tales and nursery rhymes of his youth, such as Aladdin or Jack the Giant-Killer.EducationHigher Education: Antioch College in Ohio opens.EducationWomen's Colleges: American educator Mary Easton Sibley (1800-1878) founds the Lindenwood Female College in Missouri.Arts and LettersPainting: Rosa Bonheur’s (1822-1899) painting, "The Horse Fair," establishes her reputation as an artist. | Fillmore, AbigailAbigail Powers Fillmore (1798-1853) dies of pneumonia at the Willard Hotel in Washington at the age of fifty-five.Harrison, CarolineCaroline Scott (1832-1892) graduates from the Oxford Female Academy. She begins teaching Pierce, JaneBenjamin Pierce (1841-1853), son of Franklin and Jane Pierce, dies tragically January 16 in a train accident before his parents' eyes. Hayes, LucyBirchard Austin Hayes (1853-1926), son of Rutherford and Lucy Hayes, is born November 4 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Lincoln, MaryMary Todd and Abraham Lincoln’s son Thomas "Tad" (1853-1871) is born on April 4 in Springfield.Tyler, JuliaLyon Gardiner Tyler (1853-1935), son of John Tyler and his second wife Julia, is born in August. | EconomicsAmerican Money: Three-dollar gold pieces are authorized by Congress.EconomicsTransportation: Railroad History: The Baltimore and Ohio railroad is completed as far as the Ohio River.EconomicsTransportation: Railroad History: The New York Central railroad is formed, connecting New York City and Buffalo, NY.EconomicsThe building of Steinway pianos is begun in New York City by Henry Steinway (1797-1871) and his three sons.EconomicsTiffany and Company, jewelers, is established.EconomicsCondensed milk is introduced by Gail Borden (1801-1871).DiscoveryCommander Matthew Perry (1794-1858) sails into Japan’s Edo Bay, hoping to open Japan to trade with the west. | | ReligionWomen's Firsts: Antoinette Brown Blackwell (1825-1921) becomes the first ordained minister of a recognized denomination, the Congregationalists.ReformWomen's Suffrage Movement: Seventy-three women present a petition to the Massachusetts Constitutional Convention urging women’s suffrage. |
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1854 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
PoliticsPolitical Parties: The Republican Party is formed in Ripon, Wisconsin; opposition to slavery is their central principle.PoliticsThird Parties: The Know-Nothing Party is formed; native white Protestants opposed to immigration and Catholicism run Millard Fillmore (1800-1874) for President.GovernmentClara Barton (1821-1912) becomes perhaps the first regularly appointed woman civil servant in the U.S. with a clerkship in a Washington, DC patent office.GovernmentThe Gadsden Purchase Treaty is ratified. | MedicineFlorence Nightingale (1820-1910) introduces nurses and standards of cleanliness into military hospitals in the Crimea.InventionsThe first form of the electric light bulb is invented by Heinrich Goebel (1818-1893) in Germany.InventionsThe Smith and Wesson revolver is invented.TechnologyThe use of the Bunsen burner is introduced. | EducationSpecial Education: The first state-supported school especially designed for the mentally retarded opens in Syracuse, NY.EducationEducation of Women: Emily Blackwell (1826-1910), Elizabeth Blackwell’s sister, earns a medical degree at Cleveland’s Western Reserve University.Arts and LettersHenry David Thoreau (1817-1862) writes "Walden," or "Life in the Woods." Arts and LettersPoetry: Alfred Lord Tennyson (1809-1892) writes "The Charge of the Light Brigade," a poem about a tragic battle in the Crimean War. | Harrison, CarolineCaroline (1832-1892)and Benjamin Harrison (1831-1901) move to Indianapolis, Indiana.Fillmore, AbigailMary Abigail (Abby) Fillmore (1832-1854) dies of cholera on July 27 at the age of 22.Hayes, LucyLucy (1831-1889) and Rutherford Hayes (1822-1893) and their family move into its own house in Cincinnati.Tyler, LetitiaAlice Tyler Denison (1847-1854), daughter of John and Letitia Tyler, dies June 8 of colic. Harrison, CarolineCaroline and Benjamin Harrison’s son, Russell Benjamin Harrison (1854-1936), is born on August 12. | EconomicsTransportation: Railroad History: Immigration: 13,000 Chinese arrive, the beginning of large-scale Chinese immigration; they are employed largely in railroad building in the west. | Popular CultureStephen Foster (1826-1864) writes “Jeanne with the Light Brown Hair.” | ReligionPope Pius IX (1792-1878) sets forth the dogma of the Immaculate Conception.Social IssuesSlavery: During the Kansas-Nebraska Act, Congress sets aside the rulings from the Missouri Compromise of 1820 and allows these two new territories to choose whether or not to allow slavery. Violent clashes erupt.ReformAbolition Movement: Northern resistance to the expansion of slavery increases.ReformTemperance Movement: Black temperance advocate Frances Ellen Watkins Harper (1825-1911) lectures for antislavery societies.ReformWomen's Rights Movement: Susan B. Anthony collects 6,000 signatures on a petition for women’s rights. |
1855 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
LawThe first U.S. Court of Claims is established.GovernmentStamps: Prepayment of postage is required in United States | InventionsKerosene is patented by Abraham Gesner (1797-1864) .InventionsThe printing telegraph is invented.InventionsThe first patent for the production of rayon is obtained by George Audemars. | EducationThe first German-language kindergarten in the United States is established by Margarethe Schurtz in Watertown, WI.EducationA professorship of technology is created at Edinburgh University.EducationChildren’s Books: Charlotte Yonge (1823-1901) publishes the children's historical novel, "The Little Duke," and also "The History of Sir Thomas Thumb, a traditional folktale to which Yonge adds material from the Arthurian legends and from the German tales of the Brothers Grimm.Arts and LettersPoetry: Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882) writes "Hiawatha."Arts and LettersPoetry: Walt Whitman (1819-1892) writes "Leaves of Grass."Arts and LettersThe Boston Philharmonic Orchestra is organized. | Lincoln, MaryAbraham Lincoln (1809-1865) runs unsuccessfully for the Senate.Grant, JuliaEllen Wrenshall "Nellie" Grant Sartoris Jones (1855-1922), daughter of Ulysses and Julia Grant, is born July 4. Van Buren, HannahMartin Van Buren (1812-1855), son of Martin and Hannah Van Buren, dies in Paris on March 19. | EconomicsTransportation: The first Cunard liner crosses the Atlantic in 9 ½ days.EconomicsThe first oil refinery in the U.S. is built in Pittsburgh.DiscoveryMissionary David Livingstone (1813-1873) discovers falls on the Zambezi River which he names Victoria Falls. | Sports Horseback riding by women becomes popular; many riding academies are set up to help women learn. | Social IssuesSlavery: Fugitive slave Ann Wood leads a wagon load of armed boys and girls in a shootout with slave catchers; two are killed and the rest escape to the North. |
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1856 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
PoliticsJames Buchanan (1791-1868) , Democrat, is elected the 15th President of the U.S., and John C. Breckenridge (1821-1875) is elected as the nation's 14th Vice President.PoliticsThird Parties: Former President Millard Fillmore (1800-1874) is selected to be the presidential candidate of the Know-Nothing or American Party. GovernmentPresidents: Woodrow Wilson (1856-1924) , 28th President of the United States, is born.WarThe Crimean War ends with the signing of the Treaty of Paris. | ScienceA Neanderthal skull is found in a cave near Dusseldorf in Germany.InventionsHenry Bessemer (1813-1898) invents a process which makes it possible to mass-produce low-cost steel.InventionsA patent for a pencil with an attached eraser is granted to H.L. Lipman.InventionsLouis Pasteur (1822-1895) invents the process of pasteurisation. TechnologyRailroad History: The first railroad bridge across the Mississippi River is completed between Rock Island, Illinois and Davenport, Iowa. | Arts and LettersAmerican Theatre: The first American copyright law is established because of the efforts of Dion Boucicault (1820-1890). In its earliest form, it only protects the title of the play. | Tyler, JuliaRobert Fitzwalter Tyler (1856-1927), son of John Tyler and his second wife Julia, is born March 12. Lane, HarrietHarriet Lane (1830-1903) serves as James Buchanan's hostess because he never married. Hayes, LucyLucy and Rutherford Hayes’s second son, James Webb Hayes (1856-1934), is born on March 20th in Cincinnati.Hayes, LucyFannie Hayes Platt, Rutherford’s sister and Lucy’s great friend, dies of complications of childbirth. | EconomicsThe first street trains, powered by steam, begin running between Boston and Cambridge, MA.EconomicsThe Western Union Company is established.DiscoveryBorax is discovered in California. | Sports Boxing: The longest bare-knuckle boxing match in history pits James Kelly vs. Jack Smith in Melbourne, Australia; the fight lasts 6 hours and 15 minutes.Sports Women in Sports: Catherine Beecher (1800-78) publishes Physiology and Calisthenics for Schools and Families, the first fitness manual for women. | Social IssuesNative Americans: The Pottawatomie Massacre takes place in Kansas.ReformAbolition Movement: An anti-slavery group led by John Brown (1800-1859) attacks a pro-slavery settlement in Franklin County, Kansas. Horace Greeley’s (1811-1872) "New York Tribune" calls the territory “Bleeding Kansas.” |
1857 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
LawSlavery: In the Dred Scott decision, the Supreme Court rules that slaves are not free just because they live in a free state, that blacks do not have the right to sue in federal court, and that Congress does not have the right to try to exclude slavery from the territories.GovernmentPresidents: William Howard Taft (1857-1930) , 27th President of the United States, is born.GovernmentJames Buchanan (1791-1868) is inaugurated as the 15th President of the U.S., and John C. Breckenridge (1821-1875) is inaugurated as the nation's 14th Vice President.GovernmentStamps: Perforated U.S. stamps appear (Previously people had to cut apart sheets of stamps).GovernmentNational Capital: The House of Representatives moves into its current home in the south wing of the Capitol. | ScienceYeast is discovered to be a living plant.ScienceLouis Pasteur (1822-1895) proves that fermentation is caused by living organisms.ScienceIn a letter to Asa Gray (1810-1888) , Charles Darwin (1809-1882) first outlines his theories of evolution and natural selection.MedicineElizabeth Blackwell (1821-1910) founds her own New York Infirmary for Women and Children.MedicineEpidemics: One of the worst epidemics of influenza begins this year and spreads around the world in the next two years.InventionsGeorge Pullman (1831-1897) invents the Pullman Sleeping Car for train travel. TechnologyAirplanes: Jean-Marie Le Bris (1817-1872), a French sea caption, tests a glider modeled after an albatross. This "artificial bird" makes one short glide, but on the second glide it crashes and Le Bris breaks his leg. | EducationChildren’s Books: Thomas Hughes (1822-1896), writes "Tom Brown's Schooldays," making Arnold's Rugby the model for what Victorian schoolboys expected their schools to be like.EducationLibraries: The Watkinson Library is founded as a “a library of reference” for the community of Hartford, Connecticut.EducationThe National Education Association is founded in Philadelphia for the purpose of advancing the professionalism of teaching.Arts and LettersLiterature: Gustave Flaubert (1821-1880) publishes "Madame Bovary."Ideas'The Atlantic Monthly' is founded. | Hayes, LucyLucy Hayes (1831-1889) takes great pleasure in her new sewing machine, a gift from her mother.Lane, HarrietHarriet Lane (1830-1903) is the first woman to have a federal steamship named after her. | EconomicsE.G. Otis installs the first safety elevator.EconomicsThe laying of the transatlantic cable begins.EconomicsA financial panic triggers a serious depression; thousands of businesses fail.Daily LifeCentral Park, in New York City, is designed.Daily LifeHolidays: The first Mardi Gras pageant of decorated floats is held in New Orleans.Daily LifeThe American Chess Association is formed. | Sports Baseball: Twenty-five teams form the first baseball association, the National Association of Baseball Players. | ReformWomen's Rights Movement: The Married Women’s Property Bill passes in England. |
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1858 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
GovernmentA treaty of peace, friendship, and commerce is signed between the U.S. and China.GovernmentNew State: Minnesota becomes the 32nd state in the U.S.GovernmentPresidents: Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919) , 26th President of the United States, is born.GovernmentBritain takes over the government of India from the East India Company. | ScienceThe cell is isolated by Berlin doctor Rudolf Virchow (1821-1902) , who calls it the basic unit of all life.InventionsHamilton Smith (1862-1943) patents the rotary washing machine. InventionsJean Lenoir (1822-1900) invents an internal combustion engine. | EducationChildren’s Books: Rev. Frederic William Farrar (1831-1903), a schoolmaster, writes the moralistic tale "Eric," or "Little by Little," about a boy who goes bad.EducationA chemistry department and research lab are established by Harvard University.Arts and LettersThe first public concert is performed by the New York Symphony Orchestra.Arts and LettersPoetry: “The Courtship of Miles Standish” is published by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807-1882). | Lincoln, MaryAbraham Lincoln (1809-1865) runs for the Senate from Illinois against incumbent Democrat Stephen Douglas (1813-1861); he loses, but the Lincoln-Douglas debates form a part of U.S. history.Hayes, LucyLucy and Rutherford Hayes’s third son, Rutherford Platt Hayes (1858-1927), is born on June 24 in Cincinnati.Hayes, LucyRutherford Hayes (1822-1893) is appointed to an unexpired term as city solicitor of Cincinnati in December.Hayes, LucyThe Hayes family has its first Christmas tree, decorated as a surprise by their German servants.Harrison, CarolineCaroline and William Harrison’s first daughter, Mary Scott (1858-1930) is born on April 3.Grant, JuliaJesse Root Grant (1858-1934), son of Ulysses and Julia Grant, is born February 6. | EconomicsThe transatlantic cable is completed, allowing telegraphic communication between the U.S. and Britain; the service ends after a month because the signal is too weak.EconomicsTransportation: Stagecoach service and mail delivery begin between San Francisco and St. Louis.EconomicsMacy’s Department Store opens.DiscoveryLake Tanganyika in East Africa is first discovered by Europeans.Daily LifePrincess Victoria (1840-1901) of England (daughter of Queen Victoria) chooses Wagner’s “Bridal Chorus” and Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March” for her wedding, thus beginning a tradition.
Daily LifeCrime and Punishment: The first use of fingerprints as a means of identification occurs in India. | Sports Baseball: The National Association of Baseball Players is organized. | ReligionMarie-Bernard Soubirous (1843-1879), later to become St. Bernadette of Lourdes, first sees a vision of the Virgin Mary at Lourdes in France.ReligionThe Ladies’ Christian Association, forerunner to the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA), is founded in New York City.ReligionAnother religious revival begins in New York and Pennsylvania and sweeps across the country; religious conversions are many.Social IssuesSlavery: Slaves are sold at very high prices because of high demand for cotton, and southerners begin to talk about reopening the slave trade. |
1859 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
LawThe Supreme Court upholds the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850; Georgia prohibits the deathbed manumission of slaves and rules that free blacks can be sold back into slavery; tensions between North and South escalate.GovernmentPresident James Buchanan (1791-1868) rules that the New Mexico territory should become a reservation for American Indians.GovernmentNew State: Oregon becomes the 33rd state in the U.S.GovernmentNational Capital: The Senate moves into the enlarged north wing of the Capitol, where it remains, today.WarThe first iron-clad armored warship, Britain’s HMS Warrior, is launched. | ScienceBotanist Almira Hart Lincoln Phelps (1793-1884) is the second woman elected to the American Association for the Advancement of Science.ScienceCharles Darwin’s (1809-1882) "Origin of the Species" is published.InventionsThe first practical storage battery is invented.InventionsThe steamroller is invented. | EducationThe Cooper Union in New York City is established, primarily for adult education in the arts and sciences.Arts and LettersOpera: The opera "Faust" is performed.Arts and LettersLiterature: Charles Dickens (1812-1870) writes "A Tale of Two Cities."Arts and LettersWomen's Firsts: Harriet E. Wilson (1827-1863), author of "Our Nig," becomes the first African-American novelist published in the U.S. | Hayes, LucyRutherford B. Hayes (1822-1893) is elected to his own two-year term as city solicitor in Cincinnati.Hayes, LucyThe Hayes home is enlarged, with quarters for servants and a brick kitchen with a new range. | EconomicsWork is begun on the Suez Canal.EconomicsThe first commercial oil well is brought in at Titusville, PA.DiscoveryThe first large silver deposit found in the U.S., the Comstock Lode, is found in Nevada.Daily LifeBig Ben, the clock tower of the Houses of Parliament in London is started. | Sports Baseball: The first intercollegiate baseball game in the U.S. is played by students from Amherst and Williams Colleges in Massachusetts.Sports The first national billiards champion wins a $15,000 prize.Popular CultureCharles Blondin (1824-1897) walks across Niagara Falls on the tightrope; he is watched by 25,000 people.Popular CultureWearing the body-hugging costume later named for him, Jules Leotard (1839-1870) performs the first flying trapeze act without a net at the Cirque Napoleon.Popular CultureDaniel Emmett (1815-1904) writes “Dixie” and "Turkey in the Straw." | ReformAbolition Movement: John Brown (1800-1859) seizes the armory at Harper’s Ferry to provide for his militia; he is later captured and hanged. |
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1860 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
PoliticsSouth Carolina secedes from the Union followed within two months by Mississippi, Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Louisiana and Texas. PoliticsAbraham Lincoln (1809-1865) of Illinois becomes the first Republican to win the United States Presidency; he becomes the 16th President and Hannibal Hamlin (1809-1891) of Maine is elected as the 15th Vice President.GovernmentThe U.S. Secret Service is established.GovernmentStamps: By 1860, almost all countries have postage stamps. | ScienceThe fact that the star Sirius is a double star is discovered.MedicineFlorence Nightingale (1820-1910) opens the world’s first school of nursing.InventionsThe first practical gasoline engine is built. | EducationThe first English language kindergarten is established in Boston by Elizabeth Peabody (1804-1894).EducationOlympia Brown (1835-1926) becomes the first woman to study theology with men—at St. Lawrence University.Arts and LettersLiterature: George Eliot(1819-1880) (Mary Ann Evans) publishes "The Mill on the Floss."Arts and LettersAmerican Theatre: Dion Boucicault (1820-1890) begins promotion of "combination companies". The company and players would travel with scenery for 1 play. | Arthur, EllenWilliam Lewis Arthur (1860-1863), son of Chester Alan and Ellen Arthur, is born December 10. Tyler, JuliaPearl Tyler Ellis (1860-1947), daughter of John Tyler and his second wife Julia, is born June 20. Hayes, LucyLucy Hayes’s (1831-1889) boys suffer from mumps, whooping cough, and measles.Hayes, LucyLucy Hayes (1831-1889) and her husband take a long trip, by riverboat, to Canada, by rail and boat to Boston, to New England and home by way of New York City. Total cost: $310.77.Harrison, CarolineCaroline Harrison (1832-1892) begins 30 years of serving on the board of managers of the Indianapolis Orphans’ Asylum.Wilson, EllenEllen Louise Axson (1860-1914), future first wife of President Woodrow Wilson (1856–1924), is born in Savannah, Georgia on May 15.Harding, FlorenceFlorence Kling DeWolfe (1860-1924), future wife of President Warren G. Harding (1865–1923), is born in Marion, Ohio on August 15. | EconomicsSlavery: Cotton shipments are at an all-time high (2 billion pounds a year), which gives the South extra incentives to keep slavery.EconomicsThe first Pony Express riders make it from Missouri to California in 10 days.EconomicsPopulation: The population of the United States (1860) is 32 million.Daily LifeFashion: Bustles begin to take the place of hoop skirts in American women’s fashion.Daily LifeHistory of Toys: A chemistry set for children is offered for sale for $5.00. | Sports Boxing: The longest prizefight in American history is held in Maine; it lasts for 4 hours and 20 minutes.Sports Croquet is introduced to the U.S. from England; it becomes very popular.Sports Golf: The first British Open Golf Championship is held.Popular CultureStephen Foster (1826-1864) composes “Old Black Joe.” | Social IssuesNative Americans: The U.S. Army's Fort Definace in New Mexico is attacked by 1,000 Navaho Indians; the Indians lose.Social IssuesImmigration: Poland’s religious and economic conditions prompt immigration of approximately two million Poles by 1914. ReformWomen's Suffrage Movement: Elizabeth Cady Stanton speaks to a meeting of the New York State Legislature on behalf of women’s suffrage.ReformWomen's Rights Movement: Women are allowed to collect their own wages, to sue, and to inherit their husbands’ property in New York State; married women are allowed to be guardians of their childrenReformLabor Movement: Six thousand shoemakers go on strike in Lynn, MA for higher wages; the companies grant higher wages but refuse to recognize the union. |
1861 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
PoliticsJefferson Davis (1808-1889) is elected President of the Confederate States of America.PoliticsVirginia secedes from the Union, followed within five weeks by Arkansas, Tennessee, and North Carolina, thus forming an eleven state Confederacy with a population of 9 million. GovernmentAbraham Lincoln (1809-1865) is inaugurated as the 16th President and Hannibal Hamlin (1809-1891) is inaugurated as the 15th Vice President.GovernmentNew State: Kansas becomes the 34th state in the United States.GovernmentThe United States introduces the passport system.GovernmentCongress passes the first income tax in the U.S. to support the war.WarCivil War: The Union Army under Gen. Irvin McDowell (1818-1885) suffers a defeat at Bull Run 25 miles southwest of Washington. WarCivil War: Pierre Beauregard (1813-1893) opens fire with 50 cannons upon Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina. The Civil War begins. WarConfederates invade New Mexico from Texas.The Confederate Territory of Arizona is declared with the capital at La Mesilla. WarCivil War; National Capital: The U.S. Capitol houses Union soldiers, providing medical attention and a place to sleep. | InventionsElisha Otis (1811-1861) patents elevator safety brakes, creating a safer elevator. InventionsLinus Yale (1821-1868) invents the Yale lock or cylinder lock. | EducationThe first American doctor of philosophy degree is awarded by Yale University.EducationWomen's Colleges: Vassar College for women is founded in Poughkeepsie, NY.Arts and LettersPoetry: George Eliot (1819-1880) (Mary Ann Evans) writes "Silas Marner."Arts and LettersLiterature: Charles Dickens (1812-1870) writes "Great Expectations." | Lincoln, MaryThe Lincolns (Abraham: 1809-1865 and Mary Todd: 1818-1882) move into the White House in March of 1861.Hayes, LucyRutherford B. Hayes (1822-1893) joins the 23rd Ohio Volunteer infantry as a Major. Hayes, LucyLucy and Rutherford Hayes’s fourth son, Joseph Thompson (1861-1863), is born on December 21 in Cincinnati.Harrison, CarolineCaroline (1832-1892) and Benjamin (1831-1901) Harrison’s third child and second daughter dies at birth.Roosevelt, EdithEdith Kermit Carow (1861-1948), future wife of Theodore Roosevelt (1858–1919), is born in Norwich, Connecticut on August 6.Taft, HelenHelen Herron (1861-1943), future wife of President William Howard Taft [1909-1913] is born in Cincinnati, Ohio on June 2. | EconomicsAmerican Money: Gold payments are suspended; greenbacks become the national currency.EconomicsTransportation: Railroad History: Leland Stanford (1824-1893) hires Chinese laborers to help build the western part of the Central Pacific Railroad.EconomicsTransportation: Railroad History: There are 30,000 miles of railroad track in the U.S.EconomicsTelegraph wires are strung between San Francisco and New York.EconomicsPencils are mass-produced in New York by Eberhard Faber.EconomicsAmerican Money: Congress authorizes the United States Treasury to issue paper money for the first time in the form of non-interest bearing Treasury Notes called Demand Notes. Daily LifeDaily weather forecasts are begun in Britain. | Popular CultureHot Air Balloons: A record balloon trip is made between Cincinnati, Ohio and the South Carolina coast is made in 9 hours.Popular CultureWartime Music: “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” is written during the Civil War by Julia War Howe for the Union.Popular CultureWartime Music: “Battle Cry of Freedom” is written during the Civil War by George F. Root for the Union.Popular CultureWartime Music: “Dixie Land” is written during the Civil War by Daniel Emmett for the Confederate. | |
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1862 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
GovernmentThe Homestead Act is passed, decreeing that any American may have 160 acres of land in the west free, if he lives on it for five years.GovernmentPresident Lincoln (1809-1865) issues the Emancipation Proclamation, declaring all slaves "henceforth and forever free."GovernmentThe U.S. Department of Agriculture is created by Congress.GovernmentAmerican Money: The Secretary of the Treasury is empowered by Congress to have notes engraved and printed, which is done by private banknote companies. GovernmentRailroad History: President Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) signs the Pacific Railway Act, which authorizes the construction of the first transcontinental railroad. GovernmentThe Medal of Honor is authorized by Congress.WarCivil War: The Confederate Ironclad 'Merrimac' sinks two wooden Union ships then battles the Union Ironclad 'Monitor' to a draw. Naval warfare is thus changed forever, making wooden ships obsolete. WarCivil War: Confederate surprise attack on Gen. Ulysses S. Grant's (1822-1885) unprepared troops at Shiloh on the Tennessee River results in a bitter struggle with 13,000 Union killed and wounded and 10,000 Confederates.WarCivil War: 75,000 Federals under Gen. John Pope (1874-1937) are defeated by 55,000 Confederates under Gen. Stonewall Jackson (1824-1863) and Gen. James Longstreet (1821-1904) at the second battle of Bull Run in northern Virginia. WarCivil War: The bloodiest battle of the Civil War occurs at Antietam; over 23,000 are killed or wounded. | ScienceThe speed of light is successfully measured.MedicineThe first children’s clinic is opened in New York City.InventionsThe Gatling (a 10 barrel, automatic firing) gun is invented by R.J. Gatling (1818-1903).InventionsA timepiece for split-second timing—the chronograph—is invented.InventionsAlexander Parkes (1813-1890) invents the first man-made plastic. InventionsJean Lenoir (1822-1900) makes a gasoline engine automobile. | EducationChildren’s Books: Christina Rossetti''s (1830-1894) long fantasy, "Goblin Market," about two sisters'' struggle to resist the tempting fruits of the goblin men, was long categorized as a children''s fairy tale, but is increasingly reread as a major poem of its period.EducationWomen's Firsts: In Ohio, Mary Jane Patterson receives a degree from Oberlin, becoming the first black woman to graduate from an American college.EducationAfrican American Education: One of the earliest and longest-lived freedmen’s schools, the Penn School on St. Helena Island, NC, is founded by Laura Matilda Towne (1825-1901).EducationWomen's Firsts: Geologist Florence Bascom (1862-1945) becomes the first woman to receive a Ph.D. from Johns Hopkins University; she goes on to teach at Bryn Mawr.EducationThe Morrill Land-Grant Act endows colleges of agriculture and industry.Arts and LettersLiterature; Victor Hugo (1802-1885) writes "Les Misérables." | Lincoln, MaryThe Lincolns’ son William Wallace (1850-1862) dies of typhoid fever at age 11 on February 20.Harrison, CarolineBenjamin Harrison (1831-1901) raises a regiment for the Union in the Civil War (1,000 men from Indiana) known as the 70th Indiana Regiment.Van Buren, HannahMartin Van Buren (1782-1862), 8th President of the U.S., dies in Kinderhook, New York. Tyler, JuliaJohn Tyler (1790-1862), 10th President of the U.S., dies in Richmond, Virginia. | EconomicsAmerican Money: Demand Notes are replaced by United States Notes. Economics1,000 guns a day are being produced by the Colt factory.EconomicsThe first automobile with an internal combustion engine is constructed.EconomicsA process for concentrating fruit juice is patented. | Popular CultureJulia Ward Howe's (1819-1910) poem, "The Battle Hymn of the Republic" is published and later set to music. The music for "Taps" is also composed. | |
1863 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
GovernmentNational Capital: The "Statue of Freedom" is place on top of the Capitol building and becomes the crowning feature of the dome.GovernmentPresident Lincoln (1809-1865) issues the final Emancipation Proclamation freeing all slaves in territories held by Confederates and emphasizes the enlisting of black soldiers in the Union Army. GovernmentNew Mexico is divided in half, creating the Territory of Arizona. GovernmentCongress establishes free mail delivery in cities.GovernmentNew State: West Virginia becomes the 35th state in the United States.GovernmentPresident Lincoln (1809-1865) delivers the Gettysburg Address.WarCivil War: The tide of war turns against the South as the Confederates are defeated at the Battle of Gettysburg in Pennsylvania. WarCivil War: The Battle of Gettysburg takes place.WarCivil War: The Union institutes a draft to recruit soldiers for the Civil War. | ScienceThe National Academy of Sciences is founded in Washington, DC. | EducationChildren’s Books: The Rev. Charles Kingsley’s (1819-1875) fairy tale "The Water-Babies" combines many of these enthusiasms in a tale of how a little chimney-sweep goes backward in evolution when he is wicked, and forwards when he does as he would be done by.Arts and LettersSamuel Langhorne Clemens (1835-1910) adopts the pen-name, Mark Twain.Arts and LettersPoetry: Henry Wordsworth Longfellow (1807-1882) publishes the poem, “Paul Revere’s Ride.” | Pierce, JaneJane Means Appleton Pierce (1806-1863), wife of Franklin Pierce (1804-1869), dies of tuberculosis in Andover, Massachusetts on December 2 at the age of 57.Arthur, EllenWilliam Lewis Arthur (1860-1863), son of Chester Alan and Ellen Arthur, dies July 7. Hayes, LucyLucy and Rutherford Hayes’s fourth son, Joseph (1861-1863), dies of dysentery at the age of two on June 24.Johnson, ElizaCharles Johnson (1830-1863), son of Andrew and Eliza Johnson, dies April 4 in a horse accident. Hayes, LucyLucy Hayes (1831-1889), her four sons, and her mother go to West Virginia to be with Rutherford (1822-1893) and his regiment. | EconomicsAmerican Money: The design of U.S. currency incorporates a Treasury seal, the fine line engraving necessary for the difficult-to-counterfeit itaglio printing, intricate geometric lathe work patterns, and distinctive linen paper with embedded red and blue fibers. EconomicsTransportation: The world''''s first underground railway service, London''''s Metropolitan line between Paddington and Farringdon, is opened. EconomicsTraveler’s Insurance Company is founded in Hartford, CT.Daily LifeHolidays: The first national Thanksgiving Day is proclaimed by President Lincoln (1809-1865) to be the fourth Thursday of November.Daily LifeThe first paper dress patterns are developed by Ebenezer Butterick (1826-1903). | Sports The four-wheeled roller skate is patented by James Plimpton of New York. Sports Horse Racing: The Grand Prix horse race is first held in Paris.Popular CultureStephen Foster (1826-1864) composes “Beautiful Dreamer.” | ReligionOlympia Brown (1835-1926) is ordained a minister by the Northern Universalists in Weymouth, MA.ReligionThe Seventh Day Adventist church was officially founded by Ellen G White, James White and Joseph Bates.Social IssuesNative Americans: Kit Carson (1809-1868) begins resettling Navajo and Apache Indians on reservations by force.Social IssuesSlavery: The Emancipation Proclamation delivered by President Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) decrees that all slaves in Rebel territory are free on January 1, 1863. |
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1864 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
LawChief Justices: President Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) nominates Salmon Portland Chase (1808-1873) Chief Justice of the Supreme Court; he is confirmed by the Senate on the same day, and holds the position for eight years, until his death in 1873.PoliticsAbraham Lincoln (1809-1865) is reelected for a second term as President of the United States, and Andrew Johnson (1808-1875) is elected as the nation's 16th Vice President. GovernmentNew State: Nevada becomes the 36th state in the United States.GovernmentThe territory of Montana is organized.GovernmentTwenty-six nations sign the Geneva Conventions, an agreement to respect humanitarian rules of war with respect to prisoners, sick soldiers, Red Cross neutrality, and civilians in war zones.GovernmentAmerican Money: Congress authorizes the inscription, "In God We Trust" on U.S. coins.WarCivil War: General William Tecumseh Sherman (1820-1891) marches his Union army through Georgia, captures Atlanta and Savannah, and leaves a 300 mile path of destruction, 60 miles wide, all the way to the sea. | MedicineWomen's Firsts: Dr. Mary Edwards Walker (1832-1919) is appointed assistant surgeon in the Union
Army.InventionsAfrican American Inventors: Inventor Norbert Rillieux (1806-1894) patents a process for refining sugar that is used by sugar processing plants all over the world.TechnologyAirplanes: Count Ferdinand d’Esterno, France, publishes the first scientific observations of the effects of the wind on a wing in his pamphlet, "Du Vol des Oiseaux." | EducationPublic Education: Native Americans: Indian Education: Congress makes it illegal for Native Americans to be taught in their native languages. Native children as young as four years old are taken from their parents and sent to Bureau of Indian Affairs off-reservation boarding schools, whose goal, as one BIA official put it, is to "kill the Indian to save the man."EducationWomen’s Firsts: Rebecca Lee Crumpler (1846-1922) becomes the first black woman to receive an M.D. degree. She graduated from the New England Female Medical College. Arts and LettersLiterature: Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910) begins writing his epic, "War and Peace."Arts and LettersLiterature: Jules Verne (1828-1905) publishes "A Journey to the Center of the Earth." | Harrison, AnnaAnna Tuthill Symmes (1775-1864) Harrison dies on February 25 in North Bend, Ohio, at the age of eighty-eight.Hayes, LucyRutherford B. Hayes (1822-1893) runs for Congress from Ohio and wins without ever leaving his troops.Hayes, LucyLucy and Rutherford Hayes’s fifth son, George Crook (1864-1866) is born on September 29 in Chillicothe, Ohio.Cleveland, FrancesFrances Folsom (1864-1947), future wife of President Grover Cleveland (1837–1908), is born in Buffalo, New York, on July 21. She is the sixth of ten First Ladies born in New York, the "mother state" of presidential wives. (Rose Elizabeth Cleveland, sister of Grover Cleveland, served as his First Lady during the first two years of his presidency, and is the fifth First Lady born in New York State). | EconomicsTransportation: Railroad History: The Pennsylvania Railroad begins using steel for its rails.Daily LifeTaking pictures that will be become famous as a record of the Civil War, New York photographer Matthew Brady (1822-1896) travels through the nation's battlefields.Daily LifeNewspapers: In Louisiana, the New Orleans Tribune begins publication. It is one of the first African-American-run daily newspapers. | | Social IssuesImmigration: European immigration to the U.S. increases, due in large part to the Homestead Act and also because immigrants are excluded from the draft.Social IssuesNative Americans: Many Navahos die as they make the "Long March" through New Mexico to their grim reservation at Bosque Redondo.Social IssuesNative Americans: The massacre of Cheyenne and Arapahoe Indians at Sand Creek, CO occurs.ReformLabor Movement: The first International Workingmen's Association is founded by Karl Marx (1818-1883) in London and New York. |
1865 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
LawCivil Rights Movement: The Thirteenth Amendment, forbidding slavery, is passed by the Congress, ratified by two-thirds of the states and added to the Constitution.GovernmentWarren G. Harding (1865-1923), 29th President of the United States, is born near Marion, Ohio.GovernmentFollowing the assassination of President Lincoln, his Vice-President, Andrew Johnson (1808-1875), becomes the 17th President of the United States. No new Vice President is selected. GovernmentAmerican Money: Gold Certificates are issued by the Department of the Treasury against gold coin and buillion deposits and are circulated until 1933. GovernmentAmerican Money: The Department of the Treasury establishes the United States Secret Service to control counterfeit money. WarCivil War: Gen. Robert E. Lee (1807-1870) surrenders his Confederate Army to Gen. Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885) at the village of Appomattox Court House in Virginia; the Civil War ends. WarIndian Wars: Escalation of the Plains War between the U.S. military and the Sioux and Cheyenne. | ScienceGregor Mendel (1822-1884) proposes the laws of heredity.MedicineAntiseptic surgery is initiated by Joseph Lister (1827-1912) using carbolic acid.MedicineThe Chicago Hospital for Women and Children is established, in part, by Dr. Mary Harris Thompson, one of the best-known surgeons of her era.MedicineWomen's Firsts: Dr. Mary Walker (1832-1919) becomes the first woman to receive the Medal of Honor, for her service during the Civil War.InventionsThe coffee percolator is invented. | EducationHigher Education: The Universities of Maine and Kentucky, Purdue University and Cornell University are all founded.EducationHigher Education: Yale University opens the first Department of Fine Arts in the U.S.EducationHigher Education: The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is founded.EducationWomen's Colleges: Maria Mitchell (1818-1889) is the first woman appointed as a professor of astronomy, at Vassar College.EducationChildren''s Books: Lewis Carroll''s (1832-1898) "Alice in Wonderland" is published.EducationChildren''s Books: "Hans Brinker," or "The Silver Skates" is written by Mary Mapes Dodge (1831-1905).EducationPublic Education (1865-1877): African Americans mobilize to bring public education to the South for the first time. After the Civil War, and with the legal end of slavery, African Americans in the South make alliances with white Republicans to push for many political changes, including for the first time rewriting state constitutions to guarantee free public education. In practice, white children benefit more than Black children.Arts and LettersOpera: Wagner’s (1813-1883) opera "Tristan and Isolde," premiers in Munich. Arts and LettersLiterature: Jules Verne (1828-1905) writes "From the Earth to the Moon." | Jackson, RachelAndrew Jackson Jr. (1808-1865), Andrew and Rachel Jackson's adopted son (he was one of the pair of twins born to a sibling of Rachel Jackson), dies. Lincoln, MaryAssassination: President Abraham Lincoln (1809-1865) is assassinated at Ford's Theatre in Washington, DC. Johnson, ElizaEliza McCardle Johnson (1810-1876) is the first First Lady to teach her husband, Andrew Johnson, to read and write. Lincoln, MaryMary Todd Lincoln (1818-1882) and her family move to Chicago.Hayes, LucyRutherford (1822-1893) and Lucy (1831-1889) Hayes go to Washington for his first term in Congress. The children stay in Chillicothe with their grandmother.Harrison, CarolineGeneral Benjamin Harrison (1831-1901) and the 70th Indiana are mustered out of Federal service on June 8, 1865. | EconomicsThe Atlantic cable is completed.EconomicsThe first oil pipeline is laid in Pennsylvania (6 miles).EconomicsThe Union Stockyards open in Chicago.Daily LifeThe first carpet sweeper comes into popular use.Daily LifeTransportation: George Pullman''s (1831-1897) railroad sleeping cars appear in the U.S.Daily LifeThe first fire department with paid firefighters is founded in New York City. | Sports Billiard balls made out of a composition material replace balls made of ivory.Sports Boxing: Boxing's Queensbury Rules are laid out.Sports Women in Sports: Matthew Vassar opens Vassar College with a special School of Physical Training with classes in riding, gardening, swimming, boating, skating and "other physical accomplishments suitable for ladies to acquire ... bodily strength and grace." Popular CultureAnother popular favorite published this year is Mark Twain's (1835-1910) short story, "The Celebrated Jumping Frog of Calaveras County." | Social IssuesHate Groups: The Ku Klux Kan is founded in Tennessee.Social IssuesPoverty: The Salvation Army is founded in England by William Booth (1829-1912). |
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1866 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
LawCivil Rights Movement: The Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution, prohibiting voter discrimination, is passed by the Congress. GovernmentCivil Rights Movement: The Freedman’s Bureau Bill is established to provide assistance to freed slaves.GovernmentAmerican Money: Congress authorizes the issuance of the 5-cent piece, the “nickel.”GovernmentTennessee becomes the first state readmitted to the Union. GovernmentCivil Rights Movement: Despite the veto of President Andrew Johnson (1808-1875), the U.S. passes a Civil Rights Law, protecting the rights of citizenship for former slaves freed by the Thirteenth Amendment. | InventionsDynamite is developed by Swedish engineer Alfred Nobel (1801-1872).InventionsEnglishmen Robert Whitehead (1861-1947) invents a torpedo. InventionsA 12-horsepower steam automobile is developed in Connecticut.TechnologyBattery Technology: Georges Leclanche (1839-1882), a French engineer, patents a new system, which is immediately successful. In the space of two years, twenty thousand of his cells are being used in the telegraph system.TechnologyAirplanes: The Aeronautical Society is founded in England. | EducationWomen’s Firsts: Lucy Hobbs (1833-1910) becomes the first woman to graduate from dental school, the Ohio College of Dental Surgery. Arts and LettersLiterature: Leo Tolstoy (1828-1910) writes "War and Peace."Arts and LettersLiterature: Feodor Dostoevsky (1821-1881) writes "Crime and Punishment." | Van Buren, HannahJohn Van Buren (1810-1866), son of Martin and Hannah Van Buren dies October 13 of kidney failure while at sea. Hayes, LucyLucy Hayes (1831-1889) returns to Chillicothe in March; the older boys study German.Hayes, LucyLucy and Rutherford Hayes’s fifth son, George Crook (1864-1866), dies of scarlet fever on May 24 at the age of 20 months. | EconomicsAmerican Money: National Bank Notes, backed by U.S. government securities, becomes predominant. EconomicsThe first refrigerated railroad car is built in Detroit.EconomicsLaying of the second Atlantic cable is completed.Daily LifeThe first Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) opens in Boston. | Sports Women in Sports: Baseball: Vassar College fields the first two women''s amateur baseball teams. | ReligionAn early congregation of Reform Jews builds the Plum Street Temple in Cincinnati, Ohio.Social IssuesJim Crow Laws: The former Confederate States enact "Black code" (later known as Jim Crow) laws to counteract the thirteenth amendment.ReformLabor Movement: The National Labor Union is founded in Baltimore, the first such industrial trade-union confederation and a landmark in the U.S. labor movement.ReformAnimal Rights Movement: The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is founded in New York City.ReformWomen's Rights Movement: Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Susan B. Anthony, Martha Coffin Pelham Wright, Lucretia Mott, and Ernestine Rose found the American Equal Rights Association, seeking both black and women’s suffrage. |
1867 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
GovernmentThe Dominion of Canada is established by The British North America Act.GovernmentEducation: The federal Office of Education is established to provide information on the condition of education in the United States.GovernmentNew State: Nebraska becomes the 37th state of the Union. GovernmentAlaska is purchased from Russia for the sum of $7.2 million, approximately two cents an acre. | MedicineLister (1827-1912) publishes "Antiseptic Principle of the Practice of Surgery," based partly on Pasteur's work.InventionsThe first motorcycle is invented.InventionsChristopher Sholes (1819-1890) invents the first practical and modern typewriter. InventionsBarbed wire is first patented by Lucien B. Smith of Ohio. InventionsJoseph Monier (1823-1906) of Paris first patents reinforced concrete.InventionsElizabeth Hawks receives a patent for a stove with a separate “air chamber” for baking. | EducationHigher Education: The first U.S. dental school is established at Harvard. EducationHigher Education: Howard University, the first predominantly Negro college to offer comprehensive university facilities, is chartered.EducationSpecial Education: The Clark Institute for Deaf Mutes is chartered; it is the first U.S. school to teach the deaf using German principles of articulation and lip-reading.Arts and LettersDrama: Henrik Ibsen (1828-1906) writes "Peer Gynt."Arts and LettersOpera: Charles Gounod’s (1818-1893) opera, "Romeo et Juliette," is performed in Paris.Arts and LettersWalt Whitman (1819-1992) circulates this fourth edition as four separately paginated books stitched together between two covers: a vastly re-edited version of the 1860 "Leaves of Grass," a reissue of "Drum-Taps," a reissue of the "Sequel to Drum-Taps," and a striking coda called "Songs Before Parting."Ideas"Das Kapital" is published by Karl Marx (1818-1883). | Hayes, LucyLucy and Rutherford Hayes’s first and only daughter, Fannie (1867-1950), is born in Cincinnati on September 2.Hayes, LucyRutherford B. Hayes (1822-1893) resigns his seat in Congress, runs for Governor of Ohio, and wins by less than 3,000 votes.Harrison, CarolineBenjamin Harrison (1831-1901) runs for Governor of Indiana; is defeated by the Democrats. | EconomicsTransportation: Railroad History: The first elevated railroad is built in New York City.EconomicsThe first paperback books are published in Leipzig, Germany.DiscoveryDiamond fields are discovered in South Africa.DiscoveryGold is discovered in Wyoming.Daily LifeMagazines: Mary Louise Booth (1831-1889) becomes editor of the new "Harper’s Bazaar" magazine. | Sports Horse Racing: The Belmont Stakes horserace is run for the first time in New York. Sports Women in Sports: Golf: St. Andrew''s in Scotland is the first ladies golf club. Popular Culture“The Blue Danube Waltz” is written by Johann Strauss II (1825-1899).Popular CultureThe first of the popular “rags to riches” stories, "Ragged Dick," or "Street Life in New York" is published by Horatio Alger. | ReligionChildren’s Books: Religious books for children are often more attractively produced, and also much gentler, even sentimental, in religious messages like "The Pretty Village." Social IssuesNative Americans: The Treaty of Medicine Lodge between the U.S. and the Cheyenne and Arapaho forces the two tribes to move to a reservation in Indian Territory, on land that was ceded by Indian tribes to the U.S. after the end of the Civil War.Social IssuesNative Americans: Reservations in Indian Territory (now Oklahoma) are set up by Congress for the Five Civilized Tribes (Cherokees, Chickasaws, Choctaws, Creeks, and Seminoles).ReformCivil Rights Movement: Congress gives blacks the right to vote in Washington, D.C. |
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1868 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
LawNative Americans: A clause in the 14th Amendment “excluding Indians not taxed” prevents Native-American men from receiving the right to vote. LawCivil Rights Movement: The Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution, prohibiting states from infringing on the rights of American citizens is ratified by two-thirds of the states and added to the Constitution.PoliticsUlysses S. Grant (1822-1885) is elected as the 18th President of the United States, and the first from Ohio; Schuyler Colfax (1823-1885) is elected as the nation's 17th Vice President.PoliticsImpeachment: Current President Andrew Johnson (1808-1875) is impeached by the House of Representatives, but escapes conviction by one vote.GovernmentCivil Rights Movement: Congress makes black suffrage mandatory for a Confederate state to be readmitted to the Union. | ScienceA Cro-Magnon skeleton (the first homo sapiens) is found in France.InventionsThe air brake is invented by George Westinghouse (1846-1914).InventionsAn electric voting machine is patented by Thomas Edison (1847-1931).InventionsGeorge Westinghouse (1846-1914) invents the compressed air locomotive brake, which enables trains to be stopped with fail-safe accuracy.InventionsRailroad History: Major Eli Janney (1831 – 1912), a confederate veteran of the civil war, invents the knuckle coupler. This semi-automatic device locks upon the cars closing together without the rail worker getting between the cars. TechnologyAirplanes: Jean-Marie Le Bris (1817-1872) tests an improved version of his glider, making several unmanned glides before it crashes.TechnologyAirplanes: John Stringfellow, England, proposes a man-carrying triplane, similar to Henson’s aerial steam carriage. It captures the public’s imagination, although the model does not perform well when tested. | Arts and LettersLiterature: Louisa May Alcott (1832-1888) writes "Little Women."Arts and LettersBrahams’ (1833-1897) “Lullaby” is published. | Lane, HarrietJames Buchanan (1791-1868), 15th President of the U.S. and the only bachelor to be elected President, dies June 1 at Wheatland (near Lancaster, Pennsylvania).Lincoln, MaryMary Todd Lincoln (1818-1882) travels to Europe with her son, Tad.Hayes, LucyRutherford B. Hayes (1822-1893) is inaugurated as Governor of Ohio in January. His salary is $4,000. | EconomicsThe Armour meat-packing factory is opened in Chicago.Daily LifeThe world's first traffic lights, built near London's Parliament Square, begin operation. | Sports The first recorded bicycle race is held in Paris.Sports Golf: Golf''s first recorded hole-in-one is scored in Scotland.Sports The game of badminton is invented in England.Sports The sport of skating is regulated at a meeting of an American skating congress in Pittsburgh.Sports The first indoor track and field meet is held in New York City. | ReligionBrigham Young (1801-1877) marries his 27th and final wife. Religion “O Little Town of Bethlehem” is written by Episcopal clergyman Phillips Brooks (1835-1893).Social IssuesImmigration: Japanese laborers arrive in Hawaii to work in sugar cane fields. ReformLabor Movement: The first 8-hour day begins for government workers. Others continue to work long hours. |
1869 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
LawWomen’s Firsts: Arabella Mansfield (1846-1911) is granted admission to practice law in Iowa, making her the first woman lawyer.LawIn "Texas v. White," the U.S. Supreme Court rules that secession is illegal. Following this decision, Congress restores a republican government in Texas.LawThe Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution, affirming the right to vote and forbidding states to deny that right based on race, color, or "previous condition of servitude," is passed by Congress.PoliticsThird Parties: The National Prohibition Party is formed in Chicago.GovernmentThe first Black U.S. diplomat, Ebenezer D. Bassett (1833-1908), becomes minister-resident to Haiti. GovernmentUlysses S. Grant (1822-1885) is inaugurated as the 18th President of the United States, and Schuyler Colfax (1823-1885) is inaugurated as the nation's 17th Vice President.GovernmentStamps: First U.S. pictorial stamps appear; this is the first time that U.S. stamps show something other than a dead person. | InventionsRailroad History: George Westinghouse (1846-1914), an inventive Civil War veteran, develops the straight air brake. InventionsChewing gum is patented by William F. Semple.InventionsMargarine is patented in France.InventionsIves W. McGaffey of Chicago patents an early suction type vacuum cleaner. InventionsCelluloid is invented by J.W. Hyatt. | EducationEducation of Women: Three women are admitted to the Chicago Medical College.EducationChildren’s Books: A beautiful Victorian illustrated "Cinderella" is published, along with a new versification of the story by Robert Willis, as "The Children''s Christmas Annual for 1869."Arts and LettersAmerican Theatre: There are 21 theatres in New York and 6 in Boston.IdeasJohn Stuart Mill (1806-1873) writes "On the Subjugation of Women." | Johnson, ElizaRobert Johnson (1834-1869), son of Andrew and Eliza Johnson, dies April 22 by taking his own life. Grant, JuliaJulia Dent Grant (1826-1902) is the first President's wife to have the Inaugural Ball in the Treasury. She also had the first closets built in the White House, and was the first First Lady to close the White House grounds to the public. Pierce, JaneFranklin Pierce (1804-1869), the 14th president of the United States, dies October 8 in Concord, New Hampshire. Hayes, LucyRutherford B. Hayes (1822-1893) runs for a second term as Governor of Ohio and is once again elected. Lucy Hayes (1831-1889) continues her role as First Lady of Ohio. | EconomicsTransportation: Railroad History: The first trans-continental railroad is finished when the Central Pacific and Union Pacific railroads are joined on May 10.EconomicsThe Suez Canal is opened, after more than 10 years of construction. EconomicsGypsy moths are brought to Massachusetts to start a silk industry. They escape, however, and cause all kinds of problems around the country.EconomicsTransportation: The clipper ship, "Cutty Sark," is launched. | Sports Soccer: Intercollegiate football (soccer) is begun by Rutgers and Princeton.Sports The first professional baseball team, the Cincinnati Red Stockings, is founded.Sports Women in Sports: Frenchwomen enter cycling races at Bordeaux, France. Popular CultureMark Twain (1835-1910) publishes his book "Innocents Abroad." | ReligionThe first Vatican Council meets in Rome.Social IssuesNative Americans: The Transcontinental Railroad cuts across Native American lands.ReformWomen’s Firsts: Arabella Mansfield (1846-1911) is granted admission to practice law in Iowa, making her the first woman lawyer. ReformWomen's Suffrage Movement: Susan B. Anthony founds the American Women’s Suffrage Association. The newspaper she founds has the slogan “Men, their rights and nothing more; women, their rights and nothing less.”ReformWomen's Suffrage Movement: The Wyoming Territory becomes the first state to grant women suffrage.ReformTemperance Movement: The National Temperance Convention meets in Chicago to form the Prohibition Party. |
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1870 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
LawCivil Rights Movement: The Fifteenth Amendment to the Constitution affirming the right to vote and forbidding states to deny that right based on race, color, or "previous condition of servitude," is ratifiedby two-thirds of the states and added to the Constitution.Politics Hiram Revels (1827-1901) (Mississippi) becomes the first Black elected to U.S. Senate. PoliticsJefferson Long (1836-1901) (Georgia) becomes the first Black elected to U.S. House of Representatives.GovernmentThe U.S. Congress readmits Texas to the Union.GovernmentThe U.S. Justice Department is created.GovernmentCongress authorizes the registration of trademarks. | MedicineLouis Pasteur (1822- 1895) and Robert Koch (1843-1910) establish the germ theory of disease.InventionsThomas Edison (1847-1931) invents the stock ticker.InventionsMary Carpenter patents a sewing machine with a self-threading, self-setting needle. TechnologyConstruction of the Brooklyn Bridge begins.TechnologyAirplanes: Alphonse Penaud (1850-1880), France, uses twisted rubber bands to power a miniature helicopter. It’s copied by dozens of toymakers in Europe in America. | EducationEducation of Women: The first sorority: Kappa Alpha Theta, is established at De Pauw University.EducationEducation of Women: Ada H. Kepley (1847-1925) becomes the first woman to graduate from law school (at Union College of Law, Chicago).Arts and LettersMuseums: The Metropolitan Museum of Art is founded in New York City. | Lincoln, MaryCongress appropriates a pension for Mary Todd (1818-1882) Lincoln of $3,000, later raised to $5,000.Hayes, LucyLucy Hayes (1831-1889) and Rutherford (1822-1893) successfully campaign for official Ohio state support for the establishment of a home for children orphaned by the Civil War. | EconomicsStandard Oil Co. of Ohio is incorporated, with John D. Rockefeller (1839-1937) as president and majority stockholder.EconomicsCensus: The U.S. population is 39.8 million, including, for the first time, African Americans listed by name.EconomicsThe Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Co. (the A&P) is founded.DiscoveryHeinrich Schliemann (1822-1890) begins excavations on the site of Homer's Troy.Daily LifeA donkey first appears in a cartoon to symbolize the U.S. Democratic Party.Daily LifeThe Marcel wave becomes a popular women’s hairstyle. | Popular CultureJules Verne (1828-1905) writes "Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea." | ReligionThe first Vatican Council declares the dogma of papal infallibility.ReformAbolition Movement: The American Anti-Slavery Society is dissolved. ReformBlack Suffrage Movement: The 15th Amendment of the Constitution provides African-American males with the right to vote. |
1871 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
GovernmentThe first Civil Service Commission is appointed by President Grant. | ScienceCharles Darwin (1809-1882) writes
"The Descent of Man," in which he asserts that all mammals descend from a single ancestor.MedicineThe bacillus that causes leprosy is discovered.InventionsThe first cable car is invented. TechnologyAirplanes: Alphonse Penaud (1850-1880) builds a planophore, a 20-inch long monoplane with a pusher propeller powered by a rubber band. It flies 131 feet in 11 seconds — the first flight of an inherently stable aircraft.TechnologyAirplanes: Francis Herbert Wenham and John Browning, England, invent the wind tunnel. They use it to prove that cambered wings produce more lift than other shapes. | EducationChildren’s Books: Mother Goose is reprinted, with verses set to music.EducationParochial Education: The Archdiocese of New York receives $700,000 in public funds for schooling.EducationPublic Education: Michigan, New Hampshire, and Washington enact compulsory school attendance laws.Arts and LettersOpera: "Aida," by Giuseppe Verdi (1813-1901), is performed in Cairo, where the opera is set; it is written in honor of the opening of the Suez Canal.Arts and LettersLiterature: George Eliot (1819-1880) writes "Middlemarch." Arts and LettersLiterature: Henry James’ (1843-1916) first novel, "Watch And Ward", is written as he travela through Venice and Paris.IdeasMarx’s (1818-1883) "Communist Manifesto" appears for the first time in English. | Lincoln, MaryMary Todd Lincoln (1818-1882) returns to the United States. Her son Thomas (1853-1871) dies of tuberculosis at age 18.Hayes, LucyLucy Hayes’s sixth son, Scott Russell (1871-1923), is born in Columbus, Ohio on February 8. His sister Fanny calls him “little boy sister.”Arthur, EllenEllen Herndon "Nell" Arthur (Pinkerton) (1871-1915), daughter of Chester Alan and Ellen Arthur, is born November 21. Mckinley, IdaKatherine "Katie" McKinley (1871-1875), the first child of William and Ida McKinley, is born December 25. Tyler, JuliaJulia Tyler Spencer (1849-1871), daughter of John Tyler and his second wife Julia, dies May 8 from childbirth complications. | Economics The S.S. Oceanic, the first of the White Star Line luxury liners, is launched.Daily LifeDisasters: The Chicago Fire burns down about three and one half miles of the city. | Sports The National Rifle Association is founded by Union Army officersSports Women in Sports: Miss Carrie A. Moore demonstrates a variety of roller skating movements at the Occidental Rink in San Francisco. Later in the same day, she exhibits her skill on a velocipede. Popular Culture“The Greatest Show on Earth”—P.T. Barnum’s (1810-1891) circus—opens in Brooklyn, NY.Popular CultureLewis Carroll (1832-1898) writes "Through the Looking Glass."Popular CultureThe poem, “The Owl and the Pussycat” is written by Edward Lear (1812-1888). | ReligionThe hymn “Onward Christian Soldiers” is composed.Social IssuesNative Americans: The Indian Appropriation Act is passed by Congress, making Native Americans wards of the federal government.ReformLabor Movement: Labor unions are legalized in Britain. |
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1872 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
PoliticsPresident Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885) is elected for a second term, and Henry Wilson (1812-1875) is elected as the nation's 18th Vice President. PoliticsThird Parties; Women's Firsts: The Equal Rights Party nominates Victoria Woodhull (1838-1927) as the first woman candidate for President and African American leader Frederick Douglass (1817-1895) as her running mate. GovernmentPresidents: Calvin Coolidge (1872-1933), 30th President of the United States, is born in Plymouth, Vermont.GovernmentCongress abolishes the income tax it had imposed during the Civil War. | ScienceLouis Pasteur (1822-1895) shows that fermentation is caused by microorganisms. ScienceBacteriology is established as a science.Science"Popular Science Monthly" begins to be published.InventionsThe doughnut cutter is patented by John F. Blondel of Maine.InventionsA crude forerunner of the movie projector—the “zoopraxiscope”—is invented.InventionsAfrican American Inventors: Elijah McCoy (1843-1929) invents an oiling devise that allows machines to be oiled while in motion. | EducationChildren’s Books: Christina Rossetti (1830-1894) writes a books of shorter verses for young children entitled "Sing-Song."EducationPublic Education: Connecticut enacts compulsory school attendance laws.EducationParochial Education: About 30,000 children attend Lutheran parochial schools. EducationPublic Education: The Tileston Normal School is opened in Wilmington, NC as one of the first free schools in the area open to poor students.Arts and LettersPainting: James Whistler (1834-1903) paints a portrait of his mother.IdeasThe Granger Movement is formed, a forerunner of the populist movement of the 1890s. | Wilson, EdithEdith Bolling Galt (1872-1961), future second wife of President Woodrow Wilson (1856–1924), is born in Wytheville, Virginia on October 15. | EconomicsMontgomery Ward opens in Chicago.EconomicsRailroad History: George Westinghouse (1846-1914) patents the first automatic air brake. This is basically the same system as is used by today's railroads.Daily LifeYellowstone, the world's first National Park, is opened.Daily LifeDisasters: The American ship "Mary Celeste" is found abandoned in the Atlantic en route to Genoa. Daily LifeThe Brooklyn Bridge is opened. | Sports Soccer: The first English Football Association (F.A.) Cup final is played at the Kennington Oval in London.Sports Soccer: The first international soccer game is held when England plays Scotland.Sports The first U.S. ski club is founded in New Hampshire. | ReligionThe International Bible Students Association, which evolved into the Jehovah’s Witness religious sect, is founded.Social IssuesBirth Control: The “Comstock Law” forbids the transport of contraceptives in the United States.ReformWomen's Suffrage Movement: Susan B. Anthony (1820-1906) and other feminists are arrested for trying to vote in the presidential election. ReformWomen's Rights Movement: Congress guarantees equal pay for equal work in federal jobs. |
1873 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
PoliticsThe American Granger movement, which organizes U.S. farmers in the midwest to counter monopolistic transportation practices by the railroads,
reaches its peak membership.
GovernmentThe North West Mounted Police are formed in Canada, later to become the Royal Canadian Mounted Police.GovernmentPresident Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885) is inaugurated for a second term, and Henry Wilson (1812-1875) is inaugurated as the nation's 18th Vice President. | ScienceThe American Metrological Society, the first organization to improve the system of weights and measures, is formed. ScienceAstronomer Maria Mitchell (1818-1889) founds the Association for the Advancement of Women.MedicineDr. Mary Jane Safford (1834-1891) joins the faculty of the newly opened Boston University School of Medicine as a professor of women’s diseases.InventionsAfrican American Inventors: Lewis Latimer (1848-1928) invents a water closet (toilet system) for railroad cars.TechnologyThe first color photographs are developed. | EducationAuthor Sarah Chauncey Woolsey, a.k.a. Susan Coolidge (1835-1905), revolutionizes school story books by blending imaginary and real-life episodes.EducationPublic Education: William T. Harris (1835-1909), Superintendent of the St. Louis school system, incorporates kindergarten into the schoolsEducationThe discipline of sociology is established with Herbert Spencer’s (1820-1903) "The Study of Sociology."EducationWomen’s Colleges: The College of Notre Dame of Maryland is founded.EducationWomen’s Firsts: Ellen Swallow Richards (1842–1911), the first woman to be admitted to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, earns her B.S. degree. She becomes the first female professional chemist in the U.S. EducationLibraries: Chicago Public Library opens.Arts and LettersLiterature: Mark Twain (1835-1910) and Charles Dudley Warner (1829-1900) write "The Gilded Age;" the phrase becomes a descriptor for the era.Ideas“Set theory” in mathematics is established. | Hayes, LucyHis second term as Governor over, Lucy (1831-1889) and Rutherford B. Hayes (1822-1881) move to Spiegel Grove, an estate in N.W. Ohio.Hayes, LucyManning Force Hayes (1873-1874), seventh son of Lucy and Rutherford B. Hayes, is born on August 1.Mckinley, IdaIda McKinley (1873), daughter of William and Ida McKinley, is born April 1 and dies 4 months later in August. After the birth of her namesake, First Lady Ida McKinley is stricken with a litany of lifelong illnesses that included epileptic seizures and phlebitis. | EconomicsJay Cooke & Co.'s Wall Street banking house fails, and the American economy collapses into a sharp depression.EconomicsAmerican Money: The U.S. goes on the gold standard, eliminating all silver currency.EconomicsE. Remington & Sons, gunmakers, begin to manufacture typewriters.Daily LifeNewspapers: The New York "Daily Graphic" becomes the first illustrated daily newspaper.Daily LifeSan Francisco’s first cable streetcar goes into operation. Daily LifeCrime and Punishment: Jesse James and his gang rob their first passenger train. | Sports Football: The first American Football rules are formulated at a meeting in New York attended by delegates from Columbia, Princeton, Rutgers and Yale.Sports The modern game of lawn tennis is invented in England.Sports Women in Sports: 10 young women compete in a mile-long swimming contest in the Harlem River. Miss Deliliah Goboess wins the prize, a silk dress worth $175. Popular CultureJules Verne publishes "Around the World in Eighty Days." | ReligionThe Reform Union of Hebrew Congregations is organized in Cincinnati. |
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1874 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
LawChief Justices: President U.S. Grant (1822-1885) nominates Morrison R. Waite (1816-1888) as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. He is confirmed two days later and serves for fourteen years. GovernmentPresidents: Herbert Hoover (1875-1964), 31st President of the United States, is born in West Branch, Iowa.WarFederal troops stationed in New Orleans during Reconstruction quell a revolt led by the White League against Louisiana's black state government. | MedicineThe streptococci and staphylococci bacilli are discovered.MedicineThe field of osteopathy is founded in Kansas; Dr. Andrew Still becomes its first practitioner.InventionsAfrican American Inventors: Lewis H. Latimer (1848-1928) co-invents an improved water closet, or bathroom, for trains.TechnologyThe process of pressure cooking is introduced as a method of canning foods.TechnologyAirplanes: Felix Du Temple builds a man-carrying steam-powered monoplane. With a young French sailor at the controls, it makes a ski-jump take-off and a brief hop but cannot sustain flight. | EducationThe Chautauqua movement begins in an effort to bring greater educational opportunity to America's isolated farmers and small towns through traveling lectures and correspondence-school courses. Arts and LettersPainting: A group of French Impressionists, including Claude Monet, Paul Cezanne, Edgar Degas, Edouard Manet, Camille Pissaro, and August Renoir, hold their first show. Rejected by a formal gallery, the exhibit was held by the artists themselves. | Fillmore, AbigailMillard Fillmore (1800-1874), 13th president of the United States, dies on March 8 in Buffalo, NY. He is only the second vice president to succeed on the death of the incumbent president. Hayes, LucyManning Force Hayes, seventh son of Lucy and Rutherford B. Hayes, dies at the age of 13 months, probably of dysentery, in Fremont, Ohio on August 28.Cleveland, FrancesOscar Folsom Cleveland (1874-?), son of Grover Cleveland and a widow, Maria Croftis Halpin, is born. Unsubstantiated reports suggest that Oscar died in his late 20's of alcoholism.Tyler, LetitiaTazewell Tyler (1830-1874), the youngest of John and Letitia Tyler's children, dies January 8 as a result of alcoholism. Hoover, LouLou Henry (1874-1944), wife of Herbert Hoover, is born in Waterloo, Iowa, on March 29.Grant, JuliaWhite House Weddings: Nellie Grant (1856-1922), daughter of Julia (1826-1902) and Ulysses S. Grant (1822-1885) marries Algernon Sartoris, a British diplomat, in the White House. | EconomicsThe first electric streetcar begins operation in New York City.EconomicsStockholders of the Union Pacific railroad form a phony development bank, the Credit Mobilier. Several members of President Ulysses S. Grant’s (1822-1885) administration, including his vice president, are implicated in the scandal, though no one is ultimately indicted. Daily LifeThe first American zoo is established in Philadelphia.Daily LifeRepublican Party is first symbolized by an elephant. – drawn by Thomas Nast (1840-1902), in "Harper’s Weekly." | Sports Women in Sports: Tennis is introduced to the U.S. by Mary Outerbridge, who saw it played in Bermuda.Popular CultureThe original Siamese Twins, Chang and Eng (1811-1874), die. Born in Thailand of Chinese parents and joined at the chest, they were sold and exhibited in Europe and America.Popular CultureNew York's Madison Square Garden opens under the name Barnum’s Hippodrome. | ReformWomen's Suffrage Movement: The Rhode Island legislature passes a women’s suffrage amendment to its constitution.ReformTemperance Movement: The Women’s Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) is founded in Cleveland, Ohio.ReformLabor Movement: Police on horses break up a demonstration of the unemployed in New York's Tompkins Square Park, injuring hundreds who came to protest the intense poverty resulting from the depression of the 1870s. |
1875 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
LawWomen's Suffrage Movement: In "Miner v. Hoppersatt," the Supreme Court rules that women are “persons” under the 14th Amendment, but are not entitled to vote.PoliticsEx-political boss and New York politician William Marcy “Boss” Tweed (1823-1878) escapes from jail, flees to Cuba. He is apprehended, returned to New York, and dies in prison three years later. GovernmentRebellion in Cuba leads to deterioration of U.S.-Spanish relations.GovernmentBritish prime minister Disraeli (1804-1881) maneuvers to bring the Suez Canal, which was completed in 1869, under British control.GovernmentCivil Rights Movement: Congress passes the Civil Rights Act, guaranteeing blacks equal rights in public places and banning their exclusion from jury duty. | MedicineThe London Medical School for Women is founded.MedicineThe bacillus that causes lumbar pneumonia—pneumococcus— is discovered.InventionsThomas Edison (1847-1931) invents a duplicating process that uses a wax stencil, an early version of the mimeograph machine. InventionsAn electric dental drill is patented.TechnologyThe world’s first radio is operated by American Elihu Thomson (1853-1937). | EducationWomen's Colleges: Wellesley College for women, founded by Henry and Pauline Durant, opens in Wellesley, Massachusetts, outside of Boston.Arts and LettersOpera: The first performance of French composer Georges Bizet's (1838-1875) opera "Carmen" takes place at the Opera Comique, Paris. Arts and LettersThe first Gilbert and Sullivan operetta, "Trial by Jury," is written. | Taylor, MargaretAnne Margaret Mackell Taylor Wood (1811-1875), daughter of Zachary and Margaret Taylor, dies December 2. Lincoln, MaryMary Todd Lincoln’s (1818-1882) son Robert (1843-1926) has her declared insane; she manages to get herself released from the mental hospital, and goes to live with her sister in Springfield, Illinois.Hayes, LucyRutherford B. Hayes (1822-1893) runs for his third term as Governor of Ohio, and wins.Johnson, ElizaAndrew Johnson (1808-1875), 17th President of the U.S., dies July 31 in Carter's Station, Tennessee. Mckinley, IdaKatherine "Katie" McKinley (1871-1875), the first child of William and Ida McKinley, dies June 25 from typhoid fever. | EconomicsLuxury hotels are opened in Saratoga Springs, New York, and San Francisco, marking the development of a luxury-seeking elite in the United States. EconomicsThe first factory using the Bessemer steel-making process is built by Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919).Daily LifeNewspapers: The "Times" of London becomes the first newspaper to print a daily weather chart. | Sports Horse Racing: The first Kentucky Derby is held at Churchill Downs, Kentucky, won by Aristides. Sports Capt. Matthew Webb (1848-1883) becomes the first person to swim across the English Channel.Sports The first roller skating rink is opened in London.Sports Women in Sports: Baseball: The "Blondes" and "Brunettes" play their first match In Springfield, IL on Sept. 11. Newspapers heralded the event as the "first game of baseball ever played in public for gate money between feminine ball-tossers." | ReligionMary Baker Eddy’s (1821-1910) "Science and Health" is first published.Social IssuesNative Americans: Comanche chief Quanah Parker (1850-1911) ends his resistance to white settlement of Texas, enabling American expansion to proceed rapidly.Social IssuesJim Crow Laws: Segregation: Tennessee passes a "Jim Crow" law segregating blacks and whites on railroads (which are private, and so not covered by the Civil Rights Act). |
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1876 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
PoliticsRutherford B. Hayes (1822-1893) is elected the 19th President of the U.S., and William A. Wheeler (1819-1887) is elected as the nation's 19th Vice President. The election is so close that it is not finally concluded until 1877.GovernmentNew State: Colorado becomes the 38th state of the United StatesWarIndian Wars: At the Battle of the Little Big Horn (Custer’s Last Stand), Sioux Indians led by Chief Crazy Horse routed the U.S. 7th Cavalry led by Col. Custer (1839-1876). WarIndian Wars: In one of the final periods of intense Native American resistance to American expansion, Apache leader Geronimo (1829-1909) begins a 10-year reign of war and terror against white settlers in the American Southwest. | ScienceThomas Edison (1847-1931) establishes Menlo Park as America’s first research laboratory.MedicineThe bacillus that causes anthrax is discovered by Robert Koch (1843-1910).InventionsAlexander Graham Bell (1847-1922) patents the first telephone. InventionsThe first carpet sweeper is patented by inventor Melville Bissell (1843-1889), of Grand Rapids, Michigan.InventionsThomas Edison (1847-1931) patents the mimeograph machine. | EducationHigher Education: Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore opens.EducationThe Kindergarten exhibit at the Centennial Exhibition in Philadelphia enhances kindergarten’s popularity. EducationLibraries: The American Library Association is founded.Arts and LettersOpera: The first complete performance of Richard Wagner’s (1813-1883) operatic Ring cycle opens in Germany. | Johnson, ElizaEliza McCardle Johnson (1810-1876) dies of tuberculosis in December at her daughter's, Martha Patterson, house.Van Buren, HannahSmith Thommpson Van Buren (1817-1876), son of Martin and Hannah Van Buren dies. Lincoln, MaryA second jury finds Mary Todd Lincoln (1818-1882) sane. Later she travels again to Europe and spends most of her time in France. Hayes, LucyRutherford B. Hayes (1822-1893) runs for President of the U.S. His election is in dispute until January of 1877 because of contested election results in several states. | EconomicsRailroad History: All Southern Pacific and Central Pacific passenger cars converted to air brakes.Daily LifeThe Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks is organized. | Sports Baseball: The Chicago Cubs hold their first National League game, beating Louisville 4-0. Sports Baseball: The U.S. National Baseball League is establishedSports The first tennis tournament in the U.S. is held.Sports Polo is introduced to the U.S. from England.Sports Women in Sports: Ten percent of the members of the newly created Appalachin Mountain Club are women. Popular CultureMark Twain (1835-1910) publishes his book “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer”. | Social IssuesImmigration: California Senate committee investigates the “social, moral, and political effect of Chinese immigration.” ReformWomen's Rights Movement: A Declaration of the Rights of Women is distributed at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia by Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Matilda Gage.ReformProhibition: An early Prohibition Amendment to the Constitution is proposed in the House of Representatives. |
1877 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
GovernmentWomen's Suffrage Movement: The House of Representatives defeats a bill to amend the Constitution to allow women to vote where they are taxed.GovernmentRutherford B. Hayes (1822-1893) is inaugurated as the 19th President of the U.S., and William A. Wheeler (1819-1887) is inaugurated as the nation's 19th Vice President. GovernmentBritish imperialism is nearing its zenith as Britain annexes the South African Republic, and Queen Victoria (1819-1901) is proclaimed empress of India.WarIndian Wars: The Nez Perce tribes in the northwestern United States battle with American troops after years of passive noncompliance with treaties. The tribes ultimately surrender; their leader, Chief Joseph (1840-1904), gives a surrender speech considered one of the finest statements on Native American displacement. | ScienceU.S. astronomer Asaph Hall (1829-1907) discovers Deimos, ("panic" in Greek) a satellite of Mars, at the Naval Observatory in Washington.MedicineThe process for staining bacteria so as to see them under a microscope is invented by Robert Koch (1843-1910).InventionsCopper wire is invented.InventionsThomas Edison (1847-1931) invents the phonograph and makes the first sound recording. | EducationPublic Education: Reconstruction ends in 1877 when federal troops, which had occupied the South since the end of the Civil War are withdrawn. Whites regain political control of the South and lay the foundations of legal segregation.EducationChildren’s Books: Anna Sewell (1820-1878) is known only for one book, the perennial favorite "Black Beauty, the Autobiography of a Horse."EducationLibraries: Women's Firsts: Minerva Saunders is the first librarian to end age restrictions on borrowing books and to create a seperate childern's section.EducationThe YWCA in New York City establishes the first known typing course for women.EducationWomen's Firsts: Education of Women: Helen McGill(White) becomes the first woman in the U.S. to earn a Ph.D. degree; it is from Boston University, and her field is Greek drama.Arts and LettersDance: Tchaikovsky's (1840-1893) ballet "Swan Lake" is first performed at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow.Arts and LettersPainting: The third Impressionist exhibition is held in Paris.Arts and LettersDrama: American Theatre: Henrik Ibsen writes "Pillars of Society," an early example of the Realism in theatre that begins to compete with melodrama. With the advent of early realism, the role of the regisseur, or strong director, begins to develop. | Tyler, LetitiaRobert Tyler (1816-1877), the first son of John and Letitia Christian Tyler, dies December 3. Hayes, LucyLucy Hayes (1831-1889) and Rutherford B. Hayes (1822-1893) celebrate their 25th anniversary in the White House.Hayes, LucyA newspaper first refers to the wife of the President as the "First Lady." Lucy Hayes (1831-1889) is also the first Presidential wife to take the Oath of Office in the White House.Hayes, LucyLucy Hayes (1831-1889) oversees the first Easter egg-rolling contest at the White House. | EconomicsAmerican Money: The Department of the Treasury's bureau of Engraving and Printing starts printing all U.S. currency, although other steps are done outside. EconomicsA drink called root beer is first made and distributed by Charles Elmer Hires (1851-1937).EconomicsRailroad History: Four feuding American railroads cease their price wars and join together to cut wages, prompting the great railroad strike of 1877. Federal troops end the strike, but only after killing some workers and injuring many.DiscoveryBritish explorer Sir Henry Morton Stanley (1841-1904) reaches the mouth of the Congo River.Daily LifeThe first public telephones are installed in the U.S.Daily LifeThe first Westminster Dog Show is held. | Sports Women in Sports: The first women's field hockey club is started in Surrey, England. Sports Cricket: The first cricket match between Australia and England is played in Melbourne, the home side winning by 45 runs.Sports The first Wimbledon tennis championships are held. | Social IssuesImmigration: A mob in San Francisco sets fire to two dozen Chinese laundries in the city, sparking months of anti-Chinese violence.Social IssuesImmigration: United States Congress investigates the criminal influence of Chinese immigrants. Social IssuesRacism: Reconstruction in the South ends, and with it any effort of the Federal government to enforce the Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments in the South for nearly 100 years. |
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1878 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
PoliticsThird Parties: The Greenback-Labor Party is formed by labor organizations and advocates cheap money.PoliticsFor the first time in twenty years, Democrats win control of both houses of Congress.WarIndian Wars: Lincoln County War erupts in southeast New Mexico. | MedicineEpidemics: The last great epidemic of yellow fever kills more than 13,000 in the lower Mississippi valley.InventionsThe microphone is invented by David Hughes (1831-1900).InventionsThe phonograph, invented by Thomas Edison (1847-1931), is patented.InventionsSir Joseph Wilson Swan (1828-1914) is the first person to invent a practical and longer-lasting electic lightbulb. TechnologyAirplanes: Bishop Milton Wright (1828-1917), then living in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, brings home a rubber band-powered Penaud-type helicopter for his sons. They build several successful copies. Orville tells his schoolteacher that he and his brother Wilbur plan to build a large enough machine to carry the both of them. But when they try to build a larger model, it doesn’t fly.TechnologyThe first private connection by telephone in Great Britain was made on the Isle of Wight when Queen Victoria (1819-1901) spoke to Thomas Biddulph. | EducationWomen's Colleges: Physicist Sarah Frances Whiting (1846-1927) opens the second undergraduate physics laboratory in the U.S. at Wellesley College.EducationPublic Education: Kindergarten is incorporated into the San Francisco public school system.Arts and LettersDance: "Swan Lake" is first performed at the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow.Arts and LettersGilbert and Sullivan write "H.M.S. Pinafore."Arts and LettersLiterature: Thomas Hardy (1840-1928) writes "Return of the Native."Arts and LettersDrama: Actress Ellen Terry (1848-1928) becomes a part of the Irving Company at London's Lyceum Theatre.IdeasCharles Pierce (1839-1914) publishes "How to Make Our Ideas Clear," developing the philosophy of Pragmatism. | Harrison, AnnaJohn Scott Harrison (1804-1878), son of William Henry and Anna Harrison, dies May Hayes, LucyLucy Hayes (1831-1889) becomes widely known for her concern for and help to those in need in Washington, especially Civil War veterans and their families. | EconomicsThe name "Vaseline," a brand of petroleum jelly, is trademarked by Robert A. Chesebrough (1856-?).EconomicsThe first commercial telephone switchboard goes into operation in New Haven, Connecticut.EconomicsAmerican Money: The Department of the Treasury is authorized to issue Silver Certificates in exchange for silver dollars. EconomicsWomen's Firsts: Emma Nutt becomes the first woman telephone operator when she goes to worl for Edwin Holmes and his Telephone Dispatch Company in Boston, Massachusetts.EconomicsThe first bicycles are manufactured in the U.S.DiscoveryThe largest yellow diamond ever discovered is found in the Kimberly Mine of South Africa. It is purchased by New York's Tiffany & Co. and becomes known as the Tiffany Diamond.Daily LifeThe first telephone book is issued in New Haven, CT.Daily Life Newspapers: The first full-page newspaper advertisements appear. | Sports Women in Sports: Woman pedestrian Ada Anderson walks 3,000 quarter-miles in 3,000 quarter hours over the course of a month in New York' Mozart Hall, kicking off a series of "lady walker" matches. Sports The National Archery Association is organized.Popular CultureA London tunesmith introduces the word jingoism into the British parlance in the lyric: "We don't want to fight, but by jingo if we do/We've got the men, we've got the ships, we've got the money too." The word would characterize an era of British imperialism.Popular CultureShowboats, which had shut down during the Civil War, are revived as entertainment centers on the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. | ReligionAnna Howard Shaw (1847-1919) graduates as the only woman in her class in Boston University's divinity school; when she applies for ordination, her application is denied and her license to preach repealedReligionPittsburgh minister Charles Taze Russell (1852-1916), who will go on to found the Watchtower Society associated with the Jehovah''s Witnesses, preaches that the second coming happened invisibly in 1874 and that the world will end in 1914.Social IssuesAbortion: Anthony Comstock, head of the New York Society for the Suppression fo Vice, entraps New York abortion provider and brothel owner Madame Restell into giving him abortifacients and contraceptives by telling her his wife is pregnant and they cannot afford another child. He then exposes her, slapping her with a lawsuit. Fearing conviction, she commits suicide.Social IssuesRacism: The relocation of former slaves to Kansas, called the "Exoduster Movement," begins. Within the year, 30,000 blacks migrate to Kansas.ReformLabor Movement: Labor struggle intensifies in the United States when the Atchison, Topkea, and Santa Fe railraod cuts engineers' pay 10 percent. Striking workers shut the railroad down for five days. The militia is called in, and after a militiaman kills a bystander, labor leaders are arrested. |
1879 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
LawWomen’s Firsts: Belva Ann Lockwood (1830-1917) becomes the first woman admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court.PoliticsIrish nationalist Michael Davitt (1846-1906) founds the Irish Land League to resist absentee landlords and fight for a more equitable distribution of land in Ireland and independence from Britain.PoliticsPrime Minister Otto von Bismarck (1862-1890) engineers an Austro-German alliance in which either side will offer the other aid in the event of an attack from Russia. It's one of a series of alliances that prefigure the battle lines of World War I.GovernmentPresident Hayes (1822-1893) tries to reform the Civil Service, and to settle the question of Indian lands; large numbers of native Americans visit with him in Washington to argue their need for justice.GovernmentNational Capital: Electric lighting is installed in the Capitol building.GovernmentImmigration: A bill to restrict Chinese immigration is vetoed by President Hayes (1822-1893). WarThe Zulu War: The Zulu War begins between the British of the Cape Colony and the natives of Zululand. | ScienceRussian pathologist demonstrates by using dogs that the stomach will produce gastric juices even if there is no food, suggeting that reflexes are learned and conditioned, not natural, and that people can be taught to respond to anything.ScienceThe discovery of saccharin is reported.MedicineWomen's Firsts: Mary Mahoney(1845-1926) becomes the first black professional nurse in the U.S.InventionsThomas Edison (1847-1931) invents a workable electric light at his laboratory in Menlo Park, New Jersey.TechnologyAn internal combustion engine is used to power a "horseless carriage" by George Selden (1846-1922).TechnologyThomas Edison (1847-1931) gives the first public demonstration of an eletric incandescent lamp in Menlo Park, New Jeresy. | EducationNative Americans: Indian Education: The Carlisle Indian School is founded in Pennsylvania, in an aggressive U.S. government campaign to "civilize" Indian children.EducationWomen's Colleges: The first class at what was to become Radcliffe College, then called "The Society for the Collegiate Instruction of Women," begins.EducationAmerican educator Anna Hallowell(1831-1905) establishes free kindergartens in poor neighborhoods in Philadelphia.Arts and LettersLiterature: Among Henry James' (1843-1916) masterpieces is "Daisy Miller," in which the young and innocent American, Daisy, finds her values in conflict with European sophistication.Arts and LettersLiterature: Fyodor Dostoevsky (1821-1881) writes "The Brothers Karamzov."Arts and LettersOpera: "Evgeny Onegin," or "Eugene Onegin," best known opera by Russian composer Tchaikovsky (1840-1893), receives its first performance at the Maily Theater in Moscow.Arts and LettersDrama: Henrik Ibsen's (1828-1906) modern classic about the erosion of traditional domestic roles, "A Doll's House," is performed for the first time in Copenhagen.Arts and Letters"The Pirates of Penzance"(or "The Slave of Duty"), an operetta by Gilbert and Sullivan, has its first performance in New York City.IdeasAmerican economist Henry George (1839-1897) writes "Progress and Poverty," in which he observes increasing economic inequality in the United States. | Taylor, MargaretRichard Taylor (1826-1879), son of Zachary and Margaret Taylor, dies April 12.Johnson, ElizaAndrew Johnson Jr. (1852-1879), son of Andrew and Eliza Johnson, dies March 12. Coolidge, GraceGrace Anna Goodhue Coolidge (1879-1957), wife of Calvin Coolidge, is born in Burlignton, Vermont on January 3. | EconomicsThe first five-and-dime store is founded by Frank Woolworth (1852-1919) in Utica, New York; it later moves to Lancaster, Pennsylvania in the same year.Daily LifeNewspapers: Henry Grady (1850-1889) takes over the "Atlanta Constitution," in the pages of which he begins to exhort the South to attract northern capital and transform itself into a modern industrial region--to little avail.Daily LifeElectric arc lamps are installed on the streets of Cleveland, Ohio, by Charles Brush (1849-1929). | Sports The first major skiing contest occurs in Norway.Popular CultureAnnie Oakley (1860-1926) defeats Frank Butler in a shooting match; they later marry and tour the country in Wild West shows. | ReligionSt. Patrick's Cathedral opens in New York after twenty-six years of work.ReligionWomen’s Firsts: Mary Baker Eddy (1821-1910) establishes the Church of Christ, Scientist, becoming the first woman to found a major religion, Christian Science. Social IssuesRacism: With federal Reconstruction over and national troops out of the South, political repression of southern blacks starts to intensify.Social IssuesImmigration: California adopts a new constitution which, in part, prohibits the employment of Chinese workers.ReformTemperance Movement: Frances Willard (1839-1898) becomes president of the Women's Christian Temperance Union, campaigning also for women's rights with the motto, "Do Everything." |
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1880 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
LawCivil Rights Movement: The Supreme Court rules that the exclusion of Blacks from jury duty is unconstitutional.PoliticsJames A. Garfield (1831-1881) beats President Ulysses Grant (1822-1885) in a hotly contested election and becomes the 20th President of the U.S.; Chester A. Arthur (1829-1886) is elected as the 20th Vice President. | MedicineThe parasite that causes malaria is discovered.MedicineRubber gloves are introduced in hospital operating rooms after nurse Caroline Hampton developed a skin allergy to the antiseptic solutions used; when postoperative infections dropped dramatically, such gloves became part of the surgical team’s standard uniform.InventionsThe British Perforated Paper Company invents a form of toilet paper. InventionsEnglishman, John Milne (1850-1913) invents the modern seismograph. InventionsThomas Edison (1847-1931) is granted a patent for his incandescent light. TechnologyAirplanes: Otto Lilienthal (1848-1896), Germany, begins to test cambered wing surfaces and measures their lifting capability.TechnologyThe first large furnace for making steel is developed by Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919).TechnologyThe first wireless telephone message is sent by Alexander Graham Bell (1847-1922) through a “photophone,” a devise that transmits sound on a beam of light. | EducationLibraries: The initial funding of buildings for public libraries is begun by Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919).EducationPublic Education: Kindergarten is incorporated into the Chicago public school system. Arts and LettersLiterature: Russian novelist Fyodor Dostoyevsky (1821-1881) publishes "The Brothers Karamazov," a year before he dies. Arts and LettersLiterature: Lew Wallace (1827-1905) writes "Ben Hur."Arts and LettersSculpture: Rodin’s (1840-1917) sculpture, “The Thinker,” is exhibited in model form.Arts and LettersGilbert and Sullivan produce "The Pirates of Penzance" in London. It runs for over 300 performances. | Garfield, LucretiaLucretia Rudolph Garfield (1832-1918) is the first President's wife to be kissed by her husband at his inauguration. Arthur, EllenEllen Lewis Herndon Arthur (1837-1880), wife of Chester A. Arthur (1830-1886), dies of pneumonia on January 10, ten months before her husband is elected as Vice President of the United States.Harding, FlorenceEugene Marshall "Pete" DeWolfe (1880-1915), son of Warren and Florence Harding, is born September 22. Hayes, LucyLucy Hayes (1831-1889) accepts the national presidency of the Woman’s Home Missionary Society of the Methodist Church, a group that helps poor women and children.Hayes, LucyLucy Hayes (1831-1889) and Rutherford (1822-1893) spend 72 days touring the west, the first such trip by a sitting President.Lincoln, MaryMary Todd Lincoln (1818-1882) returns to the United States in 1880 and again goes to the Edwards' home in Springfield to live. She is slowly going blind. Harrison, CarolineBenjamin Harrison (1831-1901) is elected to the U.S. Senate from Indiana. He and Caroline Harrison (1832-1892) move to Washington, DC. | EconomicsThe De Beers Mining Corp. is founded by Cecil Rhodes (1853-1902) and Albert Beit (1853-1906) , both 27 years old. Rhodes will eventually acquire a near-total monopoly on the South African diamond industry. EconomicsThe population of Los Angeles, California, doubles between 1870 and 1880, a sign of the urbanization of the American west. EconomicsCensus: The U.S. population is 50.1 million people, including about 2.8 million immigrants.EconomicsNewspapers: Newspaper growth continues unabated in the postwar years. An astounding 11,314 different papers are recorded in the census.Daily LifeNewspapers: The first photographs are seen in newspapers that are printed using halftones.Daily LifeThe first canned fruits and vegetables appear in stores.Daily LifeThe first telephone box for public use goes into service. Daily LifeElectricity first lights the street lights in New York City. | Popular CultureJ.C. Harris publishes his “Uncle Remus” stories.Popular CultureThe game of bingo is developed from an Italian lotto game. | ReligionWomen Firsts: Anna Howard Shaw (1847-1919) is the first woman ordained by the Methodist Church.ReligionFrances Cabrini (later Mother Cabrini) (1850-1917) founds the Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart in Italy.Social IssuesPoverty: The American Salvation Army is established in Philadelphia.Social IssuesImmigration: Italy’s troubled economy, crop failures, and political climate begin the start of mass immigration with nearly four million Italian immigrants arriving in the United States. ReformLabor Movement: The word boycott comes into use when Irish tenant farmers refuse to harvest crops on an estate managed by British army captain Charles Cunningham Boycott (1832-1897). |
1881 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
LawThe United States Supreme Court rules that the Civil War income tax law of 1861 is constitutional. PoliticsIrish nationalist leader Charles Stewart Parnell (1846-1891) is imprisoned for agitating for home rule. From prison, he continues to direct tenant farmers to withhold rent as a means of gaining self-government. GovernmentThe assassination of Czar Alexander II in 1881 prompts civil unrest and economic instability throughout Russia. GovernmentJames A. Garfield (1831-1881) is inaugurated as the 20th President of the U.S.; Chester A. Arthur (1829-1886) is inaugurated as the 20th Vice President. GovernmentVice President Chester A. Arthur (1830-1886) becomes the 21st President of the United States upon the assassination of James A. Garfield (1831-1881). No new Vice President is selected. | MedicineVaccines: Louis Pasteur (1822-1895) develops an anthrax vaccine, and vaccinates a herd of sheep against the disease.
MedicineThe idea that mosquitoes are the carriers of yellow fever is proposed.Medicine"Angel of the battlefield" Clara Barton (1821-1912) founds the American Association of the Red Cross. InventionsAlexander Graham Bell (1847-1922) invents the first crude metal detector. TechnologyAirplanes: Louis Moulliard, France, writes another milestone in aeronautics, Empire of the Air, in which he proposes fixed-wing gliders with cambered wings, like birds. TechnologyBattery Technology: Leclanche's (1839-1882) battery is quite heavy and prone to breakage; the idea of encapsulating both the negative electrode and porous pot into a zinc cup is patented by J.A. Thiebaut in 1881.TechnologyThe first color photographs are produced by Frederick E. Ives. | EducationChildren’s Books: The very first appearance, under a pen-name, of Robert Louis Stevenson’ s(1850-1894) first and best-known children's adventure story, "Treasure Island," os published in the penny weekly, "Young Folks, A Boys' and Girls' Paper of Instructive and Entertaining Literature." EducationWomen’s Colleges: Spelman College is founded in Georgia as the first black women's college. EducationRachel Bodley, dean of the Women’s Medical College of Pennsylvania conducts a statistical survey about the careers of her school’s graduates, published as the pamphlet The College Story, one of the earliest studies of women in the professions.EducationHigher Education: Booker T. Washington (1856-1915) organizes the Normal and Industrail Institute for Negroes, which later becomes Tuskeegee Institute.Arts and LettersLiterature: Henry James (1843-1916) writes "The Portrait of a Lady," in which, again, a young American woman becomes a victim of her provincialism during her travels in Europe.Arts and LettersD’Oyly Carte (1844-1901) builds the electrified Savoy Theatre in London.Arts and LettersThe Boston Symphony Orchestra is founded. | Garfield, LucretiaJames Abram Garfield (1831-1881), 20th President of the U.S., is assassinated on July 2 and dies from the assault on September 19 in Elberon, New Jersey. Hayes, LucyLucy Hayes (1831-1889) and Rutherford (1822-1893) leave the White House at the end of his term and move to their home at Spiegel Grove in Ohio.Harrison, CarolineBenjamin Harrison (1831-1901) begins his term in the U.S. Senate. Caroline Harrison suffers a bad fall “and her health was delicate after that.” | Daily LifeThe first electric tram goes into public service in Germany, near Berlin. Daily LifeCrime and Punishment: Brothers Wyatt (1848-1929) and Virgil Earp (1843-1905) lead the shootout of Western movie fame against Ike Clanton''s gang at the O.K. Corral in Arizona territory. | Sports The first U.S. Lawn Tennis Championship is held.Popular CultureThe first vaudeville theatre to feature family entertainment is opened in New York City.Popular CultureTwenty-one-year old William Bonney, a.k.a. Billy the Kid (1859-61 exact year unknown-1881), escapes imprisonment but is hunted down and shot. Though he had killed 21 people, he becomes a legend, and pop retellings of his life story are hawked only weeks after his death. Popular CultureMark Twain (1835-1910) publishes "The Prince and the Pauper." | ReligionThe Vatican archives are opened to scholars.Social IssuesNative Americans: "A Century of Injustice" is published by Helen Hunt Jackson, about mistreatment of Indians.Social IssuesSegregation: Tennessee legislature passes a law mandating that black passengers be segregated on railroads. "Jim Crow" legislation is soon imitated throughout the South. ReformLabor Movement: The American Federation of Labor is formed. ReformWomen's Suffrage Movement: Susan B. Anthony finances and publishes The History of Women’s Suffrage, which eventually totals six volumes |
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1882 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
LawWomen's Rights Movement: Two U.S. judges decide that women may sue their husbands for assault and battery.GovernmentImmigration: The Chinese Exclusion Act, which bars Chinese laborers from coming to the United States, goes into effect.GovernmentPresidents: Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882-1945), the 32nd President of the United States, is born in Hyde Park, New York.GovernmentThe 3-mile limit for territorial waters is agreed upon at the Hague Convention. | MedicineRobert Koch (1843-1910) discovers the tuberculosis bacillus and establishes that the disease is communicable. MedicineHypnosis is used to treat hysteria, signaling the beginning of psychoanalysis.MedicineSurgical sutures made from catgut thread are replaced with silk ones.MedicineVaccines: Louis Pasteur (1822- 1895) develops a rabies vaccine.InventionsThe electric fan and the electric flat iron are invented. InventionsAfrican American Inventors: Lewis H. Latimer (1848-1928) patents the carbon filament for electric light bulbs.TechnologyThomas Edison (1847-1931) designs the first hydroelectric plant in Appleton, WI.TechnologyThe first motion picture is made, using a “rifle-camera” that shoots 12 images in one second. | EducationChildren''s Books: Children''s classic "Pinocchio" is written by Italian author Carlo Collodi (1826-1890). EducationEducation of Women: The American Association of University Women is founded by Alice Elvira Freeman Palmer (1855-1902).Arts and LettersOpera: Wagner's (1813-1883) opera "Parsifal" is first performed, at Bayreuth, western Germany. Arts and LettersTchaikovsky (1840-1893) writes the "1812 Overture."Arts and LettersAmerican Theatre: David Belasco (1853-1931) apprenticed in San Francisco, moves to Madison Square Theatre in New York as stage manager and becomes an independent producer in 1895. | Cleveland, FrancesGrover Cleveland (1837-1906) is elected Mayor of Buffalo and then Governor of New York, as a Democrat. He wins reputation for uncovering political corruption.Lincoln, MaryMary Todd Lincoln (1818-1882) dies of “paralysis” at her sister Elizabeth’s house on July 15 in Springfield, Illinois. | EconomicsAmerican rail magnate William Vanderbilt (1856-1938) eliminates mail trains from Chicago, because they are not profitable. EconomicsJohn D. Rockefeller's (1839-1937) Standard Oil Trust brings 95 percent of the American petroleum industry under the control of a nine-man board. EconomicsCommercially supplied electrical power is inaugurated in New York City. Daily LifeCrime and Punishment: After more than 15 years of robbing banks, outlaw Jesse James (1847- 1882) is shot in the back at St Joseph, Missouri, by Robert Ford, one of his own gang. Daily LifeHolidays: The first Labor Day celebration is held in New York City.Daily LifeEllen Swallow Richards (1842-1911) writes "The Chemistry of Cooking and Cleaning." | Sports Baseball: The American Baseball Association is founded.Sports Boxing: John L. Sullivan (1858-1918) wins the heavyweight boxing championship. Sports The National Croquet Association is founded.Sports Women in Sports: At the YWCA in Boston, the first athletic games for women are held. Popular CultureRobert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894) writes "Treasure Island."Popular CultureJumbo the elephant appears in P.T. Barnum's (1810-1891) Barnum and Bailey Circus; he is advertised as the "largest elephant in or out of captivity." Popular CultureClan warfare between the Hatfields and McCoys breaks out in southern Appalachia. The bloodbath, which has its roots in lingering Civil War tensions, lasts for six years until Kentucky authorities seize some of the members of the Hatfield family. | ReligionThe Knights of Columbus, a fraternal organization of Catholic men, is founded in Connecticut.Social IssuesImmigration: Russia’s May Laws severely restrict the ability of Jewish citizens to live and work in Russia. The country’s instability prompts more than three million Russians to immigrate to the United States over three decades.Social IssuesImmigration: The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 suspends immigration of Chinese laborers under penalty of imprisonment and deportation.ReformWomen''s Rights Movement: Two U.S. judges decide that women may sue their husbands for assault and battery. |
1883 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
LawCivil Rights Movement: The Supreme Court declares the Civil Rights Act of 1875 unconstitutional (except for jury duty), ruling that the government can protect political, not social, rights.GovernmentThe United States adopts standard time. GovernmentThe U.S. Civil Service Commission is established by the Pendleton Act.WarCongress orders the building of ships that begin the modern U.S. Navy. | ScienceThe fact that an electrical current can be sent through space—the basis of electronics—is discovered by Thomas Edison (1847-1931).MedicineThe bacillus that causes diphtheria is discovered.InventionsEnglish engineer Hiram Maxim (1840-1916) invents the fully automatic machine gun. InventionsYoung German-American entrepreneur Julius Schmidt invents a modern version of the condom. InventionsAfrican American Inventors: Jan Ernst Matzeliger (1852-1889) patents a machine that can make up to 700 shoes a day.TechnologyThe Brooklyn Bridge, the world's first suspension bridge, opens to pedestrian traffic, linking Manhattan to Brooklyn. TechnologyThe first “skyscraper” is built in Chicago: it has 10 floors.TechnologyAirplanes: John J. Montgomery (1858-1911) of California builds a monoplane glider and makes the first gliding flight in America. TechnologyAirplanes: Charles Parsons, England, inventor of the turbine motor, tests a small 1/4 horsepower steam turbine engine in a model airplane, propelling it for approximately 300 feet. Although Parsons experiments had little effect on the development of aviation, some consider this to be the first jet aircraft. | Arts and LettersPoetry: Poet Emma Lazarus (1849-1887) publishes the sonnet “The New Colossus,” which will be inscribed on the Statue of Liberty.IdeasPhilosopher Friedrich Nietzsche's (1844-1900) "Thus Spake Zarathustra" appears in print. | Tyler, JuliaJohn Alexander "Alex" Tyler (1848-1883), son of John Tyler and his second wife Julia, dies September 1. Johnson, ElizaMary Johnson Stover Brown (1832-1883), daughter of Andrew and Eliza Johnson, dies April 19. Hayes, LucyThe Hayes family is happy in retirement at Spiegel Grove. Lucy Hayes (1831-1889) spends a lot of time in the garden, and supervising the farm. She also continues to correspond with national figures and to give parties. | EconomicsRailroad History: The Northern Pacific Railroad across the United States is completed. EconomicsA deep drought begins on the western plains of the United States. The suffering of farmers produces radical political activity, such as the Farmer''s Alliance, one of the first demonstrations of Populism as a movement in the 19th century.EconomicsRailroad History: The Northern Pacific and Southern Pacific are completed.Daily LifeMagazines: "The Ladies’ Home Journal" is founded.Daily LifeMagazines: "Life Magazine" is established. | Sports Women in Sports: Mrs. M. C. Howell wins her first archery title. She will win the national championship for women 17 times between 1883 and 1907. Sports Matthew Webb (1848-1883), first man to swim the English Channel (in 1875) drowns while attempting to swim the rapids above Niagara Falls. Sports The first annual New York Horse Show is held in New York City.Popular CultureThe first vaudeville theater, the Gaiety Museum, opens in Boston. Popular CultureWilliam F. Cody (1846-1917) organizes his first “Wild West Show.”Popular CultureMark Twain (1835-1910) publishes "Life on the Mississippi."Popular CultureHoward Pyle (1853-1911) writes (and illustrates) "The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood." | |
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1884 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
PoliticsThird Parties: Belva Ann Lockwood (1830-1917) runs for president as the candidate for the Equal Rights Party; she loses.PoliticsThird Parties: The Anti-Monopoly Party and the Greenback-Labor Party join to form People's Party, supporting many liberal measures including a graduated income tax.PoliticsDemocrat Grover Cleveland (1837-1906) defeats the Republican "plumed knight" James Blaine (1830-1893), becoming the first Democratic president of the United Staes since before the Civil War, and the 22nd President of the U.S. Thomas A. Hendricks (1819-1885) becomes the nation's 21st Vice President.GovernmentThe Bureau of Labor and the Department of the Interior are created by Congress.GovernmentNational Capitol: The capstone is placed on the Washington Monument.GovernmentPresidents: Harry S. Truman (1884-1972) , 33rd president of the United States (1945- 53), is born in Lamar, Missouri. | MedicineThe bacillus that causes tetanus is discovered.InventionsOttmar Mergenthaler (1854-1899) invents the Linotype machine, the first mechanized printing typesetter, which will speed up the presses for newspapers. InventionsThe first practical turbine engine is invented.InventionsThe first accurate adding machine is invented.InventionsThe first coin-operated weighing machine is patented by Percy Everitt. TechnologyThe first practical fountain pen is manufactured by Lewis E. Waterman (1837-1901).TechnologyAirplanes: Alexander F. Mozhaiski, Russia, builds a steam-powered monoplane and tests it at Krasnoye Selo, near St. Petersburg. It takes off on a jump ramp and flies for approximately 100 feet before crashing. This is the second power-assisted take-off in history. TechnologyAirplanes: Horatio F. Phillips, England, experiments with cambered wings in a wind tunnel and lays down the scientific foundation for modern airfoil design. He is the first to discover that when the wind blows across a curved surface, it creates a low pressure area on top of the surface and high pressure beneath it. This, in turn, generates lift. | EducationNative Americans: Indian Education: Educational policy regarding Native Americans is articulated at the Lake Mohonk Conference. EducationWomen's Colleges: The first state-supported college for women, Mississippi State College for women is chartered.Education The first volume of the Oxford English Dictionary is published. EducationThe National Education Association forms a kindergarten department. | Roosevelt, EleanorAnna Eleanor Roosevelt (1884-1962) is born in New York City on October 11. She is the seventh of ten First Ladies born in New York, the "mother state" of presidential wives.Roosevelt, EdithAlice Lee Roosevelt Longworth (1884-1980), only child of first marriage of Theodore Roosevelt and Alice Hathaway Lee Roosevelt, is born February 12. | Daily LifeThe Statue of Liberty is presented to America by the people of France. Daily LifeThe first roller coaster opens at Coney Island in Brooklyn, New York City. | Sports Baseball: Baseball gets new rules and goes on to become an extremely popular sport in America. Its growth is also linked to the development of cities and urban culture.Sports Women in Sports: Women's singles tennis competition is added to Wimbledon. Maud Watson wins in both 1884 and '85. Sports Baseball: The first U.S. baseball championship is won by Providence (RI) of the National League, beating the New York Metropolitans, 3-0.Popular CultureAmerican author Mark Twain (1835-1910) publishes "Huckleberry Finn." | ReligionCharles Taze Russell (1852-1916) founds the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society (which led to the Jehovah''''s Witnesses in the United States).Social IssuesNative Americans: The novel "Ramona" is written by Helen Hunt Jackson (1830-1885) dramatizing the oppression of Indians in the American west. |
1885 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
GovernmentImmigration: The Contract Labor Act prohibits the importing of laborors who then work for the cost of transit; skilled, domestic, and professional workers are exempted.GovernmentNational Capitol: The Washington Monument is dedicated. GovernmentGrover Cleveland (1837-1906) is inaugurated as the 22nd President of the United Staes and Thomas A. Hendricks (1819-1885) in inaugurated as the nation's 21st Vice President.GovernmentPresident Cleveland (1837-1906) proposes the suspension of the minting of silver dollars, fearing that silver is undermining the nation’s gold reserves.WarIndian Wars: Apache Indians leave their reservation in Arizona and continue their war against Whites under Geronimo. | ScienceIn memory of ornithologist James Audubon (1785-1851), the National Audubon Society is founded in the United States to study bird species. ScienceSir Francis Galton (1822-1911) establishes the uniqueness of fingerprints.MedicineThe first appendectomy in the United States is performed in Davenport Iowa, by Dr. William Grant. MedicineVaccines: Louis Pasteur (1822-1895) administers the first anti-rabies vaccine to a nine-year-old schoolboy. InventionsThe first motorcycle is patented, built by Gottlief Daimler in Germany.InventionsKarl Benz (1824-1929) builds the world's first gasoline-powered vehicle. It has a traveling speed of nine miles per hour. InventionsThe first modern bicycle is built. Bikes are a craze in America and Europe until the end of the century. InventionsThe dictaphone, the electric transformer, the electric drill, and the thermos bottle are invented.InventionsAfrican American Inventors: Women’s Firsts: Sarah E. Goode becomes the first African-American woman to receive a patent, for a bed that folds up into a cabinet. | EducationChildren’s Books: Frances Hodgson Burnett (1849-1924), writes "Little Lord Fauntleroy." EducationChildren's Books: Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894) publishes "A Child’s Garden of Verses."EducationThe Bryn Mawr School for Girls in Baltimore, later joined by Bryn Mawr College for Women near Philadelphia, is founded.Arts and Letters"The Mikado," the comic operetta by William S. Gilbert (1836-1911) and Sir Arthur Sullivan (1842-1900), premieres at the Savoy Theatre, London. Arts and LettersAmerican Theatre: Theatrical lighting with electricity is made available to theatrical productions. | Truman, BessElizabeth Virginia Wallace Truman (1885-1982), wife of Harry S. Truman, is born in Independence, Missouri, on February 13.Grant, JuliaUlysses S. Grant (1822-1885), 18th President of the United States, dies July 23 in Mount McGregor, New York. | EconomicsThe first commercially operated electrical streetcar begins operation in Baltimore. EconomicsRailroad History: The Santa Fe Railroad is completed.Daily LifeSpecial delivery mail service begins in the United States. Daily LifeNewspapers: Elizabeth Cochrane Seaman (1867-1922), writing as Nelly Bly, becomes a reporter for the Pittsburgh Dispatch, reporting on poor working conditions in factories, problems of working girls, slums, divorce, and political corruption.Daily LifeHistory of Toys: Crayola Crayons: Edwin Binney (1866-1934) and cousin, C. Harold Smith, begin the partnership of Binney & Smith in Peekskill, N.Y. Early products include red oxide pigments for painting red barns and carbon black for car tires. | Sports Golf: Golf is introduced to the U.S. from Scotland by John M. Fox of Philadelphia.Sports A weight-lifting strongman is reported to have lifted 3,239 pounds with a harness.Popular CultureH. Rider Haggard (1856-1925) writes the adventure novel, "King Solomon’s Mines."Popular Culture"A Thousand and One Nights" is translated by Richard Burton (1821-1890); it includes the stories of “Sindbad the Sailor,” “Aladdin and the Magic Lamp,” and Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves.” | ReligionThe U.S. Salvation Army is officially organized. ReligionThe Mormons divide into polygamous and monogamous factions. |
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1886 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
LawThe Supreme Court rules that “persons” under the Fourteenth Amendment refers not only to individuals but also to corporations.GovernmentThe U.S. Forestry Service is established as part of the Dept. of Agriculture.GovernmentA new Presidential Succession Act is passed providing the presidential succession to go to the Vice President, and then to Cabinet officers in the order that their departments were created.WarIndian Wars: The last large-scale Indian war in the United States ends when American troops capture Apache chief Geronimo (1829-1909) after four years of warfare on the Mexican border. | ScienceFluorine is first produced by French chemist Henri Moissan (1852-1907).InventionsGerman motor pioneer Karl Benz (1844-1929) is granted a patent for the first successful gasoline-powered car.InventionsJosephine Cochrane (1839-1913) invents the dishwasher. InventionsGottlieb Daimler (1834-1900) builds the world's first four-wheeled motor vehicle. InventionsJohn Pemberton (1814-1881) invents Coca Cola. TechnologyHydroelectric plants are begun at Niagara Falls.TechnologyWax disks are developed to use with the phonograph.TechnologySewing machines are made with electric motors. | EducationChildren’s Books: Randolph Caldecott (1846-1886), provides the illustrations for Hallam Tennyson's (1852-1928) curious hexameter version of "Jack and the Bean-stalk." EducationLibraries: The main library and the first four branches of the Enoch Pratt Free Library open in Baltimore, providing service to users of all races.Arts and LettersLiterature: Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894) writes "Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde."IdeasKarl Marx’ (1818-1883) "Das Capital" is published in English. | Wilson, EllenMargaret Woodrow Wilson (1886-1944), daughter of Woodrow and Ellen Wilson, is born April 30. Washington, MarthaMartha Washington (1731-1802) becomes the first woman to be portrayed on U.S. paper money.Adams, LouisaCharles Frances Adams (1807-1886), son of President John Quincy Adams and Louisa Adams, dies of a stroke on November 21 at the age of 79. Arthur, EllenChester A. Arthur (1830-1886), 21st President of the U.S., dies November 18 in New York, New York. Cleveland, FrancesWhite House Wedding: Frances Folsom (1864-1947) marries U.S. President Grover Cleveland (1837-1906) in the White House. | EconomicsJohannesburg is founded in South Africa. The gold-mining town will eventually mine the vast majority of the world's gold. EconomicsCatering to farmers far from large stores, Richard Sears (1863-1914) establishes a successful mail-order house in Minneapolis, first selling watches. He hires A.C. Roebuck (1864-1948) as a watch repairmen the next year in Chicago. EconomicsThe first Coca-Cola is sold in Atlanta, advertised as a hangover remedy containing coca leaves and African kola nut extract. EconomicsAluminum is first produced independently in the U.S. and in France.Daily LifeThe first Tournament of Roses is held in Pasadena, California.Daily LifeThe Statue of Liberty is dedicated in New York Harbor. Daily LifeThe History of Toys: The first BB gun is created. Made for children, it scares many parents because it is actually a working gun that can cause injury. The BB gun is a descendant of the cap gun, which was invented soon after the Civil War, when some shotgun manufacturers converted their factories to make toys. Penny pistols and other authentic looking toy guns also began to appear in the 1880s. | | ReformWomen's Suffrage Movement: A bill granting women suffrage is passed by the Vermont legislatureReformSettlement House Movement: The first settlement house is established in New York City.ReformLabor Movement: Chicago police officers shoot four strikers at a May 1st rally for the eight-hour day. The Knights of Labor holds a rally in Haymarket Square to protest the shootings; a bomb goes off, killing a policeman, and the police open fire on the crowd, killing many workers. ReformLabor Movement: Samuel Gompers (1850-1924), a cigar maker, founds the American Federation of Labor. |
1887 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
PoliticsWomen's Firsts: Susanna Medora Salter (1820-1906) is elected the first U.S. woman mayor, in Argonia, Kansas.GovernmentCongress creates Yellowstone National Park to be a refuge for buffalo and big game.GovernmentQueen Victoria (1819-1901) celebrates her Golden Jubilee, marking 50 years on the British throne.GovernmentNative Americans: The Dawes Act, which provides for the allotment of reservation land for individual Native American families, is passed by Congress.GovernmentCongress passes the Interstate Commerce Act, enabling the federal government to regulate railroad rates for the first time.WarCongress renews the U.S.-Hawaii Treaty, giving the U.S. exclusive rights to build a naval base at Pearl Harbor. | MedicineLouis Pasteur (1822-1895) and Jules-Francois Jourbert (1834-1910) of France first demonstrate the antibiotic effect.InventionsCelluloid film is invented.InventionsThomas Edison (1847-1931) invents the record player.TechnologyParis and Brussels become the first two capital cities to be linked by telephone. | EducationSpecial Education: Twenty-year-old teacher Anne Sullivan (1866-1936) begins to teach blind-and-deaf child Helen Keller (1880-1968) at the request of Alexander Graham Bell (1847-1922). Helen soon learns to communicate.EducationHigher Education: Women's Colleges: The Smith College Observatory is founded.EducationThe Hatch Act appropriates federal money to study agriculture in any state with a Land Grant College.EducationHigher Education: Libraries: Melville Dewey (1851-1931) establishes a State Library School in Albany, NY.Arts and LettersOpera: Verdi's (1813-1901) opera "Othello" is first performed in Milan, Italy.IdeasPolish philologist Lazurus Ludwig Zemenhof (1859-1917) invents Esperanto, hoping that an international language will forestall war and bring about better communication between the peoples of the world. | Wilson, EllenJessie Woodrow Wilson Sayre (1887-1933), daughter of Woodrow and Ellen Wilson, is born August 28. Roosevelt, EdithTheodore "Ted" Roosevelt (Jr.) (1887-1944), son of Theodore and Edith Roosevelt, is born September 13. | EconomicsThe Pennsylvania Railroad runs an electrically lighted train between New York and Chicago.EconomicsThe first successful electric trolley line is built in Richmond, VA.Daily LifeMail is delivered free in all cities with a population of at least 10,000.Daily LifeDisasters: Terrible blizzards devastate America''s nothern plains. Families are found frozen to death in tar-paper shacks.Daily LifeThe History of Toys: The speaking doll, which had first been invented by Johann Maelzel in 1820, is improved when Thomas Edison combines his phonograph technology with a doll, allowing it to speak. | Sports Women in Sports: Ellen Hansell is crowned the first Women's Singles tennis champion at the US Open. Sports Softball: Softball is invented by George Hancock, a reporter for the Chicago Board of Trade.Sports The first national women's tennis tournament is held at the Philadelphia Cricket Club.Popular CultureSir Arthur Conan Doyle (1859-1930) publishes his first Sherlock Holmes mystery, "A Study in Scarlet." | Social IssuesNative Americans: The Dawes Act divides tribal land into individual allotted tracts, destroying tribal relations in an attempt to promote assimilation into white culture.ReformWomen's Suffrage Movement: Utah repeals women's suffrage.ReformNellie Bly (1867-1922) is hired by the New York World; her reporting lays the groundwork for the reform-minded muckracking journalists who come after her. |
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1888 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
LawChief Justices: President Grover Cleveland (1837-1908) nominates Melville Weston Fuller (1833-1910) Chief Justice of the Supreme Court. He is confirmed by the Senate and serves for twenty-one years. PoliticsBenjamin Harrison (1831-1901) is elected as the 23rd President of the U.S., and Levi P. Morton (1824-1920) is elected as the nation's 22nd Vice President.PoliticsPolitical anthems: A Belgian woodcarver publishes the song "L'Internationale," with lyrics written during the Paris Commune uprising: "Arise, ye prisoners of starvation/ Arise, ye wretched of the earth...." The song is adopted by the Communist Party.PoliticsBelva Ann Lockwood (1830-1917) once more runs for the president for the Equal Rights Party; once again, she loses.GovernmentCongress creates the Department of Labor.GovernmentNational Capitol: The public is first admitted to the Washington Monument. | ScienceWeather fronts are first described; speculation considers thier relationship to storms.InventionsArtifical straws for drinking are patented.InventionsAfrican American Inventors: Granville T. Woods (1856-1910) patents a system for overhead communication between trains and railroad stations.InventionsJohn Boyd Dunlop (1840-1921) takes out a patent for his pnuematic bicycle tire.InventionsCroation-American Nikola Tesla (1856-1943) invents an alternating-current electronic motor. He also develops early radio technology, but he gets little financial reward for his achievements.InventionsGeorge Eastman (1854-1932) invents the Kodak camera.TechnologyEmile Berliner (1851-1929) gives the first demonstration of flat disc recording and reproduction before the Franklin Institute in Philadelphia.TechnologyIncubators are used for premature infants.TechnologyThe first seismograph in the U.S. is installed in California.TechnologyAirplanes: Augustus Herring, New York, builds and tests a glider. It fails to fly. | EducationNative Americans: Indian Education: Red Cloud invites the Jesuits to the reservation to establish a school for Lakota children in order to avoid sending children off the reservation.EducationThe National Geographic Society is established and publishes the first issue of its journal.EducationA women's annex to Columbia University is voted by the trustees.Arts and LettersSculpture: Auguste Rodin (1840-1917) finshes his sculpture "The Thinker" in an enlarged size.Arts and LettersRimsky-Korsakov (1844-1908) composes "Sheherazade."Arts and LettersJohn Phillips Sousa (1854-1932) writes "Semper Fidelis" for the Marines.IdeasAmerican socialist Edward Bellamy (1850-1898) writes "Looking Backward," a utopian science-fiction novel depicting the United States in the year 2000. | | Daily LifeDisasters: The famous "Blizzard of''88" occurs, lasting 36 hours and killing 400 people.Daily LifeCrime and Punishment: New York state establishes electrocution for murderers sentenced to die.Daily LifeCrime and Punishment: The body of Mary Ann "Polly" Nichols and Annie Chapman, the first two victims of murderer "Jack the Ripper," are found in London. Five more London prostitues are found disemboweled and a rumor circulates that Queen Victoria is responsible for their deaths to distract the public from scandals surrounding her son. | Sports Softball: Softball moves outdoors, played on a diamond smaller than baseball''s, and called Indoor-Outdoor Baseball.Sports Women in Sports: Women join bicycling clubs in Chicago and tennis clubs in New York City.Popular CultureThe world's first beauty contest takes place at Spa in Belgium. The first prize is awarded to Bertha Soucaret. an 18-year-old Creole from Guadeloupe.Popular Culture"Casey at the Bat" is recited for the first time in public. | |
1889 |
Law, Politics, Government, and War | Science, Medicine, Inventions, and Technology | Education, Arts and Letters, and Ideas | Lives of the First Ladies | Economics, Discovery, and Daily Life | Sports and Popular Culture | Religion, Social Issues, and Reform |
GovernmentNew State: Four states are admitted to the Union and include North and South Dakota as the 39th and 40th states, Montana as the 41st state, and Washington as the 42nd state.GovernmentNative Americans: Indian lands in Oklahoma are made available to white settlers. GovernmentBenjamin Harrison (1831-1901) is inaugurated as the 23rd President of the U.S., and Levi P. Morton (1824-1920) is inaugurated as the nation's 22nd Vice President. | ScienceThe origin of insulin in the pancreas is discovered.InventionsAn inexpensive method of producing aluminum is patented by Charles Hall of Ohio.InventionsJoshua Pusey invents the matchbook. InventionsSir James Dewar (1842-1923) and Sir Frederick Abel co-invent Cordite - a type of smokeless gunpowder. TechnologyAirplanes: Lawrence Hargrave (1850-1915), Australia, builds the first rotary airplane engine. It runs on compressed air and Hargrave uses it to power his model aircraft.TechnologyThe Eiffel Tower is completed in Paris.TechnologyThe first celluloid movie in the U.S. is made. | EducationBarnard College, a women's college affiliated with Columbia University and named after Columbia's president Frederick Barnard (1809-1889) is founded in New York.EducationCatholic Univeristy opens in Washington D.C.EducationClinical training is established as part of medical education at John Hopkins University Medical School.EducationChildren’s Books: The Scottish-born poet, classicist, folklorist, and critic Andrew Lang (1844-1912) writes "The Blue Fairy Book."EducationWomen's Firsts: Marie Louise Baldwin becomes the first black school principal in Massachusetts; she supervises 12 white teahcers and more than 500 children, 98% of them white.Arts and LettersPainting: In a frenzy of activity, Vincent Van Gogh (1853-1890) finishes several famous paintings, including "The Starry Night," one of his last works.Arts and LettersLiterature: Robert Louis Stevenson (1850-1894) writes "The Master of Ballantrae." | Hayes, LucyLucy Webb Hayes (1831-1889) dies of a major stroke on June 25, while sewing as she watches a tennis match at Spiegel Grove, Ohio.Harrison, CarolineCaroline Harrison (1832-1892) tries to get Congress to appropiate funds to enlarge the White House; she fails, but does succeed in getting them to provide money for renovations.Tyler, JuliaJulia Gardiner Tyler (1820-1889) dies of a stroke in Richmond, Virginia on July 10.Harrison, CarolineElectric lights are installed at the White House, but President Benjamin Harrison (1831-1901) and his wife, Caroline (1832-1892) refuse to touch the swithces, so the lights must be turned on by an employee at night, then turned off in the morning.Fillmore, AbigailMillard Powers Fillmore (1828-1889), son of Millard and Abigail Fillmore, dies November 15. Roosevelt, EdithKermit Roosevelt (1889-1943), son of Theodore and Edith Roosevelt, is born October 10.Wilson, EllenEleanor "Nellie" Randolph Wilson McAdoo (1889-1967), daughter of Woodrow and Ellen Wilson, is born October 16. Taft, HelenRobert Alphonso Taft (1889-1953), son of William Howard and Helen Taft, is born September 8. | Economics"The man who dies rich dies disgraced." writes steel baron and philanthropist Andrew Carnegie (1835-1919), displaying the contradictory attitudes towards wealth characteristic of the American Gilded Age.EconomicsIsaac Singer (1811-1875) markets an electric sewing machine.EconomicsThe first anti-trust laws are passed in Kansas, North Caolina, Tennessee, and Michigan.Daily LifeThe first premixed self-rising pancake mix is marketed in the U.S.Daily LifeDisasters: The Johnstown flood occurs in Pennsylvania.Daily LifeNewspapers: The "Wall Street Journal" begins publishing.Daily LifeMagazines: "Cosmopolitan Magazine" is founded. | Sports Women in Sports: The first women's six-day bicycle race ends at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Sports Softball: George Hancock publishes the first set of Indoor-Outdoor Baseball (softball) rules.Sports Football: The first All-American Football Team is chosen by coach Walter Camp (1859-1925).Sports Boxing: The last bare-knuckled boxing championship occurs in Mississippi.Popular CultureMark Twain (1835-1910) writes "A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court."Popular CultureNelly Bly (1867-1922) circles the globe in 72 days, beating by 8 days the record of the fictional Phileas Fogg in Jules Verne's "Around the World in 80 Days."Popular CultureJohn Phillip Sousa (1854-1932) composes the "Washington Post March." | Social IssuesNative Americans: Land in Oklahoma, formerly in Indian hands, is opened to white settlers; about 50,000 settlers rushed in on the first day.ReformSettlement House Movement: Jane Addams (1860-1935) opens Hull House in Chigago. It''s part of the settlement-house mevement to help immigrant populations adjust to American life both materially and culturally.ReformWomen's Rights Movement: M. Carey (1857-1935) Thomas leads the group of feminists who secure admission of women students to the John Hopkins Medical School as a condition of a large gift to its endowment. |
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