The 1840s

1846 180 years ago

The Donner Party of pioneers departs Independence, Missouri for California, on what will become a year-long journey of h

The Donner Party, sometimes called the Donner–Reed Party, was a group of American pioneers who migrated to California in a wagon train from the Midwest. Delayed by a multitude of m…

The Donner Party of pioneers departs Independence, Missouri for California, on what will become a year-long journey of h

1846 180 years ago

Mexican–American War: The United States declares war on the Federal Republic of Mexico following a dispute over the Amer

The Mexican–American War, also known in the United States as the Mexican War and in Mexico as the United States intervention in Mexico, was an invasion of Mexico by the United Stat…

Mexican–American War: The United States declares war on the Federal Republic of Mexico following a dispute over the Amer

1846 180 years ago

The Associated Press is formed in New York City as a non-profit news cooperative

The Associated Press (AP) is an American not-for-profit news agency headquartered in New York City. Founded in 1846, it operates as a cooperative, unincorporated association, and p…

The Associated Press is formed in New York City as a non-profit news cooperative

1846 180 years ago

Mexican–American War: President Mariano Paredes of Mexico unofficially declares war on the United States

The Mexican–American War, also known in the United States as the Mexican War and in Mexico as the United States intervention in Mexico, was an invasion of Mexico by the United Stat…

Mexican–American War: President Mariano Paredes of Mexico unofficially declares war on the United States

1846 180 years ago

Rita Cetina Gutiérrez, Mexican poet, educator, and activist (died 1908)

Rita Cetina Gutiérrez was a 19th-century Mexican educator, writer, and feminist who promoted women's education in Mérida, Yucatán. She helped found a literary society, a periodical…

Rita Cetina Gutiérrez, Mexican poet, educator, and activist (died 1908)

1846 180 years ago

Naim Frashëri, Albanian-Turkish poet and translator (died 1900)

Naim bey Frashëri, more commonly Naim Frashëri, was an Albanian historian, journalist, poet, translator, and one of the most prominent figures of the Albanian National Awakening. R…

Naim Frashëri, Albanian-Turkish poet and translator (died 1900)

1846 180 years ago

Peter Carl Fabergé, Russian goldsmith and jeweler (died 1920)

Peter Carl Gustavovich Fabergé was a Russian goldsmith and jeweller. He is best known for creating Fabergé eggs made in the style of genuine Easter eggs, but using precious metals …

Peter Carl Fabergé, Russian goldsmith and jeweler (died 1920)

1846 180 years ago

Bear Flag Revolt begins: Anglo settlers in Sonoma, California, start a rebellion against Mexico and proclaim the Califor

The California Republic, commonly known as the Bear Flag Republic, was a short-lived unrecognized breakaway state from Mexico, that existed from June 14 to July 9, 1846. It militar…

Bear Flag Revolt begins: Anglo settlers in Sonoma, California, start a rebellion against Mexico and proclaim the Califor

1846 180 years ago

The Oregon Treaty extends the border between the United States and British North America, established by the Treaty of 1

The Oregon Treaty was a treaty between the United Kingdom and the United States that was signed on June 15, 1846, in Washington, D.C. The treaty brought an end to the Oregon bounda…

The Oregon Treaty extends the border between the United States and British North America, established by the Treaty of 1

1846 180 years ago

The Papal conclave of 1846 elects Pope Pius IX, beginning the longest reign in the history of the papacy

A conclave was held from 14 to 16 June 1846 to elect a new pope to succeed Gregory XVI, who had died in 1 June. Of the 62 members of the College of Cardinals, all but twelve attend…

The Papal conclave of 1846 elects Pope Pius IX, beginning the longest reign in the history of the papacy

1846 180 years ago

The first officially recorded, organized baseball game is played under Alexander Cartwright's rules on Hoboken, New Jers

The history of baseball in the United States dates to the 19th century, when boys and amateur enthusiasts played a baseball-like game by their own informal rules using homemade equ…

The first officially recorded, organized baseball game is played under Alexander Cartwright's rules on Hoboken, New Jers

1846 180 years ago

Jang Bahadur and his brothers massacre about 40 members of the Nepalese palace court.

Jung Bahadur Rana,, was the Prime Minister of Nepal and the 1st Maharaja of Lamjung and Kaski. He was born Bir Narsingh Kunwar (1817–1877). His mother, Ganesh Kumari, was the daugh…

Jang Bahadur and his brothers massacre about 40 members of the Nepalese palace court.

1846 180 years ago

Two French shepherd children, Mélanie Calvat and Maximin Giraud, experience a Marian apparition on a mountaintop near…

A Marian apparition is a reported supernatural appearance of the Virgin Mary, mother of Jesus. While sometimes described as a type of vision, apparitions are generally regarded as …

Two French shepherd children, Mélanie Calvat and Maximin Giraud, experience a Marian apparition on a mountaintop near…

1846 180 years ago

William Louis Marshall, American general and engineer (died 1920)

William Louis Marshall was an influential figure in the US Corps of Engineers.

William Louis Marshall, American general and engineer (died 1920)

1846 180 years ago

Antonio Abetti, Italian astronomer and academic (died 1928)

Antonio Abetti was an Italian astronomer.

Antonio Abetti, Italian astronomer and academic (died 1928)

1846 180 years ago

Marion Adams-Acton, Scottish-English author and playwright (died 1928)

Marion Jean Catherine Adams-Acton was a Scottish novelist who wrote under the pseudonym "Jeanie Hering".

Marion Adams-Acton, Scottish-English author and playwright (died 1928)

1846 180 years ago

Enrico Coleman, Italian painter (died 1911)

Enrico Coleman was an Italian painter of British nationality. He was the son of the English painter Charles Coleman and brother of the less well-known Italian painter Francesco Col…

Enrico Coleman, Italian painter (died 1911)

1846 180 years ago

Mexican–American War: General Zachary Taylor captures Monterrey.

The Mexican–American War, also known in the United States as the Mexican War and in Mexico as the United States intervention in Mexico, was an invasion of Mexico by the United Stat…

Mexican–American War: General Zachary Taylor captures Monterrey.

1846 180 years ago

Triton, the largest moon of the planet Neptune, is discovered by English astronomer William Lassell.

Triton is the largest natural satellite of the planet Neptune. It is the only moon of Neptune massive enough to be rounded under its own gravity and hosts a thin, hazy atmosphere. …

Triton, the largest moon of the planet Neptune, is discovered by English astronomer William Lassell.

1846 180 years ago

Samuel Johnson, Nigerian priest and historian (died 1901)

The Rev. Samuel Johnson was an Anglican priest, diplomat, and historian, as well as the great-grandson of Alaafin Abiodun, a powerful king of the Oyo Empire. He is most notable for…

Samuel Johnson, Nigerian priest and historian (died 1901)

1846 180 years ago

Charles Stewart Parnell, Irish politician (died 1891)

Charles Stewart Parnell was an Irish nationalist politician who served as a leader of the Home Rule League from 1880 to 1882, and then of the Irish Parliamentary Party from 1882 to…

Charles Stewart Parnell, Irish politician (died 1891)

1846 180 years ago

Achilles Alferaki, Russian composer and politician, Governor of Taganrog (died 1919)

Achilles Nikolayevich Alferaki was a Russian composer and politician of Greek descent. His brother was Sergei Alphéraky. He served as the mayor of Taganrog from 1880 to 1888.

Achilles Alferaki, Russian composer and politician, Governor of Taganrog (died 1919)

1846 180 years ago

Ángela Peralta, Mexican opera singer (died 1883)

Ángela Peralta was an operatic soprano of international fame and a leading figure in the operatic life of 19th-century Mexico. Called the "Mexican Nightingale" in Europe, she had a…

Ángela Peralta, Mexican opera singer (died 1883)

1846 180 years ago

Heinrich Rosenthal, Estonian physician and author (died 1916)

Heinrich Rosenthal was an activist of the Estonian national movement, doctor and author.

Heinrich Rosenthal, Estonian physician and author (died 1916)