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First Pony Express rider reaches Sacramento, California

The Pony Express was an American express mail service that used relays of horse-mounted riders between Missouri and California.

The Pony Express was an American express mail service that used relays of horse-mounted riders between Missouri and California. It was operated by the Central Overland California and Pikes Peak Express Company.

During its 18 months of operation beginning in 1860, the Pony Express reduced the time for messages to travel between the east and west US coast to about 10 days. It became the west's most direct means of east–west communication before the first transcontinental telegraph was established (October 24, 1861), and was vital for tying the new state of California with the rest of the United States.

Despite a heavy subsidy, the Pony Express was not a financial success and went bankrupt in 18 months, when a faster telegraph service was established.

Historical Significance

The Pony Express was an American express mail service that used relays of horse-mounted riders between Missouri and California.

Events Before

  1. One of the oldest known copies of the Bible, "The Codex Sinaiticus" (Sinai Bible), is seen in Egypt by Constantin von Ti

    One of the oldest known copies of the Bible, "The Codex Sinaiticus" (Sinai Bible), is seen in Egypt by Constantin von Tischendorf, who takes the manuscript home

  2. Charles Gounod's opera "Faust" premieres at the Théâtre Lyrique in Paris, France

    The Théâtre Lyrique was one of four opera companies performing in Paris during the middle of the 19th century (the other three being the Opéra, the Opéra-Comique, and the Théâtre-Italien).

  3. Charles Dickens' "A Tale of Two Cities" is first published in the literary periodical "All the Year Round" in weekly ins

    Charles Dickens' "A Tale of Two Cities" is first published in the literary periodical "All the Year Round" in weekly installments until November 26

  4. US President Chester A. Arthur (30) weds Ellen Herndon (22) at Calvary Episcopal Church in NYC, New York

    US President Chester A. Arthur (30) weds Ellen Herndon (22) at Calvary Episcopal Church in NYC, New York

  5. English naturalist Charles Darwin publishes "On the Origin of Species," radically changing the view of evolution and lay

    English naturalist Charles Darwin publishes "On the Origin of Species," radically changing the view of evolution and laying the foundation for evolutionary biology

Events After

  1. Alexander II of Russia signs the Emancipation Manifesto, freeing serfs and granting them full rights as free citizens [O

    Alexander II of Russia signs the Emancipation Manifesto, freeing serfs and granting them full rights as free citizens [O.S. Feb 19]

  2. Abraham Lincoln is inaugurated as the 16th US President

    Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865) was the 16th president of the United States, serving from 1861 until his assassination in 1865.

  3. West African political leader El Hadj Umar Tall seizes the city of Ségou, destroying the Bambara Empire of Mali

    West African political leader El Hadj Umar Tall seizes the city of Ségou, destroying the Bambara Empire of Mali

  4. Italy is unified into a single kingdom under Victor Emmanuel II following the campaigns led by Giuseppe Garibaldi

    The Kingdom of Italy (Italian: Regno d'Italia) was a state that existed from 17 March 1861, when Victor Emmanuel II of Sardinia was proclaimed King of Italy, until 2 June 1946, when civil discontent…

  5. Fort Sumter in South Carolina is attacked by the Confederacy, beginning the American Civil War

    South Carolina was the first state to secede from the Union in December 1860, and was one of the founding member states of the Confederacy in February 1861. The bombardment of the beleaguered U.S.

More from the 1860s

Abraham Lincoln issues the Emancipation Proclamation to free enslaved people in Confederate states

Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809 – April 15, 1865) was the 16th president of the United States, serving from 1861 until his assassination in 1865.

Slavery is abolished in the Dutch East Indies for areas under direct rule

The Dutch East Indies, also known as the Netherlands East Indies, was a Dutch colony with territory mostly comprising the modern state of Indonesia, which declared independence on 17 August 1945.

birth

Alfred Stieglitz is born

Alfred Stieglitz, American photographer, known for american photographer, was born on 1864-01-01.

birth

Qi Baishi is born

Qi Baishi, Chinese painter, known for chinese painter, was born on 1864-01-01. Qi Baishi (1 January 1864 – 16 September 1957) was a Chinese painter, noted for the whimsical, often playful style of…

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on April 13, 1860?
The Pony Express was an American express mail service that used relays of horse-mounted riders between Missouri and California. It was operated by the Central Overland California and Pikes Peak Express Company. During its 18 months of operation beginning in 1860, the Pony Express reduced the time for messages to travel between the east and west US coast to about 10 days.
Why is First Pony Express rider reaches Sacramento, California significant?
The Pony Express was an American express mail service that used relays of horse-mounted riders between Missouri and California.

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April 13 in HistoryYear 1860