First US wire suspension bridge for general traffic opens in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
First US wire suspension bridge for general traffic opens in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
First US wire suspension bridge for general traffic opens in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Events Before
China cedes Hong Kong Island to Britain during the First Opium War
The First Opium War, also known as the Anglo-Chinese War, was a series of military engagements fought between the British Empire and the Chinese Qing dynasty between 1839 and 1842.
Dutch ex-king Willem I marries Henriette d'Oultremont de Wégimont
Dutch ex-king Willem I marries Henriette d'Oultremont de Wégimont
First continuous filibuster in the US Senate begins, as the Democratic minority attempt to run out the clock on a bill t
First continuous filibuster in the US Senate begins, as the Democratic minority attempt to run out the clock on a bill to establish a national bank, lasts until March 11
First emigrant wagon train to reach California leaves Independence, Missouri, on a 1,730-mile journey over the Sierra Ne
First emigrant wagon train to reach California leaves Independence, Missouri, on a 1,730-mile journey over the Sierra Nevada [1]
The first wagon train arrives in California after a five-and-a-half-month, 1,730-mile journey over the Sierra Nevada fro
The first wagon train arrives in California after a five-and-a-half-month, 1,730-mile journey over the Sierra Nevada from Missouri [1]
Events After
Richard Wagner's opera "The Flying Dutchman" premieres in Dresden, Kingdom of Saxony
Richard Wagner's opera "The Flying Dutchman" premieres in Dresden, Kingdom of Saxony
Oldest continuous writer of insurance in America opens, the Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York (MONY)
The Mutual Life Insurance Company of New York (also known as Mutual of New York or MONY) was the oldest continuous writer of insurance policies in the United States.
American Frontiersman Kit Carson (33) weds Mexican socialite Josefa Jaramillo (14) at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, in T
American Frontiersman Kit Carson (33) weds Mexican socialite Josefa Jaramillo (14) at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, in Taos, Mexico
Samuel Gridley Howe, American physician and educator, marries Julia Ward, American poet and author
Samuel Gridley Howe, American physician and educator, marries Julia Ward, American poet and author
First wagon train departs Independence, Missouri, for Oregon with 700 to 1,000 migrants
The Oregon Trail was a 2,170-mile (3,490 km) east–west, large-wheeled wagon route and emigrant trail in North America that connected the Missouri River to valleys in Oregon Territory.
More from the 1840s
Richard Wagner's opera "The Flying Dutchman" premieres in Dresden, Kingdom of Saxony
Richard Wagner's opera "The Flying Dutchman" premieres in Dresden, Kingdom of Saxony
Explorer and medical missionary David Livingstone (31) weds Mary Moffat
David Livingstone (19 March 1813 – 1 May 1873) was a Scottish doctor, Congregationalist, pioneer Christian missionary with the London Missionary Society, and an explorer in Africa.
First recorded bowling match in the US takes place at Knickerbocker Alleys, New York
First recorded bowling match in the US takes place at Knickerbocker Alleys, New York
New York Illustrated News, the first illustrated weekly magazine in the US, publishes its first issue in New York
The Illustrated London News, founded by Herbert Ingram and first published on Saturday 14 May 1842, was the world's first illustrated weekly news magazine.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on January 2, 1842?
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