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
Year in History
Explore the major historical events, famous births, and notable deaths that occurred in the year 1840. This year saw 42 significant events. 5 notable figures were born. 1 notable figure passed away.
19th Century1840s
1840 Timeline
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
American naval expedition under Charles Wilkes is first to identify Antarctica as a new continent
American naval expedition under Charles Wilkes is first to identify Antarctica as a new continent
French "The Three Musketeers" novelist Alexandre Dumas (37) weds French actress Ida Ferrier (29), until her death in 185
French "The Three Musketeers" novelist Alexandre Dumas (37) weds French actress Ida Ferrier (29), until her death in 1859
Treaty of Waitangi is signed between 40 Māori chiefs (later signed by 500) and representatives of the British crown in W
Treaty of Waitangi is signed between 40 Māori chiefs (later signed by 500) and representatives of the British crown in Waitangi, New Zealand and shares sovereignty between the two groups
British Queen Victoria (20) marries her cousin Albert (20) of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, later the Prince Consort at St Jame
British Queen Victoria (20) marries her cousin Albert (20) of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, later the Prince Consort at St James' Palace
American Charles Wilkes discovers the Shackleton Ice Shelf in Antarctica
Antarctica ( ) is Earth's southernmost and least-populated continent. Situated almost entirely south of the Antarctic Circle and surrounded by the Southern Ocean (also known as the Antarctic Ocean),...
"Penny Black," the world's first adhesive postage stamp is issued by the United Kingdom
The Penny Black was the world's first adhesive postage stamp used in a public postal system. It was first issued in the United Kingdom on 1 May 1840 but was not valid for use until 6 May.
American women's rights activist Elizabeth Cady Stanton (24) weds fellow American abolitionist Henry Brewster Stanton (3
American women's rights activist Elizabeth Cady Stanton (24) weds fellow American abolitionist Henry Brewster Stanton (34), until his death in 1887
American inventor Samuel Morse patents his telegraph
Samuel Finley Breese Morse (April 27, 1791 – April 2, 1872) was an American inventor and painter.
Union Act passed by the British Parliament, uniting Upper and Lower Canada
Union Act passed by the British Parliament, uniting Upper and Lower Canada
Publisher James Gordon Bennett (45) weds Henrietta Agnes Crean in NYC, New York
Publisher James Gordon Bennett (45) weds Henrietta Agnes Crean in NYC, New York
German pianist and composer Robert Schumann (30) marries German pianist and composer Clara Wieck (20), until his death i
German pianist and composer Robert Schumann (30) marries German pianist and composer Clara Wieck (20), until his death in 1856
Napoleon Bonaparte receives a French state funeral in Paris 19 years after his death
Napoleon Bonaparte receives a French state funeral in Paris 19 years after his death
First deep-sea sounding by James Clark Ross in the South Atlantic at 2,425 fathoms (14,450 feet)
First deep-sea sounding by James Clark Ross in the South Atlantic at 2,425 fathoms (14,450 feet)
Records show 95,820 licensed public houses in England on this date
Records show 95,820 licensed public houses in England on this date
The steamship Lexington burns and sinks four miles off the coast of Long Island with the loss of 139 lives
The steamship Lexington burns and sinks four miles off the coast of Long Island with the loss of 139 lives
The Electro-Magnet and Mechanics Intelligencer, the first US electrical journal, appears
The Electro-Magnet and Mechanics Intelligencer, the first US electrical journal, appears
Dumont d'Urville discovers Adélie Land in Antarctica
The Adélie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) is a species of penguin common along the entire coast of the Antarctic continent.
New Zealand Company settlers arrive aboard the Aurora at Te Whanganui a Tara, which becomes Port Nicholson, Wellington
The New Zealand Company, chartered in the United Kingdom, was a company that existed in the first half of the 19th century on a business model that was focused on the systematic colonisation of New...
Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, 1st in US, incorporated
Baltimore, also known as Baltimore City, is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Maryland. It is the 30th-most populous U.S.
Gaetano Donizetti's opéra comique "La Fille du Regiment" (The Daughter of the Regiment) premieres at the Salle de la Bou
Gaetano Donizetti's opéra comique "La Fille du Regiment" (The Daughter of the Regiment) premieres at the Salle de la Bourse in Paris, France
Housatonic Railroad opens, running from Bridgeport, Connecticut, north to the Massachusetts state line
The Housatonic Railroad ( HOOS-ə-TON-ik; reporting mark HRRC) is a Class III railroad operating in southwestern New England and eastern New York.
Adolphe Thiers becomes prime minister of France
Marie Joseph Louis Adolphe Thiers was a French statesman and historian who served as President of France from 1871 to 1873.
José Zorrilla's romantic drama "El Zapatero y el Rey" premieres in Madrid
José Zorrilla's romantic drama "El Zapatero y el Rey" premieres in Madrid
In a bloody battle Liberal general Francisco Morazán attempts to retake Guatemala City from Rafael Carrera but fails, ba
In a bloody battle Liberal general Francisco Morazán attempts to retake Guatemala City from Rafael Carrera but fails, barely escaping with his life
William Henry Lane ("Juda") perfects tap dance
William Henry Lane ("Juda") perfects tap dance
Tornado strikes Natchez, Mississippi, killing 317
Tornado strikes Natchez, Mississippi, killing 317
Alexander Wolcott patents Photographic Process
Alexander Wolcott patents Photographic Process
York Minster badly damaged by fire
York Minster badly damaged by fire
Captain William Hobson proclaims British sovereignty over New Zealand; the North Island by treaty and the South Island b
Captain William Hobson proclaims British sovereignty over New Zealand; the North Island by treaty and the South Island by 'discovery'
The transporting of British convicts to the New South Wales colony is abolished
The transporting of British convicts to the New South Wales colony is abolished
Meteorite hits Uden, Netherlands
Meteorite hits Uden, Netherlands
The Cunard Line's 700-ton wooden paddle steamer RMS Britannia departs from Liverpool bound for Halifax, Nova Scotia, on
The Cunard Line's 700-ton wooden paddle steamer RMS Britannia departs from Liverpool bound for Halifax, Nova Scotia, on the first transatlantic crossing with a scheduled end
Christian Hebbel's "Judith" premieres in Berlin
Christian Hebbel's "Judith" premieres in Berlin
Great Britain, Russia, Austria, and Prussia sign Quadruple Alliance
Great Britain, Russia, Austria, and Prussia sign Quadruple Alliance
American Society of Dental Surgeons is founded in New York
The American Society of Dental Surgeons (ASDS) was the first national dental organization formed in the United States of America.
Nine Jewish prisoners are released from Damascus jails
Nine Jewish prisoners are released from Damascus jails
Willem I resigns as king of the Netherlands
Willem I resigns as king of the Netherlands
"Ke Kumukānāwai a me nā Kānāwai o ko Hawaiʻi Pae ʻĀina, Honolulu, 1840," the first written Constitution of the Hawaiian
"Ke Kumukānāwai a me nā Kānāwai o ko Hawaiʻi Pae ʻĀina, Honolulu, 1840," the first written Constitution of the Hawaiian Kingdom, is enacted by King Kamehameha III and Kuhina Nui (Prime Minister) Kekāuluohi
Maronite leader Bashir II surrenders to the British forces and goes into exile in Malta
Maronite leader Bashir II surrenders to the British forces and goes into exile in Malta
New Zealand officially becomes a British colony
New Zealand is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island (Te Ika-a-Māui) and the South Island (Te Waipounamu)—and over 600 smaller...
Gaetano Donizetti's opera "La Favorita" premieres in Paris
Gaetano Donizetti's opera "La Favorita" premieres in Paris
Chief Joseph is born
Chief Joseph, American native american leader, known for native american leader, was born on 1840-03-03.
Benjamin Baker is born
Benjamin Baker is born
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky is born
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Russian musician, known for russian composer, was born on 1840-05-07. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (7 May 1840 – 6 November 1893) was a Russian composer of the Romantic period.
Thomas Nast is born
Thomas Nast, American cartoonist, known for american cartoonist, was born on 1840-09-27.
Émile Zola is born
Émile Zola, French writer, known for french writer, was born on 1840-04-02. Émile Édouard Charles Antoine Zola was a French novelist, journalist, playwright, the best-known practitioner of the…
Beau Brummell dies
Beau Brummell, British man of fashion, known for english man of fashion, died on 1840-03-30.
Events
American naval expedition under Charles Wilkes is first to identify Antarctica as a new continent
American naval expedition under Charles Wilkes is first to identify Antarctica as a new continent
French "The Three Musketeers" novelist Alexandre Dumas (37) weds French actress Ida Ferrier (29), until her death in 185
French "The Three Musketeers" novelist Alexandre Dumas (37) weds French actress Ida Ferrier (29), until her death in 1859
Treaty of Waitangi is signed between 40 Māori chiefs (later signed by 500) and representatives of the British crown in W
Treaty of Waitangi is signed between 40 Māori chiefs (later signed by 500) and representatives of the British crown in Waitangi, New Zealand and shares sovereignty between the two groups
British Queen Victoria (20) marries her cousin Albert (20) of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, later the Prince Consort at St Jame
British Queen Victoria (20) marries her cousin Albert (20) of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, later the Prince Consort at St James' Palace
American Charles Wilkes discovers the Shackleton Ice Shelf in Antarctica
Antarctica ( ) is Earth's southernmost and least-populated continent. Situated almost entirely south of the Antarctic Circle and surrounded by the Southern Ocean (also known as the Antarctic Ocean),...
"Penny Black," the world's first adhesive postage stamp is issued by the United Kingdom
The Penny Black was the world's first adhesive postage stamp used in a public postal system. It was first issued in the United Kingdom on 1 May 1840 but was not valid for use until 6 May.
American women's rights activist Elizabeth Cady Stanton (24) weds fellow American abolitionist Henry Brewster Stanton (3
American women's rights activist Elizabeth Cady Stanton (24) weds fellow American abolitionist Henry Brewster Stanton (34), until his death in 1887
American inventor Samuel Morse patents his telegraph
Samuel Finley Breese Morse (April 27, 1791 – April 2, 1872) was an American inventor and painter.
Union Act passed by the British Parliament, uniting Upper and Lower Canada
Union Act passed by the British Parliament, uniting Upper and Lower Canada
Publisher James Gordon Bennett (45) weds Henrietta Agnes Crean in NYC, New York
Publisher James Gordon Bennett (45) weds Henrietta Agnes Crean in NYC, New York
German pianist and composer Robert Schumann (30) marries German pianist and composer Clara Wieck (20), until his death i
German pianist and composer Robert Schumann (30) marries German pianist and composer Clara Wieck (20), until his death in 1856
Napoleon Bonaparte receives a French state funeral in Paris 19 years after his death
Napoleon Bonaparte receives a French state funeral in Paris 19 years after his death
First deep-sea sounding by James Clark Ross in the South Atlantic at 2,425 fathoms (14,450 feet)
First deep-sea sounding by James Clark Ross in the South Atlantic at 2,425 fathoms (14,450 feet)
Records show 95,820 licensed public houses in England on this date
Records show 95,820 licensed public houses in England on this date
The steamship Lexington burns and sinks four miles off the coast of Long Island with the loss of 139 lives
The steamship Lexington burns and sinks four miles off the coast of Long Island with the loss of 139 lives
The Electro-Magnet and Mechanics Intelligencer, the first US electrical journal, appears
The Electro-Magnet and Mechanics Intelligencer, the first US electrical journal, appears
Dumont d'Urville discovers Adélie Land in Antarctica
The Adélie penguin (Pygoscelis adeliae) is a species of penguin common along the entire coast of the Antarctic continent.
New Zealand Company settlers arrive aboard the Aurora at Te Whanganui a Tara, which becomes Port Nicholson, Wellington
The New Zealand Company, chartered in the United Kingdom, was a company that existed in the first half of the 19th century on a business model that was focused on the systematic colonisation of New...
Baltimore College of Dental Surgery, 1st in US, incorporated
Baltimore, also known as Baltimore City, is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Maryland. It is the 30th-most populous U.S.
Gaetano Donizetti's opéra comique "La Fille du Regiment" (The Daughter of the Regiment) premieres at the Salle de la Bou
Gaetano Donizetti's opéra comique "La Fille du Regiment" (The Daughter of the Regiment) premieres at the Salle de la Bourse in Paris, France
Housatonic Railroad opens, running from Bridgeport, Connecticut, north to the Massachusetts state line
The Housatonic Railroad ( HOOS-ə-TON-ik; reporting mark HRRC) is a Class III railroad operating in southwestern New England and eastern New York.
Adolphe Thiers becomes prime minister of France
Marie Joseph Louis Adolphe Thiers was a French statesman and historian who served as President of France from 1871 to 1873.
José Zorrilla's romantic drama "El Zapatero y el Rey" premieres in Madrid
José Zorrilla's romantic drama "El Zapatero y el Rey" premieres in Madrid
In a bloody battle Liberal general Francisco Morazán attempts to retake Guatemala City from Rafael Carrera but fails, ba
In a bloody battle Liberal general Francisco Morazán attempts to retake Guatemala City from Rafael Carrera but fails, barely escaping with his life
William Henry Lane ("Juda") perfects tap dance
William Henry Lane ("Juda") perfects tap dance
Tornado strikes Natchez, Mississippi, killing 317
Tornado strikes Natchez, Mississippi, killing 317
Alexander Wolcott patents Photographic Process
Alexander Wolcott patents Photographic Process
York Minster badly damaged by fire
York Minster badly damaged by fire
Captain William Hobson proclaims British sovereignty over New Zealand; the North Island by treaty and the South Island b
Captain William Hobson proclaims British sovereignty over New Zealand; the North Island by treaty and the South Island by 'discovery'
The transporting of British convicts to the New South Wales colony is abolished
The transporting of British convicts to the New South Wales colony is abolished
Meteorite hits Uden, Netherlands
Meteorite hits Uden, Netherlands
The Cunard Line's 700-ton wooden paddle steamer RMS Britannia departs from Liverpool bound for Halifax, Nova Scotia, on
The Cunard Line's 700-ton wooden paddle steamer RMS Britannia departs from Liverpool bound for Halifax, Nova Scotia, on the first transatlantic crossing with a scheduled end
Christian Hebbel's "Judith" premieres in Berlin
Christian Hebbel's "Judith" premieres in Berlin
Great Britain, Russia, Austria, and Prussia sign Quadruple Alliance
Great Britain, Russia, Austria, and Prussia sign Quadruple Alliance
American Society of Dental Surgeons is founded in New York
The American Society of Dental Surgeons (ASDS) was the first national dental organization formed in the United States of America.
Nine Jewish prisoners are released from Damascus jails
Nine Jewish prisoners are released from Damascus jails
Willem I resigns as king of the Netherlands
Willem I resigns as king of the Netherlands
"Ke Kumukānāwai a me nā Kānāwai o ko Hawaiʻi Pae ʻĀina, Honolulu, 1840," the first written Constitution of the Hawaiian
"Ke Kumukānāwai a me nā Kānāwai o ko Hawaiʻi Pae ʻĀina, Honolulu, 1840," the first written Constitution of the Hawaiian Kingdom, is enacted by King Kamehameha III and Kuhina Nui (Prime Minister) Kekāuluohi
Maronite leader Bashir II surrenders to the British forces and goes into exile in Malta
Maronite leader Bashir II surrenders to the British forces and goes into exile in Malta
New Zealand officially becomes a British colony
New Zealand is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island (Te Ika-a-Māui) and the South Island (Te Waipounamu)—and over 600 smaller...
Gaetano Donizetti's opera "La Favorita" premieres in Paris
Gaetano Donizetti's opera "La Favorita" premieres in Paris
Famous Births
birth
Chief Joseph is born
Chief Joseph, American native american leader, known for native american leader, was born on 1840-03-03.
birth
Benjamin Baker is born
Benjamin Baker is born
birth
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky is born
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, Russian musician, known for russian composer, was born on 1840-05-07. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky (7 May 1840 – 6 November 1893) was a Russian composer of the Romantic period.
birth
Thomas Nast is born
Thomas Nast, American cartoonist, known for american cartoonist, was born on 1840-09-27.
birth
Émile Zola is born
Émile Zola, French writer, known for french writer, was born on 1840-04-02. Émile Édouard Charles Antoine Zola was a French novelist, journalist, playwright, the best-known practitioner of the…
Notable Deaths
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened in 1840?
- In 1840, there were 42 significant historical events. Notable events include First recorded bowling match in the US takes place at Knickerbocker Alleys, New York, American naval expedition under Charles Wilkes is first to identify Antarctica as a new continent, French "The Three Musketeers" novelist Alexandre Dumas (37) weds French actress Ida Ferrier (29), until her death in 185.
- Who was born in 1840?
- 5 notable figures were born in 1840, including Chief Joseph is born, Benjamin Baker is born, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky is born.
- Who died in 1840?
- 1 notable figure passed away in 1840, including Beau Brummell dies.