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.
Year in History
Explore the major historical events, famous births, and notable deaths that occurred in the year 1841. This year saw 36 significant events. 8 notable figures were born.
19th Century1840s
1841 Timeline
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]
James Clark Ross (UK) is 1st to enter pack ice near Ross Ice Shelf
James Clark Ross (UK) is 1st to enter pack ice near Ross Ice Shelf
Hong Kong proclaimed a sovereign territory of Britain
Hong Kong was under British rule from 1841 to 1997, except for a brief period of Japanese occupation during the Second World War from 1941 to 1945.
A fire destroys two-thirds of Mayagüez, Puerto Rico.
Dorado is a town and municipality on the northern coast of Puerto Rico, 15 miles (24 km) west of San Juan and is located in the northern region of the island, bordering the Atlantic Ocean, north of...
US Supreme Court rules the kidnapped slaves from the Spanish schooner the Amistad are free
Amistad is a 1997 American historical drama film directed by Steven Spielberg, based on the events in 1839 aboard the Spanish slave ship La Amistad, during which Mende tribesmen abducted for the...
A method for alkali starch extraction is patented in the US by Orlando Jones, which is later applied to corn (cornstarch
A method for alkali starch extraction is patented in the US by Orlando Jones, which is later applied to corn (cornstarch)
First US steam fire engine is tested in New York City
First US steam fire engine is tested in New York City
Cornerstone laid for 2nd Mormon temple, Nauvoo, Illinois
Cornerstone laid for 2nd Mormon temple, Nauvoo, Illinois
New York Tribune begins publishing under editor Horace Greeley
New York Tribune begins publishing under editor Horace Greeley
Inventor and engineer Squire Temple of Utica, New York, granted a patent for an iron truss bridge [1]
Inventor and engineer Squire Temple of Utica, New York, granted a patent for an iron truss bridge [1]
"Bombay Gazette" begins publishing on silk
"Bombay Gazette" begins publishing on silk
Imakita Kosen, 1st Zen teacher of D.T. Suzuki, found the awakening
Imakita Kosen, 1st Zen teacher of D.T. Suzuki, found the awakening
New Zealand is proclaimed a colony independent of New South Wales
The Colony of New South Wales was a colony of the British Empire from 1788 to 1901, when it became a State of the Commonwealth of Australia.
First Canadian Parliament opens in Kingston, Ontario
Kingston is a city in Ontario, Canada, on the northeastern end of Lake Ontario. It is at the beginning of the St.
Fordham University (then St John's College), opens in the Bronx
The Fordham–St. John's rivalry is an inter-conference rivalry between the Fordham Rams and the St. John's Red Storm who are both located in New York City: Fordham playing in The Bronx and St.
The Théâtre de l'Académie Royale de Musique in Paris premieres the ballet Giselle
Giselle, originally titled Giselle, ou les Wilis, is a romantic ballet in two acts with music by Adolphe Adam.
John Couch Adams decides to determine position of an unknown planet by irregularities it causes in the motion of Uranus
John Couch Adams decides to determine position of an unknown planet by irregularities it causes in the motion of Uranus
Thomas Cook opens first travel agency
Thomas Cook & Son, originally simply Thomas Cook, was a British travel company that existed from 1841 to 2001. It arranged transport, tours and holidays worldwide.
British humorous and satirical magazine "Punch" is first published; it closes in 2002
Punch, or The London Charivari was a British weekly magazine of humour and satire established in 1841 by Henry Mayhew and wood-engraver Ebenezer Landells.
Pedro II, aged 15-years old, formally crowned Emperor of Brazil after a 10-year regency
The early life of Pedro II of Brazil covers the period from his birth on 2 December 1825 until 18 July 1841, when he was crowned and consecrated.
Erie boat in Buffalo, NY, catches fire, killing 242 people
Erie boat in Buffalo, NY, catches fire, killing 242 people
John Hampton patents the Venetian blind
John Hampton patents the Venetian blind
Great Lakes steamer "Erie" sinks off Silver Creek, NY, killing 300
Great Lakes steamer "Erie" sinks off Silver Creek, NY, killing 300
Samuel Slocum patents the stapler
Samuel Slocum (March 4, 1792 – January 26, 1861) was an American inventor from Poughkeepsie, New York. He was born in Jamestown, Rhode Island, son of Peleg Slocum and Anne Dyer Slocum, and raised in...
Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, is chartered
Queen's University at Kingston, commonly known as Queen's University or simply Queen's, is a public research university in Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
Akbar Khan successfully revolts against Shah Shuja in Afghanistan
Akbar Khan successfully revolts against Shah Shuja in Afghanistan
James Braid first sees a demonstration of animal magnetism, which leads to his study of the subject he eventually calls
James Braid first sees a demonstration of animal magnetism, which leads to his study of the subject he eventually calls hypnosis
Life preservers made of cork are patented by Napoleon Guerin (NYC)
Life preservers made of cork are patented by Napoleon Guerin (NYC)
35 survivors of the mutiny on the slave ship Amistad return to Africa
United States v. Schooner Amistad, 40 U.S. (15 Pet.) 518 (1841), was a United States Supreme Court case resulting from the rebellion of Africans on board the Spanish schooner La Amistad in 1839.
Robert Schumann's Symphony No. 4 in D minor premieres
Robert Schumann was a German composer, pianist, and music critic of the early Romantic era.
King and Grand Duke Willem II installs Order of Eikenkroon
King and Grand Duke Willem II installs Order of Eikenkroon
Alabama becomes 1st state to license dental surgeons
Alabama becomes 1st state to license dental surgeons
Berthe Morisot is born
Berthe Morisot, French artist, known for french artist, was born on 1841-01-14. Berthe Marie Pauline Morisot was a French painter, printmaker and a member of the circle of painters in Paris who…
Henry Morton Stanley is born
Henry Morton Stanley, American welsh journalist and explorer, known for welsh journalist and explorer, was born on 1841-01-28.
John Philip Holland is born
John Philip Holland, Irish irish-american marine engineer, known for irish-american marine engineer, was born on 1841-02-24.
Pierre-Auguste Renoir is born
Pierre-Auguste Renoir, French painter and sculptor, known for french painter and sculptor, was born on 1841-02-25.
Antonín Dvořák is born
Antonín Dvořák, Czech musician, known for czech composer, was born on 1841-09-08. Antonín Leopold Dvořák (d (ə-)VOR-zha (h)k; Czech: [ˈantoɲiːn ˈlɛopold ˈdvor̝aːk] ; 8 September 1841 – 1 May 1904)…
Georges Clémenceau is born
Georges Clémenceau is born
Itō Hirobumi is born
Itō Hirobumi, Japanese statesman, known for japanese statesman, was born on 1841-10-16.
Edward VII is born
Edward VII is born
Events
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]
James Clark Ross (UK) is 1st to enter pack ice near Ross Ice Shelf
James Clark Ross (UK) is 1st to enter pack ice near Ross Ice Shelf
Hong Kong proclaimed a sovereign territory of Britain
Hong Kong was under British rule from 1841 to 1997, except for a brief period of Japanese occupation during the Second World War from 1941 to 1945.
A fire destroys two-thirds of Mayagüez, Puerto Rico.
Dorado is a town and municipality on the northern coast of Puerto Rico, 15 miles (24 km) west of San Juan and is located in the northern region of the island, bordering the Atlantic Ocean, north of...
US Supreme Court rules the kidnapped slaves from the Spanish schooner the Amistad are free
Amistad is a 1997 American historical drama film directed by Steven Spielberg, based on the events in 1839 aboard the Spanish slave ship La Amistad, during which Mende tribesmen abducted for the...
A method for alkali starch extraction is patented in the US by Orlando Jones, which is later applied to corn (cornstarch
A method for alkali starch extraction is patented in the US by Orlando Jones, which is later applied to corn (cornstarch)
First US steam fire engine is tested in New York City
First US steam fire engine is tested in New York City
Cornerstone laid for 2nd Mormon temple, Nauvoo, Illinois
Cornerstone laid for 2nd Mormon temple, Nauvoo, Illinois
New York Tribune begins publishing under editor Horace Greeley
New York Tribune begins publishing under editor Horace Greeley
Inventor and engineer Squire Temple of Utica, New York, granted a patent for an iron truss bridge [1]
Inventor and engineer Squire Temple of Utica, New York, granted a patent for an iron truss bridge [1]
"Bombay Gazette" begins publishing on silk
"Bombay Gazette" begins publishing on silk
Imakita Kosen, 1st Zen teacher of D.T. Suzuki, found the awakening
Imakita Kosen, 1st Zen teacher of D.T. Suzuki, found the awakening
New Zealand is proclaimed a colony independent of New South Wales
The Colony of New South Wales was a colony of the British Empire from 1788 to 1901, when it became a State of the Commonwealth of Australia.
First Canadian Parliament opens in Kingston, Ontario
Kingston is a city in Ontario, Canada, on the northeastern end of Lake Ontario. It is at the beginning of the St.
Fordham University (then St John's College), opens in the Bronx
The Fordham–St. John's rivalry is an inter-conference rivalry between the Fordham Rams and the St. John's Red Storm who are both located in New York City: Fordham playing in The Bronx and St.
The Théâtre de l'Académie Royale de Musique in Paris premieres the ballet Giselle
Giselle, originally titled Giselle, ou les Wilis, is a romantic ballet in two acts with music by Adolphe Adam.
John Couch Adams decides to determine position of an unknown planet by irregularities it causes in the motion of Uranus
John Couch Adams decides to determine position of an unknown planet by irregularities it causes in the motion of Uranus
Thomas Cook opens first travel agency
Thomas Cook & Son, originally simply Thomas Cook, was a British travel company that existed from 1841 to 2001. It arranged transport, tours and holidays worldwide.
British humorous and satirical magazine "Punch" is first published; it closes in 2002
Punch, or The London Charivari was a British weekly magazine of humour and satire established in 1841 by Henry Mayhew and wood-engraver Ebenezer Landells.
Pedro II, aged 15-years old, formally crowned Emperor of Brazil after a 10-year regency
The early life of Pedro II of Brazil covers the period from his birth on 2 December 1825 until 18 July 1841, when he was crowned and consecrated.
Erie boat in Buffalo, NY, catches fire, killing 242 people
Erie boat in Buffalo, NY, catches fire, killing 242 people
John Hampton patents the Venetian blind
John Hampton patents the Venetian blind
Great Lakes steamer "Erie" sinks off Silver Creek, NY, killing 300
Great Lakes steamer "Erie" sinks off Silver Creek, NY, killing 300
Samuel Slocum patents the stapler
Samuel Slocum (March 4, 1792 – January 26, 1861) was an American inventor from Poughkeepsie, New York. He was born in Jamestown, Rhode Island, son of Peleg Slocum and Anne Dyer Slocum, and raised in...
Queen's University in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, is chartered
Queen's University at Kingston, commonly known as Queen's University or simply Queen's, is a public research university in Kingston, Ontario, Canada.
Akbar Khan successfully revolts against Shah Shuja in Afghanistan
Akbar Khan successfully revolts against Shah Shuja in Afghanistan
James Braid first sees a demonstration of animal magnetism, which leads to his study of the subject he eventually calls
James Braid first sees a demonstration of animal magnetism, which leads to his study of the subject he eventually calls hypnosis
Life preservers made of cork are patented by Napoleon Guerin (NYC)
Life preservers made of cork are patented by Napoleon Guerin (NYC)
35 survivors of the mutiny on the slave ship Amistad return to Africa
United States v. Schooner Amistad, 40 U.S. (15 Pet.) 518 (1841), was a United States Supreme Court case resulting from the rebellion of Africans on board the Spanish schooner La Amistad in 1839.
Robert Schumann's Symphony No. 4 in D minor premieres
Robert Schumann was a German composer, pianist, and music critic of the early Romantic era.
King and Grand Duke Willem II installs Order of Eikenkroon
King and Grand Duke Willem II installs Order of Eikenkroon
Alabama becomes 1st state to license dental surgeons
Alabama becomes 1st state to license dental surgeons
Famous Births
birth
Berthe Morisot is born
Berthe Morisot, French artist, known for french artist, was born on 1841-01-14. Berthe Marie Pauline Morisot was a French painter, printmaker and a member of the circle of painters in Paris who…
birth
Henry Morton Stanley is born
Henry Morton Stanley, American welsh journalist and explorer, known for welsh journalist and explorer, was born on 1841-01-28.
birth
John Philip Holland is born
John Philip Holland, Irish irish-american marine engineer, known for irish-american marine engineer, was born on 1841-02-24.
birth
Pierre-Auguste Renoir is born
Pierre-Auguste Renoir, French painter and sculptor, known for french painter and sculptor, was born on 1841-02-25.
birth
Antonín Dvořák is born
Antonín Dvořák, Czech musician, known for czech composer, was born on 1841-09-08. Antonín Leopold Dvořák (d (ə-)VOR-zha (h)k; Czech: [ˈantoɲiːn ˈlɛopold ˈdvor̝aːk] ; 8 September 1841 – 1 May 1904)…
birth
Georges Clémenceau is born
Georges Clémenceau is born
birth
Itō Hirobumi is born
Itō Hirobumi, Japanese statesman, known for japanese statesman, was born on 1841-10-16.
birth
Edward VII is born
Edward VII is born
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened in 1841?
- In 1841, there were 36 significant historical events. Notable events include China cedes Hong Kong Island to Britain during the First Opium War, 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.
- Who was born in 1841?
- 8 notable figures were born in 1841, including Berthe Morisot is born, Henry Morton Stanley is born, John Philip Holland is born.