The first practical horse-drawn fire engine in the US enters service
The first practical horse-drawn fire engine in the US enters service
Year in History
Explore the major historical events, famous births, and notable deaths that occurred in the year 1853. This year saw 54 significant events. 4 notable figures were born. 2 notable figures passed away.
19th Century1850s
1853 Timeline
The first practical horse-drawn fire engine in the US enters service
The first practical horse-drawn fire engine in the US enters service
Giuseppe Verdi's opera "Il trovatore" (The Troubadour) premieres in Rome
Il trovatore ('The Troubadour') is an opera in four acts by Giuseppe Verdi to an Italian libretto largely written by Salvadore Cammarano, based on the Spanish play El trovador (1836) by Antonio...
Emperor and French President Napoleon III marries Eugenie de Montijo, Countess of Teba
Eugénie de Montijo was Empress of the French from her marriage to Napoleon III on 30 January 1853 until he was overthrown on 4 September 1870.
Piano company Steinway & Sons is founded by Heinrich Steinweg (later Henry Steinway) in New York City
Steinway & Sons, also known as Steinway ( ), is a German-American piano company, founded in 1853 in New York City by German piano builder Heinrich Engelhard Steinweg (later known as Henry E.
Giuseppe Verdi's opera "La Traviata" premieres at Teatro La Fenice in Venice, Italy
La traviata is an opera in three acts by Giuseppe Verdi set to an Italian libretto by Francesco Maria Piave.
Land surveyor, newspaper publisher and inventor Gail Borden patents his process for condensed milk
Gail Borden Jr. (November 9, 1801 – January 11, 1874) was an American inventor and manufacturing pioneer.
Dutch prince Henry marries princess Amalia of Saxony-Weimar
Dutch prince Henry marries princess Amalia of Saxony-Weimar
Prime Minister of Canada Alexander Mackenzie (31) weds second wife Jane Sym
Prime Minister of Canada Alexander Mackenzie (31) weds second wife Jane Sym
US President Franklin Pierce signs the Gadsden Purchase, buying 29,670 square-miles (76,800 square km) from Mexico for $
US President Franklin Pierce signs the Gadsden Purchase, buying 29,670 square-miles (76,800 square km) from Mexico for $10 million (now southern Arizona and New Mexico)
Commodore Matthew C. Perry sails his frigate Susquehanna into Tokyo Bay, opening Japan to Western influence and trade
Matthew Calbraith Perry (April 10, 1794 – March 4, 1858) was a United States Navy officer who commanded ships in several wars, including the War of 1812 and the Mexican–American War.
23rd US President Benjamin Harrison (20) weds music teacher Caroline Scott (21)
23rd US President Benjamin Harrison (20) weds music teacher Caroline Scott (21)
Solomon Northup, author of the memoir "Twelve Years a Slave, is freed after 7 illegal years in slavery with aid of Washi
Solomon Northup, author of the memoir "Twelve Years a Slave, is freed after 7 illegal years in slavery with aid of Washington Hunt, Governor of New York
First US bronze equestrian statue (of Andrew Jackson) is unveiled in Washington, D.C.
Lieutenant General George Washington is an 1860 equestrian statue of George Washington, at Washington Circle, at the edge of the George Washington University's campus, in Washington, D.C.
Charles Reade's play "Gold" premieres in London
Charles Reade's play "Gold" premieres in London
US whaling and sealing vessel the Levant captained by Mercator Cooper, makes the first known landing on mainland Antarct
US whaling and sealing vessel the Levant captained by Mercator Cooper, makes the first known landing on mainland Antarctica at Oates Coast, Victoria land
US authorizes minting of $3 gold pieces
The gold dollar or gold one-dollar piece is a gold coin that was struck as a regular issue by the United States Bureau of the Mint from 1849 to 1889.
Territory of Washington organized after separating from Oregon Territory
The Washington Territory was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from March 2, 1853, until November 11, 1889, when the territory was admitted to the Union as the...
Transcontinental railroad survey is authorized by US Congress
The Pacific Railroad Acts of 1862 were a series of acts of Congress that promoted the construction of a "transcontinental railroad" (the Pacific Railroad) in the United States through authorizing the...
Pope Pius IX recovers Catholic hierarchy in Netherlands
Pope Pius IX recovers Catholic hierarchy in Netherlands
Cincinnati becomes 1st US city to employ fulltime professional firefighters
Cincinnati becomes 1st US city to employ fulltime professional firefighters
Steamboat ferry 'Jenny Lind' boiler explosion kills at least 31 passengers in San Francisco Bay, California
The steamboat Jenny Lind was a ferry that exploded in San Francisco Bay on April 11, 1853 while on course to San Francisco from Alviso, California, killing many residents of Alviso and San Jose.
Dutch Protestant church petition King William III against re-establishment of Roman Catholic bishops in the Netherlands,
Dutch Protestant church petition King William III against re-establishment of Roman Catholic bishops in the Netherlands, he does so anyway
First passenger railway opens in India from Bori Bunder (Bombay) to Thane (34 km)
First passenger railway opens in India from Bori Bunder (Bombay) to Thane (34 km)
Johan Rudolf Thorbecke's government in the Netherlands resigns
Johan Rudolf Thorbecke's government in the Netherlands resigns
Netherlands Van Hall government forms
Netherlands Van Hall government forms
Dutch King William III disbands 2nd Chamber
Napoleon III (born Charles-Louis Napoléon Bonaparte; 20 April 1808 – 9 January 1873) was President of France from 1848 to 1852 and then Emperor of the French from 1852 until his deposition in 1870.
Comet C/1853 G1 (Schweizer) approaches within 0.0839 AUs of Earth
Comet C/1853 G1 (Schweizer) approaches within 0.0839 AUs of Earth
Amsterdam begins transferring drinking water out of the dunes, a major urban infrastructure development
Amsterdam begins transferring drinking water out of the dunes, a major urban infrastructure development
Franconi's Hippodrome opens in New York City
Franconi's Hippodrome opens in New York City
1st major US rail disaster kills 46 at Norwalk, Connecticut
1st major US rail disaster kills 46 at Norwalk, Connecticut
Thorbeckes liberals win 2nd-Parliamentary election
Thorbeckes liberals win 2nd-Parliamentary election
Buenos Aires gains independence from Argentina (reunited 1859)
Buenos Aires gains independence from Argentina (reunited 1859)
Elisha Kane's Arctic expedition leaves NY aboard Advance
Elisha Kane's Arctic expedition leaves NY aboard Advance
Envelope-folding machine patented by Russell Hawes in Worcester, Massachusetts [1]
Envelope-folding machine patented by Russell Hawes in Worcester, Massachusetts [1]
Commodore Matthew Perry and four US Navy vessels visit Japan to force them to open up to American trade and end their po
Commodore Matthew Perry and four US Navy vessels visit Japan to force them to open up to American trade and end their policy of isolation
Commodore Perry requests trade relations with Japan
Commodore Perry requests trade relations with Japan
Completion of Grand Trunk Line, trains begin running over 1st North American railroad between Portland, Maine and Montre
Completion of Grand Trunk Line, trains begin running over 1st North American railroad between Portland, Maine and Montreal
Joaquin Murrieta, the famous Californian bandit known as "Robin Hood of El Dorado," is killed by California Rangers
Joaquin Murrieta, the famous Californian bandit known as "Robin Hood of El Dorado," is killed by California Rangers
Russian fleet appears at Nagasaki, Japan
Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean off the northeast coast of the Asian mainland, it is bordered to the west by the Sea of Japan and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk...
First potato chips are prepared by chef George Crum at Moon's Lake House near Saratoga Springs, New York (popular legend
First potato chips are prepared by chef George Crum at Moon's Lake House near Saratoga Springs, New York (popular legend says he invents them, though earlier recipes exist)
First electric telegraph used between Merchant's Exchange, San Francisco, and Point Lobos, California
First electric telegraph used between Merchant's Exchange, San Francisco, and Point Lobos, California
Antoinette Blackwell is the first US woman to be ordained a minister
Antoinette Blackwell is the first US woman to be ordained a minister
Emigrant ship "Annie Jane" sinks off Scotland, drowning 348 people
Emigrant ship "Annie Jane" sinks off Scotland, drowning 348 people
Austrian law forbids Jews from owning land
Austrian law forbids Jews from owning land
Ottoman Empire declares war on the Russian Empire starting the Crimean War after various disagreements including Russian
Ottoman Empire declares war on the Russian Empire starting the Crimean War after various disagreements including Russian occupation of the Ottoman controlled Danubian Principalities
4th National Women's Rights Convention opens in Cleveland, Ohio
4th National Women's Rights Convention opens in Cleveland, Ohio
John Morrissey wins boxing title, when Yankee Sullivan leaves ring after 36th round to slug Morrissey's fans
John Morrissey wins boxing title, when Yankee Sullivan leaves ring after 36th round to slug Morrissey's fans
First flour mill in Hawaii begins operations
First flour mill in Hawaii begins operations
Maastricht-Aken railway in Netherlands opens
Maastricht-Aken railway in Netherlands opens
Origin of Carrington rotation numbers, a system for numbering the Sun's rotations, created by atronomer Richard Carringt
Origin of Carrington rotation numbers, a system for numbering the Sun's rotations, created by atronomer Richard Carrington
Street signs authorized at San Francisco intersections
Street signs authorized at San Francisco intersections
Olympia is selected as the capital of Washington Territory by Governor Isaac Stevens
Olympia is the capital city of the U.S. state of Washington. The population was 55,605 at the 2020 census, while the Olympia metropolitan statistical area has an estimated 300,000 people.
William Henry Fry's "Santa Claus: Christmas Symphony" premiere performance by conductor Louis Antoine Jullien's orchestr
William Henry Fry's "Santa Claus: Christmas Symphony" premiere performance by conductor Louis Antoine Jullien's orchestra at Metropolitan Hall, NYC [1]
A dinner party is held inside a life-sized hollow concrete model of an Iguanodon dinosaur, created by sculptor Benjamin
A dinner party is held inside a life-sized hollow concrete model of an Iguanodon dinosaur, created by sculptor Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins and biologist Richard Owen in South London
André Michelin is born
André Michelin, French industrialist, known for french industrialist, was born on 1853-01-16.
Vincent van Gogh is born
Vincent van Gogh, Dutch painter, known for dutch painter, was born on 1853-03-30. Vincent Willem van Gogh was a Dutch Post-Impressionist painter who is among the most famous and influential figures…
Fred Spofforth is born
Fred Spofforth, Australian athlete, known for australian cricketer, was born on 1853-09-09.
Alva Belmont is born
Alva Belmont, American suffragist, known for american suffragist, was born on 1853-01-17.
Christian Doppler dies
Christian Doppler, Austrian mathematician and physicist, known for austrian mathematician and physicist, died on 1853-03-17. Christian Andreas Doppler was an Austrian mathematician and physicist.
William Beaumont dies
William Beaumont physician, known for american physician, died on 1853-04-25. William Beaumont (November 21, 1785 – April 25, 1853) was a surgeon in the U.S.
Events
Giuseppe Verdi's opera "Il trovatore" (The Troubadour) premieres in Rome
Il trovatore ('The Troubadour') is an opera in four acts by Giuseppe Verdi to an Italian libretto largely written by Salvadore Cammarano, based on the Spanish play El trovador (1836) by Antonio...
Emperor and French President Napoleon III marries Eugenie de Montijo, Countess of Teba
Eugénie de Montijo was Empress of the French from her marriage to Napoleon III on 30 January 1853 until he was overthrown on 4 September 1870.
Piano company Steinway & Sons is founded by Heinrich Steinweg (later Henry Steinway) in New York City
Steinway & Sons, also known as Steinway ( ), is a German-American piano company, founded in 1853 in New York City by German piano builder Heinrich Engelhard Steinweg (later known as Henry E.
Giuseppe Verdi's opera "La Traviata" premieres at Teatro La Fenice in Venice, Italy
La traviata is an opera in three acts by Giuseppe Verdi set to an Italian libretto by Francesco Maria Piave.
Land surveyor, newspaper publisher and inventor Gail Borden patents his process for condensed milk
Gail Borden Jr. (November 9, 1801 – January 11, 1874) was an American inventor and manufacturing pioneer.
Dutch prince Henry marries princess Amalia of Saxony-Weimar
Dutch prince Henry marries princess Amalia of Saxony-Weimar
Prime Minister of Canada Alexander Mackenzie (31) weds second wife Jane Sym
Prime Minister of Canada Alexander Mackenzie (31) weds second wife Jane Sym
US President Franklin Pierce signs the Gadsden Purchase, buying 29,670 square-miles (76,800 square km) from Mexico for $
US President Franklin Pierce signs the Gadsden Purchase, buying 29,670 square-miles (76,800 square km) from Mexico for $10 million (now southern Arizona and New Mexico)
Commodore Matthew C. Perry sails his frigate Susquehanna into Tokyo Bay, opening Japan to Western influence and trade
Matthew Calbraith Perry (April 10, 1794 – March 4, 1858) was a United States Navy officer who commanded ships in several wars, including the War of 1812 and the Mexican–American War.
23rd US President Benjamin Harrison (20) weds music teacher Caroline Scott (21)
23rd US President Benjamin Harrison (20) weds music teacher Caroline Scott (21)
Solomon Northup, author of the memoir "Twelve Years a Slave, is freed after 7 illegal years in slavery with aid of Washi
Solomon Northup, author of the memoir "Twelve Years a Slave, is freed after 7 illegal years in slavery with aid of Washington Hunt, Governor of New York
First US bronze equestrian statue (of Andrew Jackson) is unveiled in Washington, D.C.
Lieutenant General George Washington is an 1860 equestrian statue of George Washington, at Washington Circle, at the edge of the George Washington University's campus, in Washington, D.C.
Charles Reade's play "Gold" premieres in London
Charles Reade's play "Gold" premieres in London
US whaling and sealing vessel the Levant captained by Mercator Cooper, makes the first known landing on mainland Antarct
US whaling and sealing vessel the Levant captained by Mercator Cooper, makes the first known landing on mainland Antarctica at Oates Coast, Victoria land
US authorizes minting of $3 gold pieces
The gold dollar or gold one-dollar piece is a gold coin that was struck as a regular issue by the United States Bureau of the Mint from 1849 to 1889.
Territory of Washington organized after separating from Oregon Territory
The Washington Territory was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from March 2, 1853, until November 11, 1889, when the territory was admitted to the Union as the...
Transcontinental railroad survey is authorized by US Congress
The Pacific Railroad Acts of 1862 were a series of acts of Congress that promoted the construction of a "transcontinental railroad" (the Pacific Railroad) in the United States through authorizing the...
Pope Pius IX recovers Catholic hierarchy in Netherlands
Pope Pius IX recovers Catholic hierarchy in Netherlands
Cincinnati becomes 1st US city to employ fulltime professional firefighters
Cincinnati becomes 1st US city to employ fulltime professional firefighters
Steamboat ferry 'Jenny Lind' boiler explosion kills at least 31 passengers in San Francisco Bay, California
The steamboat Jenny Lind was a ferry that exploded in San Francisco Bay on April 11, 1853 while on course to San Francisco from Alviso, California, killing many residents of Alviso and San Jose.
Dutch Protestant church petition King William III against re-establishment of Roman Catholic bishops in the Netherlands,
Dutch Protestant church petition King William III against re-establishment of Roman Catholic bishops in the Netherlands, he does so anyway
First passenger railway opens in India from Bori Bunder (Bombay) to Thane (34 km)
First passenger railway opens in India from Bori Bunder (Bombay) to Thane (34 km)
Johan Rudolf Thorbecke's government in the Netherlands resigns
Johan Rudolf Thorbecke's government in the Netherlands resigns
Netherlands Van Hall government forms
Netherlands Van Hall government forms
Dutch King William III disbands 2nd Chamber
Napoleon III (born Charles-Louis Napoléon Bonaparte; 20 April 1808 – 9 January 1873) was President of France from 1848 to 1852 and then Emperor of the French from 1852 until his deposition in 1870.
Comet C/1853 G1 (Schweizer) approaches within 0.0839 AUs of Earth
Comet C/1853 G1 (Schweizer) approaches within 0.0839 AUs of Earth
Amsterdam begins transferring drinking water out of the dunes, a major urban infrastructure development
Amsterdam begins transferring drinking water out of the dunes, a major urban infrastructure development
Franconi's Hippodrome opens in New York City
Franconi's Hippodrome opens in New York City
1st major US rail disaster kills 46 at Norwalk, Connecticut
1st major US rail disaster kills 46 at Norwalk, Connecticut
Thorbeckes liberals win 2nd-Parliamentary election
Thorbeckes liberals win 2nd-Parliamentary election
Buenos Aires gains independence from Argentina (reunited 1859)
Buenos Aires gains independence from Argentina (reunited 1859)
Elisha Kane's Arctic expedition leaves NY aboard Advance
Elisha Kane's Arctic expedition leaves NY aboard Advance
Envelope-folding machine patented by Russell Hawes in Worcester, Massachusetts [1]
Envelope-folding machine patented by Russell Hawes in Worcester, Massachusetts [1]
Commodore Matthew Perry and four US Navy vessels visit Japan to force them to open up to American trade and end their po
Commodore Matthew Perry and four US Navy vessels visit Japan to force them to open up to American trade and end their policy of isolation
Commodore Perry requests trade relations with Japan
Commodore Perry requests trade relations with Japan
Completion of Grand Trunk Line, trains begin running over 1st North American railroad between Portland, Maine and Montre
Completion of Grand Trunk Line, trains begin running over 1st North American railroad between Portland, Maine and Montreal
Joaquin Murrieta, the famous Californian bandit known as "Robin Hood of El Dorado," is killed by California Rangers
Joaquin Murrieta, the famous Californian bandit known as "Robin Hood of El Dorado," is killed by California Rangers
Russian fleet appears at Nagasaki, Japan
Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean off the northeast coast of the Asian mainland, it is bordered to the west by the Sea of Japan and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk...
First potato chips are prepared by chef George Crum at Moon's Lake House near Saratoga Springs, New York (popular legend
First potato chips are prepared by chef George Crum at Moon's Lake House near Saratoga Springs, New York (popular legend says he invents them, though earlier recipes exist)
First electric telegraph used between Merchant's Exchange, San Francisco, and Point Lobos, California
First electric telegraph used between Merchant's Exchange, San Francisco, and Point Lobos, California
Antoinette Blackwell is the first US woman to be ordained a minister
Antoinette Blackwell is the first US woman to be ordained a minister
Emigrant ship "Annie Jane" sinks off Scotland, drowning 348 people
Emigrant ship "Annie Jane" sinks off Scotland, drowning 348 people
Austrian law forbids Jews from owning land
Austrian law forbids Jews from owning land
Ottoman Empire declares war on the Russian Empire starting the Crimean War after various disagreements including Russian
Ottoman Empire declares war on the Russian Empire starting the Crimean War after various disagreements including Russian occupation of the Ottoman controlled Danubian Principalities
4th National Women's Rights Convention opens in Cleveland, Ohio
4th National Women's Rights Convention opens in Cleveland, Ohio
John Morrissey wins boxing title, when Yankee Sullivan leaves ring after 36th round to slug Morrissey's fans
John Morrissey wins boxing title, when Yankee Sullivan leaves ring after 36th round to slug Morrissey's fans
First flour mill in Hawaii begins operations
First flour mill in Hawaii begins operations
Maastricht-Aken railway in Netherlands opens
Maastricht-Aken railway in Netherlands opens
Origin of Carrington rotation numbers, a system for numbering the Sun's rotations, created by atronomer Richard Carringt
Origin of Carrington rotation numbers, a system for numbering the Sun's rotations, created by atronomer Richard Carrington
Street signs authorized at San Francisco intersections
Street signs authorized at San Francisco intersections
Olympia is selected as the capital of Washington Territory by Governor Isaac Stevens
Olympia is the capital city of the U.S. state of Washington. The population was 55,605 at the 2020 census, while the Olympia metropolitan statistical area has an estimated 300,000 people.
William Henry Fry's "Santa Claus: Christmas Symphony" premiere performance by conductor Louis Antoine Jullien's orchestr
William Henry Fry's "Santa Claus: Christmas Symphony" premiere performance by conductor Louis Antoine Jullien's orchestra at Metropolitan Hall, NYC [1]
A dinner party is held inside a life-sized hollow concrete model of an Iguanodon dinosaur, created by sculptor Benjamin
A dinner party is held inside a life-sized hollow concrete model of an Iguanodon dinosaur, created by sculptor Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins and biologist Richard Owen in South London
Famous Births
birth
André Michelin is born
André Michelin, French industrialist, known for french industrialist, was born on 1853-01-16.
birth
Vincent van Gogh is born
Vincent van Gogh, Dutch painter, known for dutch painter, was born on 1853-03-30. Vincent Willem van Gogh was a Dutch Post-Impressionist painter who is among the most famous and influential figures…
birth
Fred Spofforth is born
Fred Spofforth, Australian athlete, known for australian cricketer, was born on 1853-09-09.
birth
Alva Belmont is born
Alva Belmont, American suffragist, known for american suffragist, was born on 1853-01-17.
Notable Deaths
death
Christian Doppler dies
Christian Doppler, Austrian mathematician and physicist, known for austrian mathematician and physicist, died on 1853-03-17. Christian Andreas Doppler was an Austrian mathematician and physicist.
death
William Beaumont dies
William Beaumont physician, known for american physician, died on 1853-04-25. William Beaumont (November 21, 1785 – April 25, 1853) was a surgeon in the U.S.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened in 1853?
- In 1853, there were 54 significant historical events. Notable events include The first practical horse-drawn fire engine in the US enters service, Giuseppe Verdi's opera "Il trovatore" (The Troubadour) premieres in Rome, Emperor and French President Napoleon III marries Eugenie de Montijo, Countess of Teba.
- Who was born in 1853?
- 4 notable figures were born in 1853, including André Michelin is born, Vincent van Gogh is born, Fred Spofforth is born.
- Who died in 1853?
- 2 notable figures passed away in 1853, including Christian Doppler dies, William Beaumont dies.