1.
1845
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As of the start of 1845, the Gregorian calendar was 12 days ahead of the Julian calendar, which remained in localized use until 1923. January 10 – Elizabeth Barrett receives a letter from the younger poet Robert Browning on May 20 they meet for the first time in London. She begins writing her Sonnets from the Portuguese, january 23 – The United States Congress establishes a uniform date for federal elections, which will henceforth be held on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November. January 29 – The Raven by Edgar Allan Poe is published for the first time, february 1 – Anson Jones, President of the Republic of Texas, signs the charter officially creating Baylor University. Baylor is the oldest university in the State of Texas operating under its original name, february 7 – In the British Museum, a drunken visitor smashes the Portland Vase, which takes months to repair. February 28 – The United States Congress approves the annexation of Texas, march 1 – President John Tyler signs a bill authorizing the United States to annex the Republic of Texas. March 3 Florida is admitted as the 27th U. S. state, the United States Congress passes legislation overriding a presidential veto for the first time. March 4 – James K. Polk is sworn in as President of the United States, march 11 – New Zealand Wars open with the Flagstaff War, Chiefs Kawiti and Hone Heke lead 700 Māoris in the burning of the British colonial settlement of Kororāreka. March 13 – The Violin Concerto by Felix Mendelssohn premieres in Leipzig, march 17 – Stephen Perry patents the rubber band in the United Kingdom. March 30 – Due to different transition dates to the Gregorian calendar, april 10 – A great fire destroys much of the American city of Pittsburgh. April 20 – Ramón Castilla becomes president of Peru, may – Frederick Douglasss Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, an American Slave written by himself is published by the Boston Anti-Slavery Society. May 2 – A suspension bridge collapses in Great Yarmouth, England, leaving around 80 dead, may 19 – HMS Erebus and HMS Terror with 134 men, comprising Sir John Franklins expedition to find the Northwest Passage, sail from Greenhithe on the Thames. They will last be seen in August entering Baffin Bay, may 30 – Fatel Razack is the first ship to bring indentured labourers from India to Trinidad and Tobago, landing in the Gulf of Paria with 227 immigrants. July 20 – Charles Sturt enters the Simpson Desert in central Australia, july 26–August 10 – Isambard Kingdom Brunels iron steamship Great Britain makes the transatlantic crossing from Liverpool to New York, the first screw propelled vessel to make the passage. July 28 – HMS Terror and HMS Erebus of the Franklin Expedition go missing in the Davis Strait west of Greenland while searching for the Northwest Passage. August 9 – The Aberdeen Act is passed by the Parliament of the United Kingdom empowering the British Royal Navy to search Brazilian ships as part of the abolition of the trade from Africa. August 10 – The French Consul in Zanzibar receives the letter sent by Eugène Maizan during his expedition into tropical Africa. August 28 – The journal Scientific American begins publication, september 9 – Potato blight breaks out in Ireland, beginning of the Great Famine
2.
United States
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Forty-eight of the fifty states and the federal district are contiguous and located in North America between Canada and Mexico. The state of Alaska is in the northwest corner of North America, bordered by Canada to the east, the state of Hawaii is an archipelago in the mid-Pacific Ocean. The U. S. territories are scattered about the Pacific Ocean, the geography, climate and wildlife of the country are extremely diverse. At 3.8 million square miles and with over 324 million people, the United States is the worlds third- or fourth-largest country by area, third-largest by land area. It is one of the worlds most ethnically diverse and multicultural nations, paleo-Indians migrated from Asia to the North American mainland at least 15,000 years ago. European colonization began in the 16th century, the United States emerged from 13 British colonies along the East Coast. Numerous disputes between Great Britain and the following the Seven Years War led to the American Revolution. On July 4,1776, during the course of the American Revolutionary War, the war ended in 1783 with recognition of the independence of the United States by Great Britain, representing the first successful war of independence against a European power. The current constitution was adopted in 1788, after the Articles of Confederation, the first ten amendments, collectively named the Bill of Rights, were ratified in 1791 and designed to guarantee many fundamental civil liberties. During the second half of the 19th century, the American Civil War led to the end of slavery in the country. By the end of century, the United States extended into the Pacific Ocean. The Spanish–American War and World War I confirmed the status as a global military power. The end of the Cold War and the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991 left the United States as the sole superpower. The U. S. is a member of the United Nations, World Bank, International Monetary Fund, Organization of American States. The United States is a developed country, with the worlds largest economy by nominal GDP. It ranks highly in several measures of performance, including average wage, human development, per capita GDP. While the U. S. economy is considered post-industrial, characterized by the dominance of services and knowledge economy, the United States is a prominent political and cultural force internationally, and a leader in scientific research and technological innovations. In 1507, the German cartographer Martin Waldseemüller produced a map on which he named the lands of the Western Hemisphere America after the Italian explorer and cartographer Amerigo Vespucci
3.
1843 in the United States
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Events from the year 1843 in the United States. President, John Tyler Vice President, vacant Chief Justice, Roger B, taney Speaker of the House of Representatives, John White, John Winston Jones Congress, 27th, 28th January – Edgar Allan Poes short story The Tell-Tale Heart is first published. February 6 – The Virginia Minstrels perform the first minstrel show, March 21 – The world does not end, contrary to the first prediction by American preacher William Miller. April 30–May 16 – Naval Battle of Campeche, Naval Battle between the Mexican Navy versus the Texas Navy and the Yucatán Navy, the battle features the most advanced warships of its day. May 22 – The first major wagon train sfor the American Northwest sets out one thousand pioneers from Elm Grove. July 1 – Ulysses S. Grant graduates from West Point 21st from a class of 39, July 12 – Origin of Latter Day Saint polygamy, Joseph Smith, founder of the Latter Day Saint movement, proclaims a revelation recommending polygamy. August 19 – Edgar Allan Poes short story The Black Cat is first published, august 23 – Mexican President Antonio López de Santa Anna announces that the annexation of Texas by the United States would be considered an act of war by Mexico. October 13 – In New York City, Henry Jones and 11 others found Bnai Brith, november 28 – Ka La Kuokoa, The Kingdom of Hawaii is officially recognized by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and July Monarchy France as an independent nation. Saint Louis University School of Law becomes the first law school west of the Mississippi River Abbeville, Louisiana is founded by descendants of Acadians from Nova Scotia. Senator from Minnesota from 1895 to 1923 February 3 – William Cornelius Van Horne, North American railway magnate February 27 – Thomas Lowry, lawyer and businessman March 8 – Arthur Brown, U. S. Senator from Utah from 1896 to 1897 March 17 – Henry Ware Lawton, general March 23 – Joseph F. Johnston, senator from Minnesota from 1883 to 1889 July 15 – Alfred W. Benson, U. S. Senator from Kansas from 1906 to 1907 July 19 – Francis J. Higginson, senator from Illinois from 1841 to 1843 March 31 – George A. Waggaman, U. S. Senator from Louisiana from 1831 to 1835 April 17 – Samuel Morey, inventor April 25 – John McCracken Robinson, U. S
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1844 in the United States
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Events from the year 1844 in the United States. President, John Tyler Vice President, vacant Chief Justice, Roger B, taney Speaker of the House of Representatives, John Winston Jones Congress, 28th January 15 – The University of Notre Dame receives its charter from Indiana. March 12 – The Columbus and Xenia Railroad, the first railroad that is planned to be built in Ohio, is chartered. May 24 – The first electrical telegram is sent by Samuel F. B. Morse from the U. S. Capitol in Washington, D. C. to the B&O Railroad outer depot in Baltimore, Maryland, saying What hath God wrought. June 22 – Influential North American fraternity Delta Kappa Epsilon is founded at Yale University, july 3 – The United States signs The Sino-American Treaty of Wanghia with the Chinese Government. October 22 – The Great Disappointment, Millerites find that the Second Coming of Jesus does not occur as predicted by preacher William Miller, december 4 – U. S. presidential election,1844, James K. Polk defeats Henry Clay. The first ever cricket match is played in New York City between Canada and the United States. Seward August 1 – Levi Ankeny, United States Senator from Washington from 1903 till 1909, june 3 – Garret Hobart, 24th Vice President of the United States from 1897 till 1899. January 13 – Alexander Porter, United States Senator from Louisiana from 1833 till 1837, april 21 – Henry Baldwin, Associate Justice of the US Supreme Court from 1830 till 1844. June 27 – Joseph Smith Jr. religious leader and founder of Mormonism, media related to 1844 in the United States at Wikimedia Commons
5.
1846 in the United States
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Events from the year 1846 in the United States. In this year, the United States declares war on Mexico, President, James K. Polk Vice President, George M. Dallas Chief Justice, Roger B. January 31 – The City of Milwaukee is incorporated in Wisconsin, merging Juneautown, Kilbourntown, solomon Juneau is elected first mayor. February 10 – Many Mormons begin their migration west from Nauvoo, Illinois to the Great Salt Lake, february 19 – In Austin, Texas, the newly formed Texas state government is officially installed. February 26 – The Liberty Bell is cracked while being rung for George Washingtons birthday, april 25 – Mexican-American War, Open conflict begins over border disputes of Texas boundaries. May 8 – Mexican-American War – Battle of Palo Alto, Zachary Taylor defeats a Mexican force north of the Rio Grande at Palo Alto, may 13 – Mexican-American War, The United States declares war on Mexico. June 10 – Mexican-American War, The California Republic declares independence from Mexico, june 14 – Bear Flag Revolt, American settlers in Sonoma, California start a rebellion against Mexico and proclaim the California Republic. June 15 – The Oregon Treaty establishes the 49th parallel as the border between the United States and Canada, from the Rocky Mountains to the Strait of Juan de Fuca, july 7 – Battle of Monterey, Acting on instructions from Washington, D. C. Commodore John Drake Sloat orders his troops to occupy Monterey and Yerba Buena thus beginning the United States annexation of California, august 10 – Establishment of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D. C. November – The Donner Party becomes snowbound, december 28 – Iowa is admitted as the 29th U. S. state. The portion of the District of Columbia that was ceded by Virginia in 1790 is re-ceded to Virginia, elias Howe patents the sewing machine. Mexican–American War March 25 – William Lee D. Ewing, United States Senator from Illinois in 1834, september 5 – James Alexander, Jr. United States Representative from Ohio from 1837 till 1839. September 15 – Samuel A. Foote, 28th Governor of Connecticut from 1834 till 1835, United States Senator from Connecticut from 1827 till 1833. December 29 – Alexander Barrow, United States Senator from Louisiana from 1841 till 1846, with an introductory essay by Catherine Drinker Bowen. Media related to 1846 in the United States at Wikimedia Commons Smithsonian exhibit
6.
1847 in the United States
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Events from the year 1847 in the United States. President, James K. Polk Vice President, George M. Dallas Chief Justice, Roger B. Taney Speaker of the House of Representatives, John Wesley Davis, Robert Charles Winthrop Congress, January 13 – The Treaty of Cahuenga ends the fighting in the Mexican-American War in California. Fremont is appointed Governor of the new California Territory, January 17 – Saint Anthony Hall is founded at Columbia University, New York City, New York. January 30 – Yerba Buena, California is renamed San Francisco, february 5 – A rescue effort, called the First Relief, leaves Johnsons Ranch to save the ill-fated Donner Party. These California bound emigrants became snowbound in the Sierra Nevada in the winter of 1846–1847, march 1 – The state of Michigan formally abolishes the death penalty. March 9 – Mexican-American War, United States forces under General Winfield Scott invade Mexico near Veracruz, march 29 – Mexican-American War, United States forces led by General Winfield Scott take Veracruz after a siege. May 7 – In Philadelphia, the American Medical Association is founded, june 1 – Zeta Psi Fraternity of North America is founded at New York University. July 1 – The United States issues its first postage stamps, featuring George Washington, july 24 – After 17 months of travel, Brigham Young leads 148 Mormon pioneers into Salt Lake Valley, resulting in the establishment of Salt Lake City. July 29 – The Cumberland School of Law is founded at Cumberland University in Lebanon, at the end of 1847 only 15 law schools exist in the United States. November 29 – The Whitman massacre, Dr. Marcus Whitman, his wife Narcissa, the North Carolina General Assembly incorporates the railroad town of Goldsborough, and the Wayne county seat is moved to the new town. Mexican–American War January 28 – William V. Allen, United States Senator from Nebraska from 1893 till 1899, february 11 – Thomas A. Edison, American Inventor and Businessman. March 13 – Francis S. White, United States Senator from Alabama from 1914 till 1915, march 18 – William OConnell Bradley, United States Senator from Kentucky from 1895 till 1899. March 29 – John D. Works, United States Senator from California from 1911 till 1917, September 23 – Victoria Woodhull, American leader of the womans suffrage movement September 30 – James Taliaferro, United States Senator from Florida from 1899 till 1911. May 1 – Jesse Speight, United States Senator from Mississippi from 1845 till 1847, july 22 – Henry W. Edwards, United States Senator from Connecticut from 1823 till 1838. August 6 – Henry M. Ridgely, United States Senator from Delaware from 1827 till 1829, november 1 – Jabez W. Huntington, United States Senator from Connecticut from 1840 till 1847. November 29 – Narcissa Whitman, pioneer missionary Media related to 1847 in the United States at Wikimedia Commons
7.
Flag of the United States
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The flag of the United States, often referred to as the American flag, is the national flag of the United States. S. Nicknames for the flag include The Stars and Stripes, Old Glory, the current design of the U. S. flag is its 27th, the design of the flag has been modified officially 26 times since 1777. The 48-star flag was in effect for 47 years until the 49-star version became official on July 4,1959, the 50-star flag was ordered by the then president Eisenhower on August 21,1959, and was adopted in July 1960. It is the version of the U. S. flag and has been in use for over 56 years. At the time of the Declaration of Independence in July 1776, the flag contemporaneously known as the Continental Colors has historically been referred to as the first national flag. The name Grand Union was first applied to the Continental Colors by George Preble in his 1872 history of the American flag, the flag closely resembles the British East India Company flag of the era, and Sir Charles Fawcett argued in 1937 that the company flag inspired the design. Both flags could have been constructed by adding white stripes to a British Red Ensign. However, an East India Company flag could have nine to 13 stripes. In any case, both the stripes and the stars have precedents in classical heraldry, Flag Day is now observed on June 14 of each year. While scholars still argue about this, tradition holds that the new flag was first hoisted in June 1777 by the Continental Army at the Middlebrook encampment. The first official U. S. flag flown during battle was on August 3,1777, Massachusetts reinforcements brought news of the adoption by Congress of the official flag to Fort Schuyler. A voucher is extant that Capt. Swartwout of Dutchess County was paid by Congress for his coat for the flag, the 1777 resolution was most probably meant to define a naval ensign. In the late 18th century, the notion of a flag did not yet exist. The flag resolution appears between other resolutions from the Marine Committee, on May 10,1779, Secretary of the Board of War Richard Peters expressed concern it is not yet settled what is the Standard of the United States. However, the term, Standard, referred to a standard for the Army of the United States. Each regiment was to carry the standard in addition to its regimental standard. The national standard was not a reference to the national or naval flag, the appearance was up to the maker of the flag. Some flag makers arranged the stars into one big star, in a circle or in rows, one arrangement features 13 five-pointed stars arranged in a circle, with the stars arranged pointing outwards from the circle, the so-called Betsy Ross flag
8.
Timeline of United States history
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This is a timeline of United States history, comprising important legal and territorial changes and political and economic events in the United States and its predecessor states. To read about the background to these events, see History of the United States, some dates before September 14,1752, when the British government adopted the Gregorian calendar, may be given in the Old Style
9.
Federal government of the United States
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The Federal Government of the United States is the national government of the United States, a republic in North America, composed of 50 states, one district, Washington, D. C. and several territories. The federal government is composed of three branches, legislative, executive, and judicial, whose powers are vested by the U. S. Constitution in the Congress, the President, and the courts, including the Supreme Court. The powers and duties of these branches are defined by acts of Congress. The full name of the republic is United States of America, no other name appears in the Constitution, and this is the name that appears on money, in treaties, and in legal cases to which it is a party. The terms Government of the United States of America or United States Government are often used in documents to represent the federal government as distinct from the states collectively. In casual conversation or writing, the term Federal Government is often used, the terms Federal and National in government agency or program names generally indicate affiliation with the federal government. Because the seat of government is in Washington, D. C, Washington is commonly used as a metonym for the federal government. The outline of the government of the United States is laid out in the Constitution, the government was formed in 1789, making the United States one of the worlds first, if not the first, modern national constitutional republics. The United States government is based on the principles of federalism and republicanism, some make the case for expansive federal powers while others argue for a more limited role for the central government in relation to individuals, the states or other recognized entities. For example, while the legislative has the power to create law, the President nominates judges to the nations highest judiciary authority, but those nominees must be approved by Congress. The Supreme Court, in its turn, has the power to invalidate as unconstitutional any law passed by the Congress and these and other examples are examined in more detail in the text below. The United States Congress is the branch of the federal government. It is bicameral, comprising the House of Representatives and the Senate, the House currently consists of 435 voting members, each of whom represents a congressional district. The number of each state has in the House is based on each states population as determined in the most recent United States Census. All 435 representatives serve a two-year term, each state receives a minimum of one representative in the House. There is no limit on the number of terms a representative may serve, in addition to the 435 voting members, there are six non-voting members, consisting of five delegates and one resident commissioner. In contrast, the Senate is made up of two senators from each state, regardless of population, there are currently 100 senators, who each serve six-year terms
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Media related to 1845 in the United States at Wikimedia Commons
