On This Day

What Happened in 1849

Historical Events

  • Jan 23 US Patent granted for an envelope-making machine to Jesse K. Park and Cornelius S. Watson
  • Jan 31 Corn Laws abolished in Britain
  • Feb 4 University of Wisconsin begins in 1 room with 20 students
  • Feb 8 New Roman Republic established in Italy
  • Feb 9 Roman Republic declared in Rome replacing following flight of Pope Pius IX
  • Feb 14 In New York City, James Knox Polk becomes first serving US President to have his photograph taken (by Matthew Brady).
  • Feb 18 1st regular steamboat service to California starts (or 02/28)
  • Feb 28 1st boat load of gold rush prospectors arrives in San Francisco from east coast

More Historical Events

1849 in Music

  • Apr 16 Giacomo Meyerbeer's opera "Le prophète" premieres in Paris
  • Dec 14 1st chamber music group in US gives their 1st concert (Boston)

Did You Know?

The first air raid in history; Austria launches pilotless balloons against the Italian city of Venice

On August 22, 1849

Famous People Born in 1849

More Famous Birthdays

Famous Deaths

More Famous Deaths

World Leaders in 1849

Famous People in 1849

Would You Believe?

The execution of Russian writer Fyodor Dostoyevsky by firing squad is called off at the last second

On December 22, 1849

Famous Weddings

  • May 29 Bacteriologist Louis Pasteur (26) weds secretary Marie Laurent (23) in Strasbourg, France
  • Jul 26 Prime Minister of Canada John Abbott (28) weds Mary Bethune at bride's parents home

Famous Divorces

  • Mar 28 Dutch princess Marianne & Prince Albert of Prussia separate


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