Sep 2 Salon of Varietes opens in Amsterdam Sep 5 The First Opium War begins in China Trail of Tears Sep 6 Cherokee Nation unites and ratifies constitution at Tahlequah, OklahomaLearn More The Trail of Tears, painting by Robert Lindneux, 1942 Learn More Sep 6 Great fire in New York Sep 9 English scientist and astronomer John Herschel takes 1st glass plate photograph Sep 11 1st Canadian track & field meet held (Caer Howell Grounds) Sep 20 1st railroad in Netherland opens (Amsterdam-Haarlem) 1838 Historical Events by Year 1840