Mar 1 Michigan becomes 1st English-speaking jurisdiction to abolish the death penalty (except for treason against the state) Mar 3 9th Grand National: Denny Wynne wins aboard 10/1 Mathew; regarded as the first Irish-trained horse to win the race Mar 3 US Post Office Department is authorized to issue postage stamps Mar 7 US General Scott occupies Vera Cruz, Mexico Mar 10 1st money minted in Hawaii Music Premiere Mar 14 Premiere of Giuseppe Verdi's opera "Macbeth" at the Teatro della Pergola, Florence Composer Giuseppe Verdi Mar 18 1st Dutch public telegram Mar 25 Pope Pius issues IX encyclical "On aid for Ireland" Mar 29 12,000 US troops capture Vera Cruz, Mexico 1846 Historical Events by Year 1848