On This Day

Historical Events in January 1853

  • Jan 1 1st practical fire engine (horse-drawn) in US enters service
  • Jan 3 Solomon Northup is freed after 7 illegal years in slavery with aid of Washington Hunt, Governor of New York
  • Jan 4 Solomon Northup, author of the memoir "Twelve Years a Slave", regains his freedom

Event of interestEvent of Interest

Jan 6 Franklin Pierce, the President-elect of the United States at the time, and his family are involved in a train wreck in Massachusetts

14th US President Franklin Pierce
14th US President
Franklin Pierce
  • Jan 8 1st US bronze equestrian statue (of Andrew Jackson) unveiled, Washington
  • Jan 10 Charles Reade's "Gold" premieres in London

Music releaseMusic Premiere

Jan 19 Giuseppe Verdi's opera "Il Trovatore" premieres in Rome

Composer Giuseppe Verdi
Composer
Giuseppe Verdi
  • Jan 21 Envelope-folding machine patented by Russell Hawes in Worcester, Massachusetts

Event of interestEvent of Interest

Jan 23 John Wilkes Booth is baptized at St. Timothy's Protestant Episcopal Church

Assassin John Wilkes Booth
Assassin
John Wilkes Booth

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