Historical Events in February 1861

  • Feb 1 Dike breaks in Gelderland, Netherlands
  • Feb 1 Texas secedes from the Union (which precipitates the American Civil War)
  • Feb 2 The "Organized Incorporated Territory of Nevada" is created, lasting until October 31st, 1864

Event of interestEvent of Interest

Feb 4 Confederate constitutional convention meets for 1st time; Jefferson Davis elected President of Confederacy (US Civil War)

President of the Confederate States of America Jefferson Davis
President of the Confederate States of America
Jefferson Davis
  • Feb 5 Kinematoscope patented by Coleman Sellers, Philadelphia
  • Feb 5 Louisiana delegation except Mr Bouligny withdraws from Congress (US Civil War)
  • Feb 6 1st meeting of Provisional Congress of Confederate States of America (US Civil War)
  • Feb 6 British Vice-Admiral Robert Fitzroy issues first storm warnings for ships
  • Feb 8 Confederate States of America organizes in Montgomery, Alabama (US Civil War)
  • Feb 9 Jefferson Davis & Alexander Stephens elected President & VP of the Confederate States of America (US Civil War)
  • Feb 9 Tennessee votes against secession (US Civil War)

USAConstitution of the United States

Feb 9 Confederate Provisional Congress declares all laws under the US Constitution were consistent with constitution of Confederate states (US Civil War)
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Page one of the original copy of the Constitution of the United States
Page one of the original copy of the Constitution of the United States

Event of interestEvent of Interest

Feb 11 US President-elect Abraham Lincoln takes train from Spingfield IL to Washington, D.C.

US President Abraham Lincoln
US President
Abraham Lincoln
  • Feb 11 US House unanimously passes resolution guaranteeing noninterference with slavery in any state
  • Feb 12 State troops seize US munitions in Napoleon, Arkansas, during the US Civil War
  • Feb 13 First military action to result in Congressional Medal of Honor, Arizona
  • Feb 13 Abraham Lincoln declared US President in Washington, D.C.
  • Feb 13 Colonel Bernard Irwin attacks & defeats hostile Chiricahua Indians
  • Feb 15 Ft Point completed & garrisoned (but has never fired cannon in anger)
  • Feb 18 Confederate President Jefferson Davis inaugurated at Montgomery, Alabama (US Civil War)

Event of interestEvent of Interest

Feb 18 King Victor Emmanuel II of Sardinia becomes first King of Italy

King of Sardinia and Italy Victor Emmanuel II
King of Sardinia and Italy
Victor Emmanuel II
  • Feb 19 Russian Tsar Alexander II abolishes serfdom [NS=Mar 3]
  • Feb 20 Navy of the Confederate States (CSN) forms (US Civil War)
  • Feb 21 Steeple of Chichester Cathedral collapses despite the desperate efforts of 70 workmen
  • Feb 21 Navaho indians elect Herrero Grande as chief
  • Feb 22 On a bet Edward Weston leaves Boston to walk to Lincoln's inauguration
  • Feb 23 Dutch Premier Floris A van Hall resigns
  • Feb 27 Russians shoot at Poles protesting Russian rule of Poland in Castle Square, Warsaw
  • Feb 27 US Congress authorizes 1st stamped newspaper wrappers for mailing