On This Day

February 1819 in History

Events in History


Event of interestEvent of Interest

Feb 6 Stamford Raffles founds Singapore as a British trading port

British Statesman and Founder of Singapore Stamford Raffles
British Statesman and Founder of Singapore
Stamford Raffles

DiscoveryHistoric Discovery

Feb 19 British explorer William Smith discovers the South Shetland Islands, and claims them in the name of King George III

King of Great Britain, Ireland and Hanover George III
King of Great Britain, Ireland and Hanover
George III
  • Feb 22 The Adams–Onís Treaty between Spain and the United States is signed, ceding Florida to the US and defining the boundary between the US and New Spain

Birthdays in History

  • Feb 1 Henry Lawrence Eustis, American Brigadier General (Union Army), born in Boston, Massachusetts (d. 1885)

Person of interestEmperor Norton

Feb 4 Emperor Norton [Joshua Abraham Norton], British born self proclaimed "Norton I, Emperor of the United States", born in London, England (d. 1880)

Emperor of the USA Emperor Norton
Emperor of the USA
Emperor Norton
  • Feb 8 John Ruskin, writer/critic/artist/Gothic Revivalist (Prerafaelite)
  • Feb 14 James Green Martin, Brigadier General (Confederate Army), born in Elizabeth City, North Carolina (d. 1878)

Person of interestChristopher Latham Sholes

Feb 14 Christopher Latham Sholes, American newspaper man, politician and inventor of the typewriter, born in Mooresburg, Pennsylvania (d. 1890)

Inventor of the QWERTY Keyboard Christopher Latham Sholes
Inventor of the QWERTY Keyboard
Christopher Latham Sholes
  • Feb 19 Mark Prager Lindo, English Dutch writer, born in London, England (d. 1877)
  • Feb 20 Alfred Escher, Swiss politician, railroad entrepreneur (d. 1882)
  • Feb 22 James Russell Lowell, poet/critic/diplomat/abolitionist