On This Day

July 1847 in History

Events in History

  • Jul 1 1st US postage stamps go on sale, 5 cent Franklin and 10 cent Washington, NYC
  • Jul 2 Envelope bearing 1st US 10 cent stamps used (still exists today)
  • Jul 10 Urbain Le Leverrier and John Couch Adams, co-discoverers of Neptune, meet for 1st time at home of John Herschel
  • Jul 20 German astronomer Theodor discovers Comet Brorsen-Metcalf

Event of interestEvent of Interest

Jul 24 Brigham Young and his Mormon followers arrive at Salt Lake City, Utah

Founder of Salt Lake City and President of the LDS Church Brigham Young
Founder of Salt Lake City and President of the LDS Church
Brigham Young
  • Jul 24 Rotary-type printing press patents received by Richard March Hoe, NYC
  • Jul 26 Moses Gerrish Farmer builds 1st miniature train for children to ride
  • Jul 26 The Liberian Declaration of Independence is signed making Liberia a sovereign nation, independent from the American Colonization Society
  • Jul 29 Cumberland School of Law founded in Lebanon, Tennessee, USA. At the end of 1847 only 15 law schools exist in the United States

Birthdays in History

  • Jul 2 Marcel Bertrand, French geologist and mine engineer (tectonic geology), born in Paris (d. 1907)

Person of interestJames Anthony Bailey

Jul 4 James Anthony Bailey, American circus ringmaster and showman (Barnum & Bailey), born in Detroit, Michigan (d. 1906)

Circus Showman and Businessman James Anthony Bailey
Circus Showman and Businessman
James Anthony Bailey
  • Jul 20 Max Liebermann, German impressionist painter

Weddings in History


LoveWedding of Interest

Jul 28 Chancellor Otto von Bismarck (32) weds noblewoman Johanna von Puttkamer (23) in Kolczyglowy, Poland

German Statesman Otto von Bismarck
German Statesman
Otto von Bismarck

Deaths in History

  • Jul 1 George F Kersting, German painter, dies at 61
  • Jul 11 Joachim le Sage ten Broek, Dutch notary and publicist, dies at 71