Category Archives: 1850s

Darwin’s ‘On the Origin of Species’ proposes continual evolution of species 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 24 1859)


Video: '24th November 1859: Darwin publishes On the Origin of Species'

(Thursday, November 24, 1859)On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection, a work of scientific literature by British naturalist Charles Darwin which explained his theory of evolution by means of natural selection, was published today by John Murray. Continue reading Darwin’s ‘On the Origin of Species’ proposes continual evolution of species 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Nov 24 1859)

Abolitionist John Brown leads raid on Harpers Ferry in Virginia 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 16 1859)


Video: 'U.S. Slavery John Brown Raid'

(Sunday, October 16, 1859, evening local time; during John Brown’s raid on Harpers Ferry) — Abolitionist John Brown led a group of 21 men in a raid this evening on the federal arsenal at Harper’s Ferry in western Virginia to initiate an armed slave revolt in Southern states. Continue reading Abolitionist John Brown leads raid on Harpers Ferry in Virginia 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 16 1859)

Oregon admitted to Union as 33rd state 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 14 1859)


Video: 'Top 20 Sites in Oregon for 2015!'

(Monday, February 14, 1859) — President James Buchanan signed a bill today officially admitting Oregon, located in the Pacific Northwest region on the West Coast of the United States, as the 33rd State in the Union. Continue reading Oregon admitted to Union as 33rd state 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 14 1859)

U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt born 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 27 1858)


Video: 'Theodore Roosevelt - 26th U.S. President & Nobel Peace Prize Winnter | Mini Bio | BIO'

(Wednesday, October 27, 1858)Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th (and at age 42, the youngest ever) President of the United States (1901-1909) and the 25th Vice President of the United States, under President William McKinley (1901), was born today in his family’s home at 28 East 20th Street, between Broadway and Park Avenue South, in the borough of Manhattan in New York City. Continue reading U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt born 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 27 1858)

First Lincoln–Douglas debate held 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 21 1858)


Video: 'Inside The Lincoln Douglas Debates - Documentary'

(Saturday, August 21, 1858, 2:30 p.m. local time) — The first of seven Lincoln–Douglas debates between Abraham Lincoln, the Republican candidate for the United States Senate from Illinois, and incumbent Senator Stephen Douglas, the Democratic Party candidate, took place today in Ottawa (click here to watch a reenactment of today’s debate). Continue reading First Lincoln–Douglas debate held 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 21 1858)

Transatlantic telegraph cable inaugurated 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 16 1858)


Video: 'The World's First Transatlantic Cable : Documentary on the First Transatlantic Telegraph Cable' (Aug. 16, 1858, at 31:04)

(Monday, August 16, 1858, 7:00 p.m. local time) — Britain’s Queen Victoria inaugurated the new transatlantic telegraph cable today, sending a telegram of congratulations to U.S. President James Buchanan at his summer residence at the Bedford Springs Hotel in Pennsylvania, expressing hope that it would prove “an additional link between the nations whose friendship is founded on their common interest and reciprocal esteem.” Continue reading Transatlantic telegraph cable inaugurated 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 16 1858)

Lincoln delivers ‘House Divided Speech’ 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 16 1858)


Video: 'Abraham Lincoln House Divided Speech Hear the Full Text'

(Tuesday, June 16, 1858, 8:00 p.m. local time) — Abraham Lincoln, accepting the Illinois Republican Party’s nomination for the U.S. Senate said today the slavery issue had to be resolved, declaring, “A house divided against itself cannot stand.” Continue reading Lincoln delivers ‘House Divided Speech’ 160 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Jun 16 1858)

Minnesota admitted to Union as 32nd state 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 11 1858)


Video: 'Minnesota - 50 States - US Geography'

(Tuesday, May 11, 1858)Minnesota, located in the Great Lakes and northern regions of the United States, was admitted as the 32nd U.S. state today, created from the eastern half of the Minnesota Territory. Continue reading Minnesota admitted to Union as 32nd state 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 11 1858)

‘Wedding March’ becomes popular wedding processional 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 25 1858)


Video: 'Mendelssohn's Wedding March'

(Monday, January 25, 1858) — The Wedding March, composed by Felix Mendelssohn in 1842, was played today at the marriage of Queen Victoria’s daughter, Victoria, and Prince Friedrich of Prussia, at St James’s Palace in London, and becomes a popular wedding processional. Continue reading ‘Wedding March’ becomes popular wedding processional 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 25 1858)

U.S. President William Howard Taft born in Cincinnati 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 15 1857)


Video: '#27 William Howard Taft'

(Tuesday, September 15, 1857)William Howard Taft, the 27th President of the United States (1909-1913) and the tenth Chief Justice of the United States (1921–1930), was born today in Cincinnati, Ohio. Continue reading U.S. President William Howard Taft born in Cincinnati 160 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Sep 15 1857)