Category Archives: 1840s

Wisconsin admitted to Union as 30th state 170 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 29 1848)


Video: 'State of Wisconsin - The 50 States'

(Monday, May 29, 1848)Wisconsin, located in the north-central United States, in the Midwest and Great Lakes regions, became the 30th state in the Union today when President James K. Polk signed Wisconsin’s admission bill into law. Continue reading Wisconsin admitted to Union as 30th state 170 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 29 1848)

Democrats nominate Cass-Butler ticket 170 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 25 1848)

(Thursday, May 25, 1848) — The 1848 Democratic National Convention adjourned today at the Universalist Church in Baltimore, having nominated Senator Lewis Cass of Michigan for President over Supreme Court Associate Justice Levi Woodbury of New Hampshire 179-38 votes on the fourth ballot. Continue reading Democrats nominate Cass-Butler ticket 170 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (May 25 1848)

Former U.S. President John Quincy Adams dies 170 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 23 1848)


Video: 'John Quincy Adams - Mini Biography'

(Wednesday, February 23, 1848, 7:20 p.m. local time)John Quincy Adams, the 6th President of the United States (1825-1829), the 8th United States Secretary of State (1817-1825) and a member of the U.S. House of Representatives (since 1831), died today in the Speaker’s Room inside the Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., two days after suffering a massive cerebral hemorrhage in the House chamber. Continue reading Former U.S. President John Quincy Adams dies 170 years ago this hour #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 23 1848)

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ends Mexican–American War 170 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 2 1848)


Video: 'Documentary_The Mexican - American War' (Feb. 2, 1848 at 1:21:08)

(Wednesday, February 2, 1848) — The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo was signed today at the main altar of the old Basilica of Guadalupe at Villa Hidalgo, now a neighborhood in northern Mexico City, ending the Mexican-American War after nearly two years of fighting. Continue reading Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo ends Mexican–American War 170 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Feb 2 1848)

James W. Marshall discovers gold in California 170 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 24 1848)


Video: 'The Start of the California Gold Rush (1849)'

(Monday, January 24, 1848)James W. Marshall, a foreman working for Sacramento pioneer John Sutter, found shiny metal today in the tailrace of a lumber mill Marshall was building for Sutter on the American River, near Coloma in northern California — a discovery that led to the California Gold Rush. Continue reading James W. Marshall discovers gold in California 170 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Jan 24 1848)

Iowa admitted to Union as 29th state 170 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 28 1846)


Video: 'Iowa - 50 States - US Geography'

(Monday, December 28, 1846)Iowa, located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by the Mississippi River on the east and the Missouri River and the Big Sioux River on the west, became the 29th state in the Union today when President James K. Polk signed Iowa’s admission bill into law. Continue reading Iowa admitted to Union as 29th state 170 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Dec 28 1846)

William T.G. Morton demonstrates surgical anesthesia 170 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Oct 16 1846)


Video: 'William T.G. Morton Biography'

(Friday, October 16, 1846, just after midnight local time) — Dentist William T. G. Morton demonstrated the effectiveness of ether as an anesthetic today by administering it to a patient undergoing jaw surgery before an audience of doctors at the operating theater of the Massachusetts General Hospital, or MGH.