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) →

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) →

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) →

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.

Video: 'Top 10 AMAZING Facts About Neptune'

(Thursday, September 24, 1846, just after midnight local time) — Neptune, the eighth and farthest known planet from the Sun in the Solar System, was identified as a planet early this morning at the Berlin Observatory by German astronomer Johann Gottfried Galle.

Video: 'September 10 -- TDIPH#4 -- Invention of Sewing Machine'

(Thursday, September 10, 1846) — Elias Howe today was awarded the first United States patent for a sewing machine using a lockstitch design.

(Thursday, August 18, 1846; during the Mexican-American War) — U.S. forces led by Gen. Stephen W. Kearny occupied Santa Fe today in present-day New Mexico, bringing nearly two and a half centuries of Spanish and Mexican rule to an end without firing a shot.

Video: 'Mexican American War - 2of6' (Congress approves declaration of war at :21)

(Wednesday, May 13, 1846; during the Mexican-American War) — The U.S. Congress approved a declaration of war on Mexico requested by President James Polk today after a few hours of debate on a vote of 40-2 in the Senate and 174-14 in the House.