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: 'Ben Stiller Gives you Introduction To The Smithsonian'
(Monday, August 10, 1846) — U.S. President James K. Polk signed the legislation today that established the Smithsonian Institution, a group of museums and research centers administered by the government of the United States “for the increase and diffusion of knowledge.” Continue reading President Polk signs measure establishing Smithsonian Institution 170 years ago today (Aug 10 1846)
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.
Video: 'Mexican American War - 2of6' (Battle of Palo Alto at 1:33)
(Friday, May 8, 1846, 2:00 p.m. local time; during the Mexican-American War) — The first major battle of the Mexican-American War was fought today at Palo Alto, Texas; U.S. forces led by Gen. Zachary Taylor were able to beat back Mexican forces.
(Wednesday, June 26, 1844) — U.S. President John Tyler, a 54-year-old widower, married Julia Gardiner, 24, today at the Church of the Ascension in the Greenwich Village neighborhood of Manhattan in New York City. Gardiner became the 11th (and the youngest up to that time) First Lady of the United States.
(Wednesday, February 28, 1844, shortly after 4:00 p.m.) — U.S. President John Tyler barely escaped injury today when a 12-inch gun aboard the USS Princeton exploded as the ship was sailing on the Potomac River. Secretary of State Abel P. Upshur, Navy Secretary Thomas W. Gilmer and four others were killed.
