Category Archives: 1840s

U.S. forces occupy Santa Fe in present-day New Mexico 170 years ago #OnThisDay #OTD (Aug 18 1846)

1840s

(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.

President Polk signs measure establishing Smithsonian Institution 170 years ago today (Aug 10 1846)

1840s, U.S. Presidents


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) →

U.S. Congress declares war on Mexico 170 years ago today (May 13 1846)

1840s


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.

First major battle of Mexican-American War fought 170 years ago today (May 8 1846)

1840s


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.

Thornton Affair triggers Mexican–American War 170 years ago today (Apr 25 1846)

1840s


Video: 'Mexican American War - 1of6' (Apr. 25, 1846, at 1:51/8:48)

(Saturday, April 25, 1846; during the Mexican-American War) — The Mexican-American War began today when more than 1,000-strong Mexican cavalry detachment attacked a 63-man U.S. patrol under the command of Captain Seth Thornton, which had been sent into the contested territory north of the Rio Grande and south of the Nueces River. Continue reading Thornton Affair triggers Mexican–American War 170 years ago today (Apr 25 1846) →

U.S. Naval Academy established in Annapolis, Maryland 170 years ago today (Oct 10 1845)

1840s


Video: 'UNITED STATES NAVAL ACADEMY ANNAPOLIS MARYLAND 1940s RECRUITING FILM 71102'

(Friday, October 10, 1845) — The United States Naval Academy, a four-year coeducational federal service academy, was established today in Annapolis, Maryland, with 50 midshipman students and seven professors.

Former U.S. President Andrew Jackson dies in Nashville 170 years ago this hour (June 8 1845)

1840s, U.S. Presidents


Video: 'Andrew Jackson - Good Evil & The Presidency - PBS Documentary'

(Tuesday, June 8, 1845, 6:00 p.m. local time) — Andrew Jackson, the seventh president of the United States (1829-1837), died today at The Hermitage, his plantation in Nashville, Tennessee, of chronic tuberculosis, dropsy, and heart failure. He was 78.

President John Tyler weds second wife in New York 170 years ago today (Jun 26 1844)

1840s, U.S. Presidents

(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.