- 1860
| Feb 03 | Thomas Clemson takes office as first US superintendent of agriculture. | Ref: 5 |
| Mar 09 | First Japanese ambassador arrives in San Francisco en route to Washington DC. | Ref: 5 |
| Mar 12 | Congress accepts Pre-emption Bill; free land in West for colonists. | Ref: 5 |
| Mar 17 | Japanese embassy arrives aboard Candinmarruh [sic]. | Ref: 5 |
| Mar 21 | US extradition treaty with Sweden. | Ref: 5 |
| Mar 24 | Clipper Andrew Jackson arrives in San Francisco, 89 days out of New York. | Ref: 5 |
| Apr 27 | Thomas J Jackson is assigned to command Harpers Ferry. | Ref: 5 |
| May 14 | A mission from Japan arrives in the US. The delegates are the first Japanese diplomats ever to make an official visit to another country. ("May 14, Your Birthday", Natalis Press, ©1990) | |
| Jun 23 | Congress establishes the Government Printing Office. | Ref: 5 |
| Jun 23 | US Secret Service created under Treasury Department. | Ref: 5 |
| Jun 29 | The last stone was laid at Minot’s Ledge (Massachusetts) Lighthouse. The stone tower replaced an iron-pile lighthouse that had been destroyed by a storm in April 1851. The new lighthouse was built of 1,079 blocks (3,514 tons) of Quincy granite dovetailed together and reinforced with iron shafts. Minot’s Light has lasted through countless storms and hurricanes, a testament to its designer and builders. The first 40 feet is solid granite, topped by a storeroom, living quarters and work space. | Ref: 4 |
| Aug 11 | The first successful silver mill in the US begins operation near Virginia City, NV. (XDG, p 4A, 8/11/2000) | Ref: 83 |
| Dec 17 | Anaheim Township created in Los Angeles County. | Ref: 5 |
| Dec 26 | Maiden voyage of first steamship owned by 1 man (C Vanderbilt). | Ref: 5 |
- 1861
| Jan 29 | (new state) Kansas is admitted as the 34th state. | Ref: 70 |
| Feb 11 | US House unanimously passes resolution guaranteeing noninterference with slavery in any state. | Ref: 5 |
| Feb 13 | Col Bernard Irwin, asst. army surgeon, wins the first Medal of Honor in the US-Apache war in Arizona. | Ref: 5 |
| Feb 15 | Ft Point completed & garrisoned (but has never fired cannon in anger). | Ref: 5 |
| Feb 28 | The Territory of Colorado was organized. | Ref: 70 |
| Mar 02 | Congress passes a law permitting photographs to be copyrighted. (XDG, p 4A, 3/2/2001) | Ref: 83 |
| Mar 02 | Government Printing Office purchases first printing plant, Washington DC. | Ref: 5 |
| Mar 02 | US Congress creates Dakota & Nevada Territories out of the Nebraska & Utah territories. | Ref: 5 |
| Mar 04 | President Lincoln opens Government Printing Office. | Ref: 5 |
| Mar 23 | John D. Defrees became the first Superintendent of the United States Government Printing Office. | Ref: 4 |
| Aug 19 | Passports first introduced in America. | Ref: 10 |
| Nov 12 | U.S. first exports oil to Europe. | Ref: 62 |
| Nov 26 | At Wheeling, a convention adopts a constitution for the newest state WV. | Ref: 5 |
- 1862
| Jan 01 | First US income tax (3% of incomes > $600, 5% of incomes > $10,000). | Ref: 5 |
| Feb 25 | Paper currency (greenbacks) introduced in US by President Abraham Lincoln. | Ref: 5 |
| Feb 25 | Congress establishes the US Bureau of Engraving & Printing. | Ref: 5 |
| Mar 10 | US issues first paper money ($5, $10, $20, $50, $100, $500 & $1000). | Ref: 5 |
| Apr 21 | Congress establishes US Mint in Denver, CO. | Ref: 5 |
| May 15 | The US Department of Agriculture was created by an act of Congress on this day. | Ref: 4 |
| Jun 24 | U.S. intervention saves the British and French at the Dagu forts in China. | Ref: 2 |
| Jul 01 | Congress establishes the Bureau of Internal Revenue. President Abraham Lincoln signs the bill into law, making it possible for the feds to collect a 3% tax on incomes ranging from $600 to $10,000, and 5% on incomes over $10,000. Several precursors to the law were never officially enacted or enforced, and this law was just a temporary one. The Bureau became the Internal Revenue Service in 1913. It was then that a 16th amendment was added to the U.S. Constitution permitting the Federal Government to once again collect a tax on income. | Ref: 4 |
| Jul 01 | Congress outlaws polygamy (1st time); bad news for Utah. | Ref: 5 |
| Jul 01 | Lincoln appoints Isaac Newton sec of agriculture-no kidding!. | Ref: 5 |
| Jul 07 | The Land Grant Act passes Congress, allowing the establishment of land grant colleges and universities. | Ref: 5 |
| Jul 12 | The Medal of Honor was authorized on this day by the US Congress. | Ref: 4 |
| Aug 29 | US Bureau of Engraving & Printing begins operation. | Ref: 5 |
| Dec 01 | President Abraham Lincoln gives the State of the Union address to the 37th Congress. | Ref: 2 |
| Dec 10 | The U.S. House of Representatives passes a bill creating the state of West Virginia. | Ref: 2 |
| Dec 21 | The U.S. Congress authorizes the Medal of Honor to be awarded to Navy personnel who have distinguished themselves by their gallantry in action. | Ref: 2 |
- 1863
| Jan 01 | First homestead under the Homestead Act claimed, near Beatrice NE. | Ref: 5 |
| Feb 24 | Arizona is organized as a territory. | Ref: 5 |
| Feb 25 | Congress creates national banking system, comptroller of currency. | Ref: 5 |
| Feb 26 | President Lincoln signs the National Currency Act. | Ref: 5 |
| Mar 03 | Abraham Lincoln approves charter for National Academy of Sciences. | Ref: 5 |
| Mar 03 | Congress authorizes a US mint at Carson City NV. | Ref: 5 |
| Mar 03 | Idaho organized as a territory of the U.S. from pieces taken from Washington, Utah, Dakota & Nebraska. | Ref: 5 |
| Mar 04 | Territory of Idaho established. | Ref: 5 |
| Mar 21 | Naval Engagement at Havana Cuba-USS Henrick Hudson vs BR Wild Pigeon. | Ref: 5 |
| Jun 20 | (new state) Virginia’s cessation from the Union gave reason for the birth of WV. 40 western counties of Virginia did not secede, and instead, formed their own government, officially entering the United States of America this day as the 35th state. Charleston is the capital of the Mountain State which boasts of having the most rugged terrain of any state east of the MS. Throughout the forested hills of WV, you’ll also find many cardinals (the state bird) and multitudes of the state flower, the big rhododendron. | Ref: 4 |
| Jul 04 | Boise, Idaho founded (now capital of Idaho). | Ref: 5 |
| Jul 07 | First military draft by US (exemptions cost $100). | Ref: 5 |
| Aug 16 | Emancipation Proclamation signed. | Ref: 5 |
| Oct 03 | President Lincoln declared the last Thursday in November as Thanksgiving Day. | Ref: 70 |
| Oct 10 | The first telegraph line to Denver is completed. | Ref: 2 |
| Nov 26 | The first National Thanksgiving is celebrated. | Ref: 2 |
| Nov 28 | Thanksgiving was first observed as a regular American holiday. Proclaimed by President Lincoln the previous month, it was declared that the event would be observed annually, on the fourth Thursday in November. | Ref: 5 |
- 1864
| Feb 19 | The Fraternal Order of Knights of Pythias was founded in Washington, DC on this day. A dozen members formed what became Lodge No. 1. | Ref: 4 |
| Apr 01 | The first travel accident policy was issued. The Travelers Insurance Company (the company with the red umbrella as a logo, remember?) issued the policy to James Batterson, who also received the first general insurance policy issued by the firm in July, 1864. | Ref: 4 |
| Apr 22 | The motto "In God We Trust" first appeared on U.S. coinage, being struck on a bronze two-cent piece, issued during the American Civil War. | Ref: 5 |
| Apr 30 | New York becomes first state to charge a hunting license fee. | Ref: 5 |
| May 26 | Montana territory organized by taking piece from Territory of Idaho. | Ref: 5 |
| Jun 30 | Yosemite Valley becomes state park granted to California by act of Congress. | Ref: 10 |
| Jul 02 | Statuary Hall in US Capitol established. | Ref: 5 |
| Oct 30 | Helena, capital of Montana, is founded. | Ref: 5 |
| Oct 31 | (new state) Nevada is admitted as the 36th state. | Ref: 5 |
| Dec 29 | Fire Department celebrates first annual ball. | Ref: 5 |
- 1865
| Jan 21 | For the first time, an oil well was drilled by torpedoes. The well was near Titusville, PA. | Ref: 4 |
| Jan 31 | Congress proposes the 13th Amendment, abolishing slavery in America. (TWA, 1997) | Ref: 95 |
| Feb 01 | The 13th Amendment approved is signed by President Lincoln (National Freedom Day). (TWA, 1997) | Ref: 95 |
| Mar 28 | Outdoor advertising legislation was enacted in New York State. The law banned “painting on stones, rocks and trees.” Of course, it didn’t say anything about painting on buildings, bridges, subway cars, etc. | Ref: 4 |
| May 05 | The 13th Amendment is ratified, abolishing slavery. | Ref: 2 |
| Jul 05 | The United States Secret Service was created. At first, the agency was only responsible for protecting against the counterfeiting of US currency. In 1901, following the assassination of President William McKinley, the Secret Service began protecting the President of the US The scope of responsibility for the Secret Service has grown enormously over the years. This arm of the US Treasury is now also responsible for guarding the White House, the Executive Office Building, the Treasury building and annex along with all the billions of $$$ stored in its vaults. | Ref: 4 |
| Jul 13 | Horace Greeley of the New York Tribune said "Go west young man, go west" | Ref: 62 |
| Sep 03 | Army commander in SC orders Freedmen's Bureau to stop seizing land. | Ref: 5 |
| Dec 06 | The Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, proposed by Congress on January 31, 1865, is finally ratified. Slavery is abolished. (TWA, 1997) | Ref: 95 |
| Dec 18 | “Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, save as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist in the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.” With these words, slavery was abolished in the United States. Seq: 1 | Ref: 4 |
- 1866
| Feb 10 | (day unspecified) President Johnson vetoes the Freedmen's Bureau Bill (which is later passed over his veto). | Ref: 87 |
| Feb 19 | The New York State Senate and Assembly passes a bill to create a Board of Health. It will be signed into law within a week. | Ref: 70 |
| Feb 24 | The Capitol in Washington, DC displayed an American flag made entirely of American bunting -- another first. | Ref: 4 |
| Mar 02 | Excelsior Needle Company of Wolcottville, Connecticut began making sewing machine needles. | Ref: 4 |
| Mar 21 | Congress authorizes national soldiers' homes. | Ref: 5 |
| Mar 27 | President Andrew Johnson vetoes the civil rights bill, which later becomes the 14th amendment. | Ref: 2 |
| Apr 01 | Western Union buys U.S. Telegraph Company thereby becoming first American monopoly. | Ref: 10 |
| Apr 01 | US Congress rejects presidential veto gives all equal rights in US. | Ref: 5 |
| Apr 06 | G.A.R. (Grand Army of the Republic) is established. | Ref: 5 |
| Apr 10 | The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is incorporated. (The World Dictionary of Dates, ISBN 0-582-28372-8, 1982) | |
| May 16 | The U.S. Treasury Department added another coin to American currency by authorizing the minting of the nickel. The silver half-dime was used up to this point. | Ref: 4 |
| May 24 | Berkeley CA named (for George Berkeley, Bishop of Cloyne). | Ref: 5 |
| Jun 02 | Renegade Irish Fenians surrender to US forces. | Ref: 5 |
| Jun 13 | House passes 14th Amendment. | Ref: 5 |
| Jul 17 | Authorization was given to build a tunnel beneath the Chicago River. The project was completed three years later at a cost of $512,709. | Ref: 4 |
| Jul 25 | Congress established a new rank, general of the armies of the United States, to which Grant was immediately appointed. | Ref: 4 |
| Jul 25 | David Farragut becomes the first naval officer to become an admiral. | Ref: 39 |
| Jul 28 | Although its use was not required, the metric system was legalized by the US Congress for the standardization of weights and measures throughout the United States. | Ref: 4 |
| Nov 20 | First national convention of Grand Army of the Republic (veterans' organization). | Ref: 5 |
| Nov 30 | Work begins on first US underwater highway tunnel, Chicago. | Ref: 5 |
| Dec 03 | Paid fire department replaces volunteer companies. | Ref: 5 |
| Dec 06 | Chicago water supply tunnel 3,227 meters into Lake Michigan completed. | Ref: 5 |
| Dec 26 | Brig. Gen. Philip St. George Cooke, head of the Department of the Platte, receives word of the Fetterman Fight in Powder River County in the Dakota territory. | Ref: 2 |
- 1867
| Feb 14 | Hartford Steam Boiler Inspection & Insurance Company issues first policy. | Ref: 5 |
| Mar 01 | (new state) The Cornhusker State, aka the Beef State, aka the Tree Planter State, aka Nebraska (37th state), entered the United States of America. Nebraska means ‘flat water’ in Oto Indian speak. Lincoln is the official seat of Nebraska government. Nebraska’s motto: Equality before the law. The western meadowlark holds the honor of being the state bird; while the goldenrod takes its place as the state flower. Other state symbols include the cottonwood tree (state tree); the honeybee (state insect); blue agate (state gemstone); whitetail deer (state mammal); mammoth (state fossil); prairie agate (state rock); Beautiful Nebraska (state song) ... that’s original ... and, the state soil: typic arguistolls, Holrege Series. State soil? | Ref: 4 |
| Mar 02 | Congress abolishes peonage in New Mexico. | Ref: 5 |
| Mar 02 | US Congress passed the first Reconstruction Act. | Ref: 5 |
| Mar 23 | Congress passes 2nd Reconstruction Act over President Johnson's veto. | Ref: 5 |
| Mar 29 | Congress approves Lincoln Memorial | Ref: 5 |
| Mar 30 | Russian Baron Stoeckl and U.S. Secretary of State Seward completed the draft of a treaty ceding Alaska to the United States. The treaty is signed the following day. | Ref: 2 |
| May 01 | Reconstruction in the South begins with black voter registration. | Ref: 2 |
| Jun 20 | Pres Andrew Johnson announces purchase of Alaska. | Ref: 5 |
| Aug 28 | The U.S. annexes the Midway Islands. | Ref: 5 |
| Sep 30 | Midway Islands formally declared a US possession. | Ref: 5 |
| Oct 18 | The territory of Alaska is formally handed over from Russia to the United States. Despite the bargain price of roughly two cents an acre, the Alaskan purchase was largely ridiculed in the American press as "Seward's Folly." | Ref: 3 |
| Nov 02 | Harper and Bros. in New York publishes first fashion weekly-Harper's Bazaar. | Ref: 10 |
| Dec 04 | The Order of Patrons of Husbandry, more commonly known as the National Grange, is founded by Oliver Kelley, a traveling clerk with the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The original purpose of the Grange was to provide enrichment opportunities for isolated farm families, but its purpose quickly became economic and political. Farmers, particularly in the Midwest and South, were frequently victimized by railroad monopolies that charged exorbitant rates and storage fees. | Ref: 2 |
| Dec 09 | The capital of Colorado Territory is moved from Golden to Denver. | Ref: 2 |
| Dec 24 | It was Christmas Eve that R.H. Macy’s department store in New York City remained open until midnight to catch last-minute shoppers. The store took in a record $6,000, giving itself a very Merry Christmas. | Ref: 4 |
- 1868
| Jan 07 | Arkansas constitutional convention meets in Little Rock. | Ref: 5 |
| Jan 07 | Mississippi constitutional convention meets in Jackson. | Ref: 5 |
| Feb 10 | Conservatives & military, seize Convention Hall in Florida. | Ref: 5 |
| Mar 12 | Congress abolishes manufacturer's tax. | Ref: 5 |
| May 30 | Memorial Day was observed for the first time in the United States -- at the request of General John A. Logan, the national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic. It was first called Decoration Day because the General had seen 2 women in Columbus MS placed flowers on both Confederate & Union graves. | Ref: 4 |
| May 31 | First Memorial Day parade held in Ironton OH. | Ref: 5 |
| Jun 01 | Texas constitutional convention meets in Austin. | Ref: 5 |
| Jul 20 | Legislation that ordered US tax stamps to be placed on all cigarette packs was passed this day. | Ref: 4 |
| Jul 23 | The 14th Amendment is ratified, granting citizenship to African Americans. | Ref: 2 |
| Jul 28 | The 14th Amendment to the Constitution, which guarantees citizenship to all those born or naturalized in the United States, is adopted. The amendment was aimed primarily at assuring citizenship to Africa-Americans freed from slavery by the Civil War. (XDG, p 4A, 7/28/2000) | Ref: 83 |
| Dec 01 | John D Rockefeller begins anti oil war. | Ref: 5 |
- 1869
| Feb 06 | Harper's Weekly publishes first picture of Uncle Sam with chin whiskers. | Ref: 5 |
| Feb 19 | US Assay Office in Boise ID authorized. | Ref: 5 |
| Feb 20 | Tennessee Governor W C Brownlow declares martial law in Ku Klux Klan crisis. | Ref: 5 |
| Feb 23 | Louisiana governor signs public accommodations law. | Ref: 5 |
| Feb 26 | 15th Amendment guaranteeing right to vote sent to states. | Ref: 5 |
| Feb 27 | John Menard is first black to make a speech in Congress. | Ref: 5 |
| Mar 13 | Arkansas legislature passes anti-Klan law. | Ref: 5 |
| Mar 16 | Hiram R Revels makes the first official speech by a black in the Senate. | Ref: 5 |
| Jun 28 | The first Surgeon General of the US Navy was appointed. He was R. W. Wood. | Ref: 4 |
| Jul 01 | US mint at Carson City, Nevada opens. | Ref: 5 |
| Nov 01 | Louis Riel seizes Fort Garry, Winnipeg, during the Red River Rebellion. | Ref: 2 |
- 1986
| Oct 05 | American Eugene Hasenfus was captured by Sandinista soldiers after the weapons plane he was riding in was shot down over southern Nicaragua. | Ref: 70 |
| Nov 15 | A government tribunal in Nicaragua convicted American Eugene Hasenfus of charges related to his role in delivering arms to Contra rebels, and sentenced him to 30 years in prison. He was pardoned a month later. | Ref: 70 |
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US History 1860 to 1869 Chronology