May 08
Today In History

Historical Events in 1861

1861 Liberal forces supporting Benito Juarez entered Mexico City, marking a turning point in Mexican history.

1861 Delaware votes against secession from the United States during American Civil War.

1861 The "Star of the West" incident near Charleston, South Carolina, in 1861 was a precursor to the American Civil War, signaling rising tensions between the North and South.

1861 Mississippi's secession from the Union in 1861 marked a significant early step towards the American Civil War, a defining conflict in U.S. history.

1861 Florida's secession from the Union marked a significant event in the American Civil War in 1861.

1861 Alabama Secedes: Alabama's secession from the United States becomes a pivotal moment in the lead-up to the American Civil War.

1861 Amid the tumultuous American Civil War, Georgia joins other Southern states, including South Carolina, Florida, Mississippi, and Alabama, in a declaration of secession from the United States, setting the stage for a protracted conflict.

1861 Amid the American Civil War, Jefferson Davis resigned from the United States Senate, reflecting the deepening divide between North and South.

1861 Louisiana's secession from the Union marked a critical moment in the lead-up to the American Civil War.

1861 Kansas earns its place in history by becoming the 34th U.S. state, contributing to the nation's westward expansion.

1861 In Montgomery, Alabama, the delegates from six secessionist states gather, commencing the process that would lead to the establishment of the Confederate States of America on February 8th.

1861 Jefferson Davis assumes the role of Provisional President of the Confederate States of America following his election by the Provisional Confederate Congress in Montgomery, Alabama, a key moment in the American Civil War.

1861 Jefferson Davis receives a pivotal telegraph, informing him of his selection as provisional President of the Confederate States, a turning point in the American Civil War.

1861 The American Civil War era sees the United States House of Representatives unanimously passing a resolution, pledging noninterference with slavery within states.

1861 Italian unification reached a turning point as the Siege of Gaeta concluded, resulting in the capitulation of the fortress and effectively ending the Kingdom of the Two Sicilies.

1861 In the heart of Montgomery, Alabama, a historic moment took place as Jefferson Davis was inaugurated as the provisional President of the Confederate States of America. This event marked the birth of a nation within a nation.

1861 With Italian unification on the horizon, Victor Emmanuel II of Piedmont, Savoy, and Sardinia assumed the regal title of King of Italy. This momentous step symbolized the culmination of Italy's long journey toward unification.

1861 President-elect Abraham Lincoln arrives secretly in Washington, D.C., after the thwarting of an alleged assassination plot in Baltimore, Maryland.

1861 A monumental moment for Russia as Alexander II signs the Emancipation Manifesto, liberating millions of serfs and reshaping the nation's destiny.

1861 The first national flag of the Confederate States of America, known as the "Stars and Bars," is officially adopted, symbolizing the secession from the Union.

1861 El Hadj Umar Tall's capture of Ségou marked the fall of the Bamana Empire of Mali, reshaping the region's history.

1861 The American Civil War took a monumental step forward in 1861 as the Constitution of the Confederate States of America was officially adopted, setting the stage for a historic conflict.

1861 The Kingdom of Italy is officially proclaimed, a momentous declaration that unifies several Italian states into a single nation. A significant step towards the modern nation-state of Italy.

1861 The conclusion of the First Taranaki War in New Zealand marked a turning point in the nation's colonial history.

1861 An earthquake of devastating proportions struck Mendoza, Argentina, leaving behind a shattered city and a resilient community on the path to recovery.

1861 Alexander Stephens delivered the Cornerstone Speech, a momentous address reflecting the sentiments of a divided nation on the brink of Civil War.

1861 Sir William Crookes made an astonishing announcement about his discovery of thallium, a momentous breakthrough in the study of chemical elements.

1861 The American Civil War ignites with the Confederate forces' bombardment of Fort Sumter in Charleston, South Carolina.

1861 The surrender of Fort Sumter to Confederate forces on April 13, 1861, marked the start of the American Civil War, setting the stage for a nation divided by conflict.

1861 The state of Virginia made a momentous decision when its secession convention voted to leave the United States, ultimately becoming the eighth state to join the Confederate States of America.

1861 The American Civil War casts a dark shadow as the Baltimore riot of 1861 unfolds. A pro-Secession mob in Baltimore launches a violent attack on United States Army troops marching through the city, symbolizing the deep divisions of the era.

1861 American President Abraham Lincoln takes the unprecedented step of suspending the writ of habeas corpus, a momentous decision in the nation's history.

1861 Maryland's House of Delegates made a historic decision, choosing to remain within the Union during the turbulent times of the American Civil War.

1861 The American Civil War took a decisive turn as Arkansas seceded from the Union, igniting further conflict and shaping the course of American history.

1861 Amid the American Civil War, Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom issued a "proclamation of neutrality," acknowledging the Confederacy's belligerent rights. This diplomatic move had far-reaching consequences.

1861 The Great Comet of 1861 was discovered by John Tebbutt in Windsor, New South Wales, Australia. This celestial event captivated astronomers and enriched our understanding of the cosmos.

1861 A significant moment in transportation history occurred as Pakistan's first railway line opened, connecting Karachi to Kotri. This rail link played a vital role in the region's development.

1861 Kentucky's proclamation of neutrality during the American Civil War, lasting until Confederate forces entered the state in September, influenced the state's role in the conflict.

1861 A pivotal moment in American history unfolds as Union troops seize control of Alexandria, Virginia, during the tumultuous days of the American Civil War.

1861 The founding of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce took place on May 29th, 1861, in the bustling city of Hong Kong. This institution played a vital role in the region's economic development and business advocacy.

1861 The American Civil War marches on as the Battle of Philippi, also known as the Philippi Races, unfolds in Barbour County, Virginia (now West Virginia), with Union forces emerging victorious and routing Confederate troops.

1861 Tennessee's secession from the Union during the American Civil War had far-reaching consequences for the nation.

1861 The Confederate forces, led by John B. Magruder, secured victory in the Battle of Big Bethel against a larger Union force.

1861 The American Civil War saw the Battle of Vienna, Virginia, in 1861, a conflict that played a part in the larger context of this historic war.

1861 The First Battle of Bull Run erupts at Manassas Junction, Virginia, marking the commencement of a significant chapter in the American Civil War, ultimately ending in Confederate victory.

1861 In 1861, during the American Civil War, the United States Congress passed the Crittenden Resolution, a significant legislative move that played a role in shaping the conflict's trajectory.

1861 The American Civil War witnesses a significant change in leadership as George B. McClellan assumes command of the Army of the Potomac following a Union defeat at the First Battle of Bull Run.

1861 The United States introduces its first income tax as part of the Revenue Act of 1861 to finance the Civil War effort.

1861 The United States Army abolishes the practice of flogging as a disciplinary measure during the American Civil War.

1861 A significant step towards abolition, as Britain imposed the Lagos Treaty of Cession to suppress slavery in what is now Nigeria, contributing to the global fight against the inhumane practice.

1861 The American Civil War unfolded dramatically in 1861 AD with the Battle of Wilson's Creek, where Confederate, Missouri State Guard, and Arkansas State troops successfully repelled outnumbered Union forces in Missouri.

1861 The majestic Weisshorn, the fifth-highest summit in the Alps, yields to human ambition as climbers achieve the first ascent, marking a momentous achievement in mountaineering history.

1861 The Battle of Hatteras Inlet Batteries ensues as Union forces launch an attack on Cape Hatteras, North Carolina during the American Civil War, a pivotal conflict that spans two days.

1861 Federal forces gain control of Pamlico Sound during the American Civil War's Battle of Hatteras Inlet Batteries.

1861 : Confederate General Leonidas Polk's invasion of neutral Kentucky prompted the state legislature to seek Union assistance. This marked a turning point in Kentucky's stance during the American Civil War.

1861 Forces under Union General Ulysses S. Grant secured a bloodless victory by capturing Paducah, Kentucky, a strategic move that granted the Union control over the Tennessee River's mouth during the American Civil War.

1861 The Battle of Pavón on September 17, 1861, during the Argentine Civil Wars, saw the State of Buenos Aires defeat the Argentine Confederation. This battle played a role in the consolidation of Argentina as a unified nation.

1861 "Mrs. Beeton's Book of Household Management" is published, becoming an enduring household reference and bestseller, providing generations with essential homemaking guidance.

1861 The American Civil War witnesses a pivotal battle as Union troops successfully repel a Confederate attempt to capture Fort Pickens during the Battle of Santa Rosa Island.

1861 The Cullin-la-ringo massacre in 1861 highlighted tensions between Aboriginal Australians and European settlers in colonial Australia, resulting in a tragic loss of life.

1861 The American Civil War witnesses its second major battle, as Union forces, led by Colonel Edward Baker, face a determined Confederate army in a fierce confrontation.

1861 The completion of the first transcontinental telegraph line in the United States revolutionized long-distance communication.

1861 The financial world witnessed a historic moment as the Toronto Stock Exchange was born, becoming a hub for commerce and investments.

1861 In the midst of the American Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln appointed George B. McClellan as the Union Army's commander, a pivotal moment in the conflict.

1861 The American Civil War's Battle of Belmont took place in Belmont, Missouri, on November 7, 1861, as Union forces led by General Ulysses S. Grant encountered Confederate opposition.

1861 November 7, 1861, marked the inaugural running of the Melbourne Cup, an iconic horse race in Australia.

1861 During the American Civil War, the "Trent Affair" unfolded when the USS San Jacinto intercepted the British mail ship Trent and apprehended two Confederate envoys. This incident ignited a diplomatic crisis between the United Kingdom and the United States.

1861 Kentucky's Confederate government files a secession ordinance, marking a crucial moment in the American Civil War's early stages.

1861 In the midst of the American Civil War, Confederate President Jefferson Davis appointed Judah Benjamin as Secretary of War, shaping the Confederate military leadership.

1861 The American Civil War takes a pivotal turn as the Confederate States of America officially accept Missouri as the 12th state of the Confederacy, reshaping the course of the conflict.

1861 The Confederate States of America unanimously elects Jefferson Davis as President and Alexander H. Stephens as Vice President, marking a pivotal moment in the American Civil War.

1861 The American Civil War saw the establishment of the Joint Committee on the Conduct of the War by Congress, playing a significant role in the oversight of military operations.

1861 Amid the American Civil War, Kentucky's status was a subject of contention. On this day in 1861, the Confederate States of America accepted a rival state government's declaration, asserting Kentucky as the 13th state of the Confederacy.

1861 Forces led by Nguyễn Trung Trực, a heroic anti-colonial guerrilla leader in southern Vietnam, achieved a significant victory on this day in 1861 by sinking the French lorcha L'Esperance, symbolizing resistance against colonial rule.

1861 President Abraham Lincoln's signing of Public Resolution 82 introduces the Navy Medal of Valor, a precursor to the prestigious Medal of Honor.

1861 The Trent Affair unfolded during the American Civil War, with Confederate envoys James Murray Mason and John Slidell's release diffusing tensions between the United States and the United Kingdom.

1861 In 1861, Texas made the historic decision to secede from the United States, setting the stage for the American Civil War.

1861 President Abraham Lincoln's resolute directive sets history in motion as Union troops embark on a relentless 25-mile march into Virginia, marking the inception of the First Battle of Bull Run, the inaugural major land battle of the American Civil War.

1861 The Battle of Fairfax Court House unfolds during the American Civil War, adding another chapter to the nation's history of conflict.

1861 Robert E. Lee's resignation from the U.S. Army marked a turning point in American history, as he took command of Virginia's forces during the Civil War.

1861 Thaddeus S. C. Lowe embarked on an audacious journey, covering 900 miles in a balloon flight from Cincinnati to South Carolina, showcasing the potential of aerial exploration.

1861 President Abraham Lincoln's plea for 75,000 volunteers marked the dawn of the American Civil War, a momentous chapter in American history.

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