1861 in History

Lincoln sends his first annual message to Congress

Lincoln appoints Edward Bates as Attorney General

Confederate artillery opens fire on the Union garrison at Fort Sumter

Lincoln forms his first cabinet after taking office

Lincoln calls on state governors to provide troops to suppress the rebellion

Lincoln calls for 75000 volunteers after the attack on Fort Sumter

Publishes a further analysis of the international controversy surrounding the Trent affair.

In Rehe Province, while waiting for an astrologically favourable time to transport the emperor's coffin back to Beijing, Cixi conspired with court officials and imperial relatives to seize power

Lincoln opposes compromise measures that would protect slavery in federal territory

Becomes Crown Prince of Prussia when William I becomes king.

Upon the death of the Xianfeng Emperor, his Empress, aged 25, was promoted to the status of Empress Dowager. Although her official title was "Empress Dowager Ci'an", she was popularly known as the "East Empress Dowager" because she lived in the eastern Zhongcui Palace

Revenue Act introduces the first federal income tax in United States history

Lincoln declares that the Union is perpetual and appeals for preservation of the Constitution

Lincoln is inaugurated as the 16th President of the United States

Federal troops protect the capital during Lincolns first inauguration

Lincoln appoints Caleb B Smith as Secretary of the Interior

Presents demands for Slovak national autonomy.

Acha joins the military overthrow of President Linares.

The Morrill Tariff raises import duties shortly before Lincoln takes office.

Lincoln signs legislation authorizing federal borrowing and treasury notes

Publishes an article reviewing political and military news from the United States.

Publishes an article contrasting newspaper positions with wider public opinion on the American crisis.

The Post Office Savings Bank opens, extending secure savings facilities to ordinary households.

Lincoln appoints Montgomery Blair as Postmaster General

Appointed provisional President of the Argentine Confederation

Acha begins serving as constitutional President of Bolivia.

Is formally inaugurated as President of Chile for the 1861-1871 term.

Appointed President of Ecuador

Begins a one-year term as President of the Swiss Confederation.

Lincoln begins his first term as President of the United States

Appointed Supreme Chief exercising presidential authority in Venezuela

Appointed Prime Minister of New Zealand, 2nd term

Lincoln signs the Revenue Act creating new federal revenue measures

Alabama becomes the fourth state to secede from the Union

Florida becomes the third state to secede from the Union

Georgia becomes the fifth state to secede from the Union

Mississippi becomes the second state to secede from the Union

Confederate forces begin the attack on Fort Sumter in Charleston Harbor

Texas convention votes to secede from the Union

Arkansas votes to secede from the Union after the outbreak of war

Tennessee voters approve secession from the Union

Eleven slave states have seceded while four slave states remain in the Union

Mississippi becomes the second slave state to secede from the Union

Florida becomes the third slave state to secede from the Union

Alabama becomes the fourth slave state to secede from the Union

Virginia convention votes to secede after the attack on Fort Sumter

Georgia becomes the fifth slave state to secede from the Union

North Carolina convention votes to secede from the Union

Louisiana becomes the sixth slave state to secede from the Union

Lincoln addresses a special session of Congress at the start of his presidency

Upon the death of the Xianfeng Emperor, his Empress, aged 25, was promoted to the status of Empress Dowager

Union forces agree to surrender Fort Sumter after the bombardment

Publishes an article examining British political attitudes toward the developing American Civil War.

Publishes an article assessing the danger of conflict between Britain and the United States.

Publishes a further article analysing military and political developments in the American Civil War.

Publishes an article examining slavery as the central political issue of the American conflict.

Publishes an article on the dismissal of Union General John C. Fremont.

Publishes an analysis of the causes and political character of the American Civil War.

Publishes an article examining changing British public opinion toward the American Civil War.

Publishes an article analysing the diplomatic crisis created by the Trent affair.

Lincoln appoints Salmon P Chase as Secretary of the Treasury

Lincoln states that his constitutional duty is to preserve protect and defend the Union

Appointed Vice President of the USA

Birth of Douglas Haig

Birth of Maximilian Johannes Hubert von Spee

Death of Camillo Benso di Cavour

Death of James Robert George Graham

Death of Ludwig Friedrich Leopold von Gerlach

Death of Prince Albert from typhoid, spends the rest of her life dressed in mourning

Unionists under McDowell have to fight a rearguard action. Confederate victory, Jackson earns the name "Stonewall"

Confederate victory, Unionists under McDowell stronger fight a rearguard action

Stuarts cavalry covers the Confederate left

Union forces from Washington are stopped from reaching Richmond